Mice are some of the most invasive and annoying pests that homeowners have to deal with. They invade houses all across the country and begin to eat food that’s left out and repopulate. If you’re not careful, you can quickly get overrun by a mouse infestation. But why are mice drawn to houses in particular?

Nobody should have to live with a rodent infestation. But who’s responsibility is it to get rid of mice? And if it’s up to your landlord, can you withhold rent until the problem is fixed? Here’s what you need to know.

Waking up in the middle of the night due to strange noises can be a frightening experience. In all likelihood though, ghosts are not the producers of those odd noises. Instead, what you may be dealing with are raccoons that have taken up residence in your attic.

Water supply is not always plentiful in all parts of the country. In some places, service is unreliable and there’s a chance you’ll be greeted by a lack of running water in the morning.

It is growing harder to find places to smoke as it becomes less socially acceptable. It is common for landlords to prohibit smoking in a rental unit. In fact, many new apartment buildings are completely smoke-free. 

You’re enjoying a beautiful morning with a lovely cup of coffee when you realize that something seems amiss. You look outside and see that your car has been smashed by a fallen tree branch. Because you live in a rental property, you may wonder if your landlord is responsible for tree damage to your car.

California is arguably the most desirable place to live in the United States. With its scenic beaches, sweeping vistas and iconic cities, California is truly a one of a kind location. While there are many reasons to live in California, it is important to know some of the less desirable qualities of this state.

Overall, no homeowner budgets for repairing or replacing a septic system that fails. Installing a new septic system can range anywhere from $4,000 to upwards of $20,000 when you factor in the costs of install. When the system is not properly maintained, a number of problems can arise and rebuilding a failed septic is an expensive burden to bear.

Living together is great until problems arise. You and your boyfriend are not getting along, and now he wants you to leave his house. You have nowhere else to go and can’t afford your own place. Can your boyfriend evict you from his house?

Nobody wants to suffer property damage when they hire movers, but it happens every day. Movers try their hardest to protect your belongings, but accidents happen. However, you must prepare yourself to do whatever you can to get reimbursement when movers damage your property, such as:

Arachnophobia is one of the most common fears, and for good reason! You’d be hard-pressed to find a person who is happy to see a spider crawling around their house. Wondering whether the ant spray you have on hand will be fatal to these pests? Read on to find out!

The heat exchanger in your furnace is a group of tubes and coils. These tubes and coils heat the air that then shoots out into your home or workplace. There are many reasons why your furnace heat exchanger can go bad, and if this happens you need to act quickly.

Your air conditioner, whether it is a small window unit or a large central unit, is a complicated piece of equipment. There are many components within it that, should they stop working, can derail the entire unit from working properly.

Your old A/C system is on the fritz, so naturally, you’d call the repairman to come to fix it, right? Unfortunately, depending on how old your system is, the solution may not be that simple. If you have an air conditioning unit manufactured before 2010, you may be required to rebuild or replace it.

Nothing can make a home feel comfortable quite like a reliable HVAC system. Sometimes, that means that you need to upgrade to a new thermostat or add one. Can you have two thermostats and one AC unit?

The air quality in your home is just as important as any other necessity. Your HVAC system can determine your comfort at home, but it can also be a matter of safety. Even still, you may be unfamiliar with how a dirty home air filter can affect your home.

Using your car for a small move can be downright messy, dangerous; take several trips. Additionally, it may not be cost-effective. In this guide, we’ll break down Lowe’s truck rental’s pricing and actual rates.

It is often overwhelming to return an apartment to its original state upon moving out. Making sure everything is back in order and clean is daunting. It may be particularly frustrating then, when you have finished cleaning the house and notice the lawn is dead. This begs the question, “Can a landlord charge me for dead grass?”

Heat pumps and mini splits are both considered central HVAC units because they are able to bring heat from inside to outside in order to control indoor temperatures. However, they are not the same. Paying attention to their differences is important in selecting the type you need for your home.

Termite damage costs homeowners an estimated $5 billion a year in repairs and remediation. They can eat away at the structure of your house until there’s nothing left. In order to prevent future harm, how often should you treat your house for termites?

Honeybees, even though they do great things for the environment, may cause a lot of harm in a short amount of time to your home. You could end up paying hundreds of dollars in repairs if bees are not eradicated or relocated immediately. So, who do you reach out to? Will homeowner’s insurance cover the cost to remove the bees?

