For the 36 percent of Americans that are renters, the virtual national business shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is hitting hard.

With an estimated 10 to 20 million people out of work, innumerable citizens are or will soon be struggling to pay their rent on the first or 15th of the month.

Housing is the No. 1 monthly expense for most people. So, amid the spread of this novel coronavirus, rent payments may be difficult to come by.
 

If you're having trouble paying your rent — or fear you soon will be — you can follow these steps to meet your lease obligations.

Communicate with your landlord if you can't pay your rent

For many, even the combination of unemployment compensation and government assistance isn't enough to cover the rent along with other bills. The best plan is to discuss your situation with your landlord or property manager and come to an agreement together. And regardless of what you need or the solution you may be able to come to with them, the first step is to be honest, open and upfront with them.
 

And your best course of action is to get ahead of the problem. Don't wait until your rent is due to spring your need for help. Give your landlord or property manager as much notice as you can, which gives them more time to put a plan into place and also shows your willingness to follow any agreement and that you're acting in good faith.

Of course, if possible, do all this by email or phone. Don't make an unnecessary trip to the property manager's office if you can avoid it, for your safety and theirs. Chances are, they are working remotely anyway.
 

Ask if you can restructure your payments

The most feasible arrangement to offer your property manager is a reasonable payment plan. Present them directly with a plan based on your current needs and limitations.

• Show your need by providing documentation or proof of the severity of your financial situation. The more you have the better, whether it's a memo from your employer indicating the length of your layoff or a copy of your unemployment compensation application. Don't be ashamed of needing help. Millions of Americans are in the same exact situation as you are right now.
• Let your landlord or property manager know how much you can reasonably pay now and how much you'll be able to pay over the next month or two. Unless you're in dire straits, you should offer to pay at least some of your rent. If you offer something, they're more likely to agree to your plan.
• Give them a specific date when you'll be paying back the remainder, along with full payment of that month. Stick to that date. If you can't, discuss an extension with your landlord as early as you can.
• Provide all of this in writing, signed and awaiting their countersignature. Make it as easy for them as possible.
• Assure them that this is only temporary until the crisis is over and that you do not anticipate this happening again.

There's a chance the landlord will request a late fee to be paid at the time of settlement. Feel free to ask that it be waived if you're a good tenant who has previously always paid on time. Your landlord might also present a counteroffer.

Know before you go in exactly how much you can afford and be clear about your limits. And if they're not open to rent restructuring, ask them what solutions they may be willing to offer. All apartment communities will be handling this situation in a slightly different way, so don't assume that this your only option or demand that your property manager accommodate you.

• Related: Sample Letter: Asking Your Landlord to Lower Your Rent

Have empathy for your landlord

We might think of our landlords as giant corporations getting rich off of our rents. But the truth is, almost half of rental properties are individually owned, mom and pop landlords and people just like us investing in real estate.

They're also under stress from the coronavirus crisis with property taxes, insurance and mortgages coming due, repairs and upkeep to make and property managers and maintenance staff salaries to pay, with rent their only source of income. Even large rental companies will feel the pinch as they have difficulty covering expenses, utilities and mortgages.

Most landlords want to help you in this time of need, but they aren't immune to the economy themselves. Be kind, have empathy and be patient with your landlord or property manager. Absolutely avoid making demands because you are asking them for help.

And don't take advantage of the situation. If you can afford your rent, keep paying it. That will only lead to them being able to assist other tenants and staff.
 

What if your landlord can't or won't help?

If your landlord is not willing or not able to help restructure your payments or offer any rent relief, you do have some other options.

1. Apply for rental assistance

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's website offers links to a number of helpful resources for rental assistance, such as state or local financial assistance programs.

As well, the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities may also be sources of rental support. You can also contact the United Way by dialing 2-1-1 to be connected to local organizations that may be able to help.

And if you or anyone in your household is a veteran, HUD and the U.S. Veterans Administration has programs that can help with rent.

2. Take out a loan

If you have solid credit and can prove that despite the current crisis you're a trusted recipient, you can turn to your bank and apply for a short-term loan. Banks will take into account your financial history and may be willing to loan you enough money to take care of rent and expenses.

