Latest stories on renters

When to Hire a Property Manager and What to Look for If You Do

Posted by Livable Content Team on May 3, 2023 4:57:04 PM

Managing a property is time-consuming, especially if you own multiple properties or live at a distance from your assets. Many property owners see their rental income as a means to enjoy their lives, rather a full-time job of maintenance and problem-solving. If you see owning property as the means to more leisure time, hiring a property manager is essential.

A professional property manager handles everything from rent collection to maintenance, making your life easier and freer, with fewer headaches. But not all owners need a property manager and not all property managers are created equal. The big questions you need to answer before making that investment are “When is it time to hire a property manager?” and “What should I look for when hiring one?”

Renter's Insurance: Covering Their Assets

Posted by Livable Content Team on Apr 6, 2023 9:11:57 AM

You’ve seen ads for rental insurance. But do you know what it covers OR if you can require tenants to get it? 

Rental insuranceis a specific type of policy that covers possessions within the home as opposed to the home itself. It is highly beneficial to your residents in the event of flood or similar disaster since you are not responsible for damage to personal possessions - only the property itself. Some property owners may requiretenants to obtain rental insurance. Even if you don’t require your residents to have renal insurance, you can advise them to get it. 

Choose Gardens Over Lawns for a Healthier Community and Planet

Posted by Livable Content Team on Mar 22, 2023 8:31:52 AM

Single-family homes, duplexes, multifamily complexes and businesses have traditionally fought for idyllic lawns with the aim of causing envy among neighbors and passersby. But at Livable, we think we have a better idea! 

It’s time to level up and consider trading the battle of lawn envy for a healthier, more colorful and more sustainable option: building a garden. Replacing lawns with gardens is a fantastic option for a better environment and overall way of living. Check out our reasons for installing a garden over the manicured grass, plus suggestions for the kind of garden you could opt for. Now is the time to start planning for an amazing garden this summer! 

Save Money On Utility Bills With This Internet-enabled device

Posted by Livable Content Team on Feb 6, 2022 9:00:00 AM

What is a Ratio Utility Billing System? (RUBS)

Simply put, RUBS divides utility bills among residents of a property based on predetermined criteria. A cost-effective solution for property owners to recoup expenditures while also proportionately sharing conservation responsibility with residents in a fair and acceptable manner. Beyond the financial benefits, conserving the Earth's natural resources is in our collective interest. 

Charging For Utilities: A Renter’s Pros And Cons

Posted by Livable Content Team on Mar 1, 2020 3:00:00 PM

At Livable we create custom utility management and cost recovery solutions for commercial and residential properties, and it seems our expertise is needed now more than ever! It used the be that the “American Dream” was synonymous with homeownership, however, Millennials don’t seem to be putting the same emphasis on buying property as previous generations, thus renting has become more the norm.

Monthly-tip

Smart saver tip of the month

Insulating water pipes is a quick and inexpensive way to lower water-heating costs. The easy upgrade reduces heat loss and allows you to lower your buildings’ water temperature setting by two to four degrees. Plus, since water doesn’t take as long to heat up, less of this precious resource is wasted waiting for faucets and showers to get to the appropriate temperature.

On smaller buildings, this is a definite DIY job that should take less than a day to complete. Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website for a comprehensive shopping list and step-by-step instructions.