Raquel. Just Raquel.

26 years old Muslimah-in-training Air Nomad/Crystal Gem/Peagasister #wakandaforever Starving Author RN Catmomma Cannabis Enthusiast Anxiety Ridden Philanthropist

[bassistdrix]

Nudes would be beneficial right now to my mental health 😭😭😭

Thank you for listening to my P.S.A.

[nicolethedopefiendqueen]

Wishing you lasting sobritey and recovery for 2019.

[raquel-not-rachel]

Shout out to all those in recovery! You are loved, supported, and strong af!

[somecutething]

[niggazinmoscow]

Perfectly gay ❤️

[lavendersucculents]

When you guys have visited potential apartments, what kind of questions did you ask besides the basics like what rent and utilities include?

[dynastylnoire]

Here are questions I didn’t ask but should have: what does the basement look like?

What measures are taken to secure the building ?

Are the walls thin? Brief info of who lives in the building. Are they college kids? People that work through the day? Elderly? Is it a mix? Where does the garbage go?

Can I pay rent bi-weekly? What kind of fuses does the apartment use? (My fuse box is in the basement. If I blow a fuse I have to replace it myself. They screw until the box. All of which I didn’t know until it happend and I was sitting in the dark suddenly)

[audreynical2]

Who do I call for repairs? (If it’s a private rental) Am I allowed to paint the walls? Is there any additional storage? Do you do regular pest control?

[shovelandchampagne-deactivated2]

LAUNDRY FACILITIES Definitely ask about security Whether subletting is allowed (esp if you’re in college and might want to sublet for the summer) If you have a car, whether there’s parking/how much it costs What kind of heating/AC there is Procedure/response time for any maintenance How mail/packages are received/protected from theft (seriously people stealing your packages can be a huge problem) What kind of verification of your salary will they want, and in what circumstances will they accept a guarantor instead? Whether the apartment is furnished

Assuming you are in the middle of looking at/choosing between places: When does the lease start? Are you going to give preference to people based on when they can move in? Whether groups of a certain number of people get preference Really anything about who they prioritize for applications, it can save you a lot of trouble in trying to apply to places you’ll never get into

[werewolfau-deactivated20180321]

count the outlets, ask about recycling policies, ask if there’s a noise restriction (nothing loud after midnight, everything goes on the weekend, etc)

[bye9000-deactivated20170123]

What are the upfront fees for moving in? (1 month, brokers, 1 month security fee?)

Is there a credit check fee? (shouldn’t be over $25. shouldn’t even exist really but credit check fees at $125, 150? robbery)

Ask about the intercom system, ask about security cameras, ask about the locks on the front door. One place I looked at, the building was locked, and the broker jimmied the front door open with his business card. If the broker could do it, so could a rapist

Is there a live-in super? (godsends, heroes) If so ask to meet them. A lazy, ignorant, or uncaring super is a nightmare waiting to happen. An active, interested, proud one is excellent, even better if they’re union

How do I pay my rent? (Check, money order?) Can I pay online? (If check/money order mailed in is the only way, make sure to get receipts for sending the rent out every month!! Critical!! Keep your proof of payments made on time every time in case they get on some foul shit. Landlords are out  here to screw you and make money)

When does the lease renew? Can I negotiate a two-year option at a reduced monthly rate? Can I get $50, $100, $200 off the rent? (it doesn’t hurt to ask!!) Does the rent go up significantly after a year, two years? (Places with “introductory rents” or rent deals may do this to you… you may not be able to afford that apt once it goes up to its regular price!)

Is this apt rent-controlled or rent-stabilized? (NYC thing, godsend)

Have there ever been bed bugs in this apartment/in this building? (at least in nyc they are legally obligated to disclose this to you i believe)

What documents do they REALLY NEED for the application? (lots of places will want a former landlord recommendation letter… lots of places will also just let that shit slide if you have most of your packet together)

When is the apt available for moving in? Can I start the move-in process earlier than my lease start date? If so, will prorated rent be added onto my bill or no? (some places will nickel and dime you with that shit)

[gizkasparadise]

not something for asking the realtors, necessarily, but important rights you should be aware of as a tenant:

when and for what reasons are your landlords allowed to enter your home? how much of a notice should they give you before entering?

can the landlord make modifications to your home or apartment without your approval? to what extent?