Do you own a small business? Then you can apply for a Small Business Administration Disaster Loan. These loans are not only available for you to help keep your business afloat or pay employees but to keep your home and bills paid, as well. And through the Paycheck Protection Program portion of the federal government's stimulus package, additional types of businesses can qualify for small business loans.

3. Take advantage of the CARES Act

The CARES Act, the $2.2 trillion stimulus package passed last month, is offering a cash payment to most every American. The majority of those individuals making under $75,000 (or $112,500 as head of household) will receive a stimulus check of $1,200, plus an additional $500 per household with a dependent (a bit less for those making up to $99,000 individually or $146,000 as head of household). These payments have already started appearing in some bank accounts.

And for Americans who have lost their job due to the coronavirus crisis, the CARES Act is also providing an additional $600 a week for those receiving unemployment compensation through their state during the shutdown, on top of their regular payment, for up to 39 weeks.

Some states are also offering even more assistance to their citizens who lease. For example, Delaware is providing a payment of up to $1,500 for renters who have lost their income. Be sure to check if your state or city is offering similar programs.

The federal and state governments are encouraging Americans to use this stimulus money to help pay bills, including rent.

What shouldn't you do?

It's understandable that desperate times call for desperate measures. And for many people, this may be their first time in this sort of situation. Even if you can't figure out other options, don't put yourself in a situation where you kick the can down the road that will only make things worse.

• Don't send your landlord a check you know will bounce. You won't accomplish anything but angering your landlord and possibly setting yourself up for future eviction. And worse, you'll still owe the money.
• Don't just ignore the problem in hopes that it will go away. No one knows how this crisis will play out and the last thing you want to do is have unpaid bills and no recourse for how to resolve them. Your rent isn't going anywhere, even if you ignore it.
• Avoid turning to payday lenders and car title loan companies to find quick cash. In the end, you'll be paying much more in the long run and putting yourself at risk of damaging your credit.
• We've mentioned this a few times already, but don't demand that your landlord or property manager needs to help you. They do want to work with you, but they aren't going to let you live rent-free.
• Lastly, and hopefully it goes without saying, absolutely don't skip out on your rent. If you need assistance, speak up sooner than later.

Are you going to be evicted if you can't pay?

If you can't pay your rent on time due to income loss related to the coronavirus shutdown, are you in danger of being evicted? Most likely, no.

The CARES Act includes a freeze on evictions of tenants for non-payment in buildings financed by federally-backed mortgages (like those subsidized by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and HUD). However, this protection only applies to about a quarter of all renters, with the rest funded by banks and private lenders.

For those not covered in the stimulus, most states and a number of individual municipalities have issued their own stays of eviction, many in place between one and three months. Keep in mind, a few locales do require some type of proof you have suffered a loss of income due to the shutdown.

But just because your city or state has passed a moratorium on eviction doesn't mean all landlords are aware of the new rules. If your landlord does attempt an eviction and you believe you're protected, check with the local sheriff, who in most cities is the one that carries out evictions and knows the temporary restrictions.

Eventually, you have to pay

Be aware: Just because you're a beneficiary of an eviction moratorium, doesn't mean you never have to pay. These provisions are deferments, not cancellations. Just because you can't be evicted now, doesn't mean you can't after the crisis has ended. If you didn't pay knowing you couldn't be evicted, plan to pay back any months you didn't pay once the situation has normalized.
 

However, there are a number of housing rights groups advocating a movement to end rental obligations during the crisis, most notably under the #CancelRent banner. The effort is requesting the federal government subsidize property owners so rent can be exempted. While unlikely, renters should keep an eye on the story.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional financial or legal advice as they may deem it necessary.

The post What to Do if You Can’t Afford Rent Payments Due to Coronavirus? appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

Coronavirus has made major changes to how we live our daily lives.

While before, most of us left every day to go to work, school or social gatherings, now, we're spending all that time at home. This means more use for everything in your home, which can translate to larger bills.

Lights are on in rooms more often. There's more need to regulate the temperature of your home. You're also probably running the dishwasher and doing more loads of laundry than ever before.
These activities all ramp up your utility use which can lead to higher water and electricity bills. To avoid spending more at a time where you potentially have less coming in, here are some handy tips for keeping utility bills at bay.
 