When homeowners have a furnace that works well, they’re not going to complain. Furnaces that are well-maintained can easily last 20 years or more. However, after a certain point, even the most reliable furnace will need to be replaced or repaired. If you’re like many homeowners, you probably are wondering when it makes more sense to replace rather than repair.

In order to heat your home properly, your furnace has several components that work in tandem with one another. When those components do their jobs, the air that gets sucked into your furnace is heated and then blown back out into the home.

Discovering a bed bug infestation is anyone’s worst nightmare. You might discover these pesky hitch-hiking creatures at a hotel or in your own home. Either way, it is important to start getting rid of them right away. The first step that might come to mind is washing your linens and clothing. But, is this really a sure-fire method to get rid of bed bugs? 

With every season comes its new challenges and new unwelcome house guests. In the summer, you may see tiny jumping bugs in your bathroom. These tiny bugs are called springtails, and they love to emerge all summer long.

Our furnaces are quite the piece of equipment. There are a number of components within that allow it to deliver heat into our homes, keeping us warm even when the temperatures are subzero. And just like any other type of equipment, things can go wrong.

Your water heater’s pressure relief valve is there to help keep you safe and reduce the risk of having your heater burst due to excess pressure. When you replaced your valve, you expected it to help keep your boiler safe. Instead, it just started to leak, right after you switched it out. Feeling a little lost, and wondering what gives? You aren’t alone there.

The piping in your home or business will, for the most part, do its job quietly and efficiently. That is so long as it has been properly installed first. There are many aspects to the installation process, part of which is choosing between a pipe coupling or pipe union.

Dog doors don’t dramatically affect home value. However, a dog door can decrease home value if the house is already inexpensive and has other red flags. If someone can already afford an expensive home, they won’t likely mind the cost of covering up a dog door.

When your landlord informs you he or she will be getting an appraisal you rent there are many ways to feel. You may be nervous that your landlord is selling the home you live in. Next you may wonder if one or more strangers will be entering your home, and if you have to let them in. 

Your furnace is a complicated piece of equipment. There are a variety of components within that run in tandem with one another to ensure that your home can remain comfortable and warm even when temperatures are below zero.

When you first tell people that you’re moving to Hawaii, most people will congratulate you on your new island lifestyle. Some aspects of the move are pretty obvious. You are going to have to pack up and ship your belongings to the island. However, some items aren’t as clear cut. What should you do about your car? Is it worth shipping it over, or should you buy a new one?

HVAC systems have become indispensable. After all, an HVAC system will provide cool air indoors when it’s hot outside, and then make a room warm and toasty when the temperature outside drops.

It is tempting for any builder-owner to take on DIY projects and save money. Some large projects, such as septic tank installation, are often best left to professionals. So, can a homeowner install a septic system?

Most motors are designed to run only one way, clockwise or counterclockwise. They are not made to run both ways unless it is a multidirectional motor. Any kind of motor that runs the opposite way than what is intended will not produce the effects they are supposed to. In other words, your AC will not blow cold air.

All homes and most businesses can’t do without a water heater, and this is because hot water is needed in homes and businesses for a variety of reasons. There are different kinds of water heaters available in 2021, as the days of 50-gallon-tank heaters being the norm are long over.

If you’re looking for your mobile home to count as real property, you may be required to have a permanent foundation. Having a permanent foundation will broaden your financing options and make selling your home a whole lot easier.

Getting new furniture is fun and exciting, as is moving (depending on the circumstances). But, what if you have a sofa that’s 40-inches wide? The standard clearance for a door is 36 inches wide, so would the sofa even fit through that small of an opening? If you don’t have an alternative way to get the couch in or out, like through a sliding glass door, will this be a problem?

During your regular monthly maintenance on your HVAC system, you notice something strange. Water seems to be dripping from your furnace exhaust pipe. You immediately wonder what is happening, why it is happening, and what you should do if you notice your furnace exhaust pipe dripping water.

Whether it be abrasive chemicals or a bag of charcoal, movers won’t pick up many items. That’s why it’s important to speak openly with a moving company before you hire them. Many moving companies operate similarly, and professional movers won’t move some items, such as:

It’s likely one of every homeowner’s biggest fears — termites in your house. The unsettling thing is that termites could be feasting on your house for three years before you notice visible damage. By this time, the extent of the problems can be devastating and costly, so recognizing early signs of termites is critical.