what are the options and conditions for breaking your lease early if there’s an emergency? (this is ESPECIALLY important for anyone moving to a new state/considerable distance where you are not able to visit the apartment/home before you rent – students get taken advantage of ALL THE TIME with this shit)

if your first or last month at the property is a partial stay (i.e. you move in on july 15th, and rent is typically due on the first) make sure you don’t pay the full first month’s rent before you know the area laws! in many states, you are only legally required to pay for the time you are occupying the property

is renter’s insurance necessary? many apartments want at least 30k coverage, which can run a couple hundred dollars extra per year

are the landlords/property management liable for crimes on the property? for example, if your car was broken into. if not GET RENTER’S INSURANCE

[lmaodies]

-ask if there’s any property upkeep you can do to get a bit off the rent (aka, can they take 100$ off the monthly rent if you maintain the lawns/garden, etc.) 

-ask if there’s been any consistent/frequent trouble with electricity/internet connectivity/cable if you have it

-what KIND of electricity? 

-what kind of heating (hot water/electric)

-how secure is the neighborhood (if you don’t know) 

-ANY PLUMBING ISSUES? check ALL the fucking taps, the showers, EVERYTHING WITH WATER to make sure it all works right. 

[minimal23]

Probably already covered in the heating aspect but - check the windows/window frames. I’ve now lived in two separate places that have had wooden frames - one with single pane windows and the other the frames had warped so much that in two rooms there was a considerable gap between the window and the frame when the window was “shut”

Landlord access (if it’s not a live in landlord) is a biggie - I’ve been hit by this before and have heard of worse cases too. Make sure you hold them accountable to what they put in the contract.

And talking of contracts - do not sign anything without reading it thoroughly, twice. I repeat - DO. NOT. SIGN. ANYTHING. WITHOUT. READING. IT. TWICE. And if you don’t understand something or agree with it, bring it up BEFORE you sign. My mother instilled that in me when I was a kid and it stuck. Luckily, as my second landlord tried to rush me through some dodgy paperwork once…

[intheindigo]

Before you move in, try to really inspect the place for things that need fixing or repairing or repainting (because even though they may have fixed up the place, they may not have done it well). If you see anything wrong tell the landlord right away but also make sure to take photos of it and document it just in case the landlord never has it fixed or they never fix it properly. So when it’s time for you to move out, you can show that the damage was already there when you moved in and shouldn’t be taken out of your deposit. Because they will look for any little thing that will allow them to dock from your deposit.

[noahwyles]

@commandingofficers

[lickdickbitch]

This is amazing thanks y'all

[catsbeaversandducks]

1 pound chihuahua vs. 15 pound bag of dog food

My money’s on the doggie.

Video by Ryder The Survivor

[kittens-jpg]

[olearypoetry]

[defineyourgrind]

[raquel-not-rachel]

That’s why I’m taking this leap. I’ll be in a new city with a new job before the new year, inshallah.

[6i]

it takes years to develop your craft. do not romanticize the idea of an ‘overnight success’. be a student. grow organically. get really good. hate your work. start over. find new ways to express the same ideas. the student becomes the master. your time will come.

[olearypoetry]

[raquel-not-rachel]

To Amy Louise, Alijah Marie, Khadeejah Joie, and Naima Shanelle

Not sure when I will have a daughter or how many, but I know she/they will set this world on fire!

[raquel-not-rachel]

This, us, was never the plan. We both entered for different reasons, but love made us stay. I don't know what tomorrow or a few years from now may bring. But what I know right now is that I'm grateful for your presence in my life. It's been a CRAZY 8mos, but I've learned a great deal from it. 1400 miles may separate us, but I like to think God makes no mistakes and things will work out for the best the way they need to and should. For now I plan for my new norm and guess I need to invest in some winter clothes. I hear Michigan winters can be a bitch.

[fyblackwomenart]

This is Me Now by  A Johson

[babyanimalgifs]

[hikingthepnw]

Summer is gone, but the start of Autumn means no less beauty in the Pacific Northwest. Colors are changing as the weather does, and it’s as fine a time to get outdoors as any.

At Lake Valhalla in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

[curiano-life-quotes]

Curiano Quotes Life - #LifeQuote, Love Quotes, Life #Quotes, Live #Life #Quote, and Letting Go Quotes. Visit this blog now Curiano.com

[raquel-not-rachel]

[interstate-k8]