Ways to cut back on your utility bills

In 2018, the U.S. used 3.95 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity according to Statista. This is a huge number when you consider that the average refrigerator only uses 161 kilowatt-hours per month. Saving on utility bills in your home means making small changes to limit electricity and water use.
 

1. Swap light bulbs

When in doubt about how to save on utility bills, inspect your light bulbs. If you're not using compact fluorescents (CFLs), it's time to make the switch. These energy-efficient bulbs use significantly less electricity and can save you close to $50 per year on your electric bill. They also last longer, so you're buying less bulbs and saving some money there, as well.

Don't forget to make these bulbs work even harder to save you money by switching off the lights whenever you leave a room.

2. Avoid peak hours

Using large appliances like your dishwasher or dryer during the hottest time of the day means your home is working harder. The extra heat taxes your air conditioning, already trying to cool down your home. To give your AC a break, and save a little on your electric bill, try running these types of appliances early in the morning or after the sun goes down at night.

3. Unplug electronics when not in use

Energy vampires are those appliances that steal a lot of electricity even when they're not in use. Avoid these power suckers by unplugging appliances when you're done with them. The top offenders include:

• Cell phone chargers
• TVs
• Microwaves
• Coffeemakers
• Printers
• Video game consoles

4. Adjust your thermostat

Keeping your thermostat running efficiently helps save electricity. “The closer the temperature is on the thermostat to the temperature outside, the less your air conditioner has to work and the lower your energy bill will be," says Jeffrey Orloff from The Spruce. On average, this means 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the warmer months, and 68 in the winter.

5. Clean and close vents

Keeping your air vents dust-free helps them run more efficiently, saving you money. Twice a month, use a duster to wipe away any buildup. You should also make sure there isn't anything blocking them.

Additionally, you can close vents in rooms you don't frequent, like a guest room, in order to direct airflow to where it needs to be most. Sending air conditioning into an empty room just wastes electricity.

6. Load up your dishwasher

Treat your dishwasher like a game of Tetris. How much can you fit before it's actually full? Doing this means fewer loads, which translates to less water.

7. Do big loads of laundry

The same rule applied to dishwashers works for your washing machine. Waiting until you have a full load of laundry to wash clothes saves water. If you wash everything in cold, it's OK to combine lights and darks, making it easier to fill the machine before you run out of clothing.

This also helps save electricity since you'll run your dryer less, as well. Just remember to leave a little bit of space for the clothes to slosh around and actually get clean.

This is also a good idea if you need to go to a public laundry facility right now, because fewer loads of laundry mean less time spent in common areas.
 

8. Take shorter showers

Cutting four minutes off your shower each time adds up. It can save almost 4,000 gallons of water per year, which is close to $100. It also helps decrease other utility bills since you're using less energy to heat up all that water.

9. Check for leaks

Small plumbing issues may not feel like an extra expense, but you're paying for every drop of water. If you notice a leaky faucet, now is the time to address it. It's also a good idea to inspect your pipes and make sure there aren't any hidden leaks. You'll also avoid water damage.

Average utility bill costs

While it's possible to estimate what your utility bills will cost in a regular month, it's hard to know how much your usage has increased while at home as a result of the coronavirus. It's best to assume your utility bills will go up.

“If you save your bill stubs, you can get an idea how much you spend in a typical month," says Mint. From there, estimate your average spending and then work a little more into your monthly budget to avoid sticker shock when your first coronavirus utility bill comes.

How much more you need will depend on a few factors like how energy efficient your home is and whether or not you're taking steps to conserve energy whenever possible.

Keep those utility bills low during coronavirus isolation

While it's impossible to say you can maintain your average utility bills when you're spending more time at home, you can keep the increase to a minimum. Taking small steps, doing small things to cut back on your electricity and water consumption can help keep these pricey bills within your budget, even in this uncertain time.

Lesly Gregory
April 22, 2020

The post How to Save on Utility Bills During Coronavirus appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

So many shelves in our grocery stores and pharmacies have been empty for weeks.

No bread? No problem. Flour. Yeast. We got this.

We're nothing if not resourceful. But when it comes to that empty shelf once full of hand sanitizers, not so fast.

There's a lot to consider, and while there may be a slew of DIY hand sanitizer “recipes" online, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), among other experts and health agencies, stresses there's a lot of room for error in regard to mixing the right elements in the right proportions to create a hand sanitizer that's safe and effective.