Many people choose mobile homes because they can give you convenience and the freedom to get up and go whenever you want, right? While the name suggests easy mobility, moving a mobile home does actually require a lot of effort.

In an ideal situation, your landlord would promptly respond to your texts and immediately jump on any needed repairs. Unfortunately, this type of landlord-tenant relationship sometimes seems to be few and far between. So, what can you do if you’ve made every effort to reach out and your landlord doesn’t respond?

When you move into a new rental property the most important exchange between your landlord is not the keys, but the lease. Although your keys are needed to get into your new home it is the lease that makes it legal for you to enter.

It can leave you feeling uneasy when you hear unusual sounds coming from your furnace. Some furnace sounds are normal, but they can also point to serious problems. So, you may ask, why is my furnace rattling?

During the 1970s, asbestos was banned due to the serious health risks of inhaling the fibers. Older homes and buildings may still have asbestos, and the material needs to be removed. If you find out that your rental unit has asbestos, you may be wondering if you can sue your landlord for asbestos exposure.

The air conditioner runs at a reduced speed on startup, pulling moisture from the air. That equates to a more even air conditioning experience and keeps the air from feeling thick and heavy all of the time.

Certain home appliances need cold water in order to work properly. These often include refrigerators, freezers, and humidifiers. To ensure that those appliances are working as intended, a saddle valve may be used.

Mice are household pests that are difficult to get rid of once they make your house their home.  Although not as harmful as the most harmful of household pests, the mosquito, mice come with their own hazards.  Lots of things attract mice, and these critters have a way of ingratiating themselves into your place of residence.

Buying a new home is a huge investment, and for most people, it’s the largest purchase they’ll ever make. When you put an offer on a new house, it’s wise advice to get a home inspection to protect yourself from unexpected problems and costs. But when you’re buying a new construction property, is it necessary to get a home inspection?

Spiders can understandably make anyone feel uncomfortable in their house. Not only do they look scary, but some of them, like brown recluses, are quite dangerous. You may struggle with how to get rid of spiders in your basement, but it’s quite easy.

No one loves to pay rent. Often many of life’s stresses stem from a monthly rent payment. When you gather the money and finally get the payment to your landlord out on time you may feel a rush of relief. That relief may be short-lived, however, once you see that your landlord has refused to accept your rent payment.

Termites are a nightmare for any homeowner as they can quickly destroy a house. These invasive bugs multiply quickly and mature queens can lay up to 1,000 eggs per day. Even the wind can transport termites to your house. So, should I be worried about my neighbor’s termites?

Many people are understandably afraid of spiders, especially venomous spiders. Brown recluses and black widows are the only venomous spiders in the U.S., but the black widow is the most dangerous of the two. Because of that, it’s important to be careful if you live in a state where black widows are active. So, where do black widow spiders hide?

Imagine the following scenario:  you are known for conserving water, and for as long as you lived in town, your water bills were $30 or so. Recently, a new family moved in. They have a pool, sprinklers, and everything else watery under the sun. The next month, you notice that your water bill shot up to $900. You look at your neighbors, who don’t make eye contact with you anymore. Could it be them?

In my years as a young adult, I have seen some situations where renters proved to be serious pigs. As someone who is kind of a neat freak, it makes sense to me that a landlord should require a professional cleaning once a year. I’ve even seen this in rental agreements. But, is asking you to get professional cleaning legal?

Arachnophobia refers to the irrational fear of arachnids, particularly spiders. There are roughly 100 million people in the United States that suffer from arachnophobia, and it effects 3.5 to 6.1 percent of the global population. Even if you are just mildly afraid of spiders, you’re not alone. So, if you recently spotted a spider and you’re wondering “how long will a spider stay in my room,” we’re here to help.

Heat pumps offer an alternative to central heating or furnaces. They basically take the warm area from one area and move it over to another. They are more efficient than furnaces, which burn fuel to create that heat source.

Whether you’re wanting to save money on your water bill or keep your lawn watered without breaking the bank—drilling a well is an excellent option for you. While you will incur some costs, you will save a lot in the long run. So, how much does it cost to drill a well?

Unforeseen costs are never fun surprises. When you rent an apartment, one of the benefits is often knowing that when something goes wrong you aren’t responsible for fixing it. Septic tanks are often forgotten since they reside underground, but they are there.