FYI

The City of Buffalo will be hosting three open houses to share information and obtain community input to help prepare its Five-Year Consolidated Plan.

Heating Safety

The cold season is most definitely here, and will be here for a long few months. This means it is prime time for heating the home! No matter what type of heat you use (fire, wood stove, pellet stove, electric heat, fuel oil, etc.) it is important to use safe measures when using it. Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire deaths, with almost half reported December – February. A few weeks ago,  I wrote about what you should do for your furnace to get it ready for the heating season, and that is a big part of heating safety. You need to make sure first and foremost that your equipment is in proper working condition, clean and safe to use. Equipment includes fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure these are in proper working order and have been replaced if older than ten years old. Another general tip is if there is a fire hydrant near your home, help the fire department out by keeping it clear of snow.

Landlord's Guide

                Last week I wrote about how to get an apartment and what to do after you get it. This week, we’re moving to the other side of the coin – tips for landlords. I've never been a landlord, but my dad has for quite some time now. I've seen what good tenants and bad tenants can do to an apartment. Read ahead for some tips on how to maintain a good relationship with good tenants.

Tips for Renting an Apartment

                In the current housing economy, there is a great debate on purchasing a home vs. renting a home. For young people, there’s almost no contest. I myself have been a renter for over five years, in which I’ve lived in four different apartments. There’s good, bad and ugly to renting your home. Below are some tips to help you get the apartment, make it feel like a real home, and possibly save some money along the way.

Winterization

The weather is definitely changing here in Western New York. Almost all the leaves are off the trees (and hopefully raked up in piles off your lawn). The skies are often overcast and there’s a persistent chill in the air. If your home needs some help keeping you warm this winter, our Weatherization Assistance Program may be able to help! (To find out if you’re eligible, check out our website at www.nhssouthbuffalo.org or call our office at 823.3630.) You may not need major work, however. Here are some tips to help keep your home warmer this winter and save some money on energy bills.