Here's why you should leave the creation of hand sanitizer to the professionals and what to do to stay safe right now.
 

Clean, disinfect, sanitize: What's the difference?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it's uncertain exactly how long the virus that causes COVID-19 lasts on surfaces but studies suggest it could be anywhere from a few hours to several days. That's why it's important to clean your hands and keep them away from your eyes, mouth or nose.

Cleaning doesn't necessarily kill germs, but it will reduce the amount of all types of germs and chemicals, which in turn helps to lower the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs, but you're not necessarily cleaning. Ideally, disinfect after you clean to help lower risk of spread.

Sanitizing, according to the CDC, “lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection."

No room for error

Professionally manufactured hand sanitizer is made of alcohol, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide and sterile water mixed together in particular proportions as determined by health agencies such as the WHO or FDA.

For instance, FDA guidelines state the alcohol should not be less than 94.9 percent ethanol by volume. The WHO recommends a formula with alcohol (ethanol) of 80 percent by volume “in an aqueous solution." Using improper ingredients in the wrong proportions means your DIY hand sanitizer won't be effective.

No agency recommends adding other ingredients such as aloe or essential oils, as has been seen on some DIY options that have floated around the web. (Many of these have been removed, like a popular Facebook post touting a recipe using Tito's vodka. In the face of this, Tito's announced it would make its own authorized hand sanitizer.)

Additives can impact the quality and potency of the hand sanitizer. Also, additives may improve the hand sanitizer's smell or taste, which could attract and harm children who might ingest it.

Making a mistake creating hand sanitizer in your kitchen isn't like putting in too much salt in a recipe. The stakes are higher. Too much alcohol can irritate or burn the skin. You'll be inhaling hazardous chemicals during the creation process. And, if you cut corners or mix incorrectly, it might not effectively get rid of the microbes you want to remove.

Hand sanitizer best practices

The only reason to use hand sanitizer is if you have no access to soap and water. And, those times are few and far between, especially while we're spending so much more time in our houses and apartments.

Plus, for hand sanitizer to be most effective, it must be used properly, according to the CDC:

• Cover all surfaces of the hands and rub in the hand sanitizer until it's dry
• Clean hands first; using hand sanitizer on hands that are greasy or dirty can lower its effectiveness

Soap and water best

Ultimately, hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizers at removing certain kinds of germs. The soap — and no need for antibacterial soap — will lift away oil and microbes, and the water washes them away.

Get thee to a sink.

The post Does DIY Hand Sanitizer Work? appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

Wanting to get some fresh air this weekend? Plan on staying in your own backyard. Starting on Thursday at 8 p.m., all City of Austin parks and trails will be closed due to the annual spike in visitors they get during Easter. This is all part of the city’s plan to continuously #flattenthecurve and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Greenbelt, Barton Springs, and The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike are all among the numerous green spaces that will be barred from public use until Monday at 8 a.m.

Even beyond this weekend, Austin’s Trail Foundation is urging everyone to stay off the Hike-and-Bike for as long as possible. “Our trail user data shows us that usage has not decreased since the Mayor’s Stay-at-Home order,” they recently wrote on Instagram. “We love the Trail, but unfortunately it just can’t organically and continuously accommodate the high usage it is experiencing, while also accommodating a safe 6′ distance from others.”

The post The City of Austin is Closing All Parks and Trails Easter Weekend appeared first on Juniper Springs A Concierge Community Blog.

Preventing coronavirus in your apartment

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has offered a number of reference articles and official statements on how to best protect yourself and your family.

But for apartment dwellers, those with common spaces, mailbox clusters, lobbies, trash chutes and a plethora of door handles, keeping safe and practicing prevention habits is a bit more difficult. From your own personal hygiene to how to manage your apartment to what to expect from your landlord, here are all the tips, suggestions and instructions straight from the CDC just for renters and apartment tenants.

1. Wash your hands often

Wash your hands after you touch another person or a common surface. Wash your hands before and after you touch or prepare food. Wash your hands after using the restroom. Wash your hands after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose. Wash your hands when you get home from being out.

Wash by covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. When you wash, rub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Experts have recommended singing “Happy Birthday" twice. If you're tired of that, try other songs with 20-second choruses like:

• “Take on Me" by A-ha
• “Jolene" by Dolly Parton
• “Raspberry Beret" by Prince
• “Truth Hurts" by Lizzo
• “Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees (like that CPR scene from “The Office")

If soap and water are not available, disinfect your hands by utilizing a 60 to 95 percent alcohol hand sanitizer and following the listed instructions.

2. Avoid close contact with people who are sick

This seems obvious. But since you never know who is sick, minimize contact in general, as well. Spread out on the bus or subway or in line. Touch elbows instead of shaking hands or fist-bumping, or politely decline to touch at all. Try to avoid touching common surfaces others touch in public places and in your apartment building or common areas as best you can. Don't share food or drinks.

3. Avoid touching your face

No matter how hard you try, you're going to touch unsanitary surfaces or people. To prevent infecting yourself, do your best to refrain from touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as these are the main entry points for disease.

4. Cover your mouth

If you must cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue, then throw the tissue into a trash can that has a closed cover. The same goes for blowing your nose. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve like you're doing “The Dab," not into your hands.

5. Maybe forgo that face mask

According to the CDC, people who are not sick (or don't feel sick) should not wear protective face masks, because they're not effective in keeping out the very small virus. Face masks are only for people who are already symptomatic to prevent them from spreading the disease to others. The only exception is for healthcare workers or other close-contact care providers.

6. Clean and disinfect

Keep your apartment neat, clean and organized to maintain a healthy environment. Clean regularly and sanitize often using items like Lysol spray and Clorox wipes on “high touch" surfaces including countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, nightstands, bathroom fixtures, toilets, refrigerator handles, kitchen faucets, light switches, TV remotes, cell phones, computer keyboards and tablets.

7. Stock up but don't hoard

While unlikely, it's possible you may wind up quarantined in your apartment, or even just sick and self-quarantining. For that scenario, which shouldn't last longer than two weeks, you should stock up (but not hoard) a few basic items:

• Non-perishable items like canned meat, fish, beans, soups, broths and stews, fruits and vegetables, and canned or powdered milk
• Ready to serve items like peanut butter, jelly, crackers, nuts, trail mix, dried fruits and granola bars
• Baby food and pet food
• Bottled water, fruit juices and fluids like Pedialyte or Gatorade
• Toothpaste, toilet paper, tissues, feminine supplies, diapers, laundry detergent and disinfectant
• Hand sanitizer that's minimum 60 percent alcohol, over-the-counter cold and flu medicines and any refills of prescriptions

If you're sick or feel like you're getting sick

Even with all of the precautions, there is still a chance you'll contract the disease. Follow these steps the moment you begin to feel sick, even if it just feels like a cold.

1. Stay home

Unless it's to see your doctor or go to the hospital, stay in your apartment and don't go out. Don't go to work, school or to public areas. Try to avoid public transportation, taxicabs or rideshares. Not only will you not infect others, the more you stay at home and rest, the faster you'll recover. Utilize food and personal item delivery if necessary.

2. Separate yourself from others at home

As best you can, stay in a designated sick room and keep away from other people. Eat separately from others. If your apartment has more than one, designate a bathroom just for you. Avoid touching pets, as well. If you must feed or clean up after a pet, wash your hands before and after as detailed above.

3. Don't share household or personal items

Set aside drinking glasses, plates, silverware, sheets and blankets, towels and toiletries for your use and your use only. Clean them thoroughly with soap and water after every single use.

4. Wear a face mask

As mentioned above, only people who are already sick (or people caring for those that are) need to wear a face mask. If you're sick, wear one around other people (or pets) or if you go see your doctor.

5. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands

See above for details.

6. Clean and disinfect even more

Sanitize your apartment as explained above, but do it every day.

7. Call before going to the doctor

Keep an eye on your symptoms and seek medical attention if needed. Give them a heads up before you go to allow them to take precautions to keep others visiting their office from being infected or exposed. If you suspect you only have a cold or flu, consider a virtual doctor's visit. If you must call 9-1-1, inform them of your symptoms before they arrive, as well.

Additional sources:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Interim Guidance for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Homes and Residential Communities

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prevention & Treatment

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: How COVID-19 Spreads

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Pandemic Preparation

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