Renting Out Unused Space=$$

Make Room, Make Money

Letting Unused Space Pay For Itself

Own your own home? Then you have potential income waiting by renting out unused space.

How many of you park your car(s) in the driveway instead of using your garage? Usually most of whatever is being kept in the garage is stuff that could be tossed out or sold. How about a spare bedroom that is serving no other purpose but to store more stuff and an occasional sleepover guest.

If you are going to be keeping stuff in these places anyway, why not make money doing it? Ideally a two car garage is just what someone needs to store their car, small boat, ski mobiles, motorcycles etc. Put some strong, well secured shelving along the walls allowing even more space to rent. Many people are in transit from homes to an apartment with too many items to take and can't decide what to do. In the meantime they need a safe, secure place and your garage might be just the answer.

Others may need space to store boxed collectibles or items that can't be left in the garage. This is where that unused spare room comes in handy.

Place an ad in the local newspaper, or one of those smaller 'ads' newspapers found in convenience stores. Put a flyer on a bulletin board in the supermarket. Word of mouth is sometimes the best source for getting the word out. It's a good idea to state in the ad what you will allow stored. You might prefer vehicles only in the garage. This eliminates unnecessary callers looking to store other items instead.

Getting your garage or unused room ready is the next step. Depending on it's condition determines how much needs to be done. If you have it filled up with the stuff you don't have use for, then either sell it, donate it or toss it.

Try to remove as much furniture as possible from the spare room that you can. Take it to the cellar if you have one or attic. If neither is possible then take as many items to other rooms to provide more space to rent. Utilize the closet as well. Have the room pristine clean, carpet vacuumed and steam cleaned if necessary, walls washed down. Try to imagine if you would want to store you things in there.

1. Get the garage clean. Not just swept clean but spotless. After a through sweeping, hose it down from ceiling to floor. A few coats of white paint, at least one, is a must.

2. If the garage gets wet, even slightly during rain, find the source and get it fixed. Dampness and humidity from moisture will cause mildew and odor that will send potential renters away.

3. Provide adequate lighting, not just the overhead light that is usually nothing more then a naked bulb. Renters will want to be able to see their items without tripping over each other in the process.

4. If your garage door does not have an electric door opener, get one and have it professionally installed. Security is a must.

5. Have large, wooden pallets available for those who want to store boxed items. They should be at least 5" from the garage floor. It is the renters responsibility to have strong boxes, tightly sealed without holes or tears.

What You Need to Do to Protect Yourself:

1. Get at least 3 non-family references from your applicant. Check them out thoroughly and be sure they are local references. Utilize any online or city public records available.

2. Be sure to get a copy of their photo i.d.'s. You especially don't want minors trying to rent space.

3. Trust your instincts. If you feel even a little uncomfortable about a potential renter, find someone else.

4. This is vital. Have the renter supply you with a list of everything they plan to store. If they are storing boxes, have them opened, take a photo of each box before sealing them. Count the number of boxes and include that on the list. If they are storing vehicles or equipment, take several photos of each item so you can prove their condition on the date of storage. Make copies of this list for them and you.

5. For in-house room space rental, never give out a key to your home. If they insist on a key, ask them to rent some place else. Of course they have a right to access their belongings. You will be writing a contract(read below) include in it that the renter must call ahead 24 hours minimum, so you can be at home when they arrive. Privacy should be respected on both sides.

6. As for determining a rental fee. Checkout the current fees charged by the commercial storage rental places in your area. Since most of these are not usually located near a residential area, you provide the plus of location. It's also easier for a renter to just pull into your driveway then have to negotiate a larger area of hundreds of other storage units.

Your price will have to factor in the possible increase in your homeowners insurance as you should advise them you are doing this. If they do increase your rate, them charge your renter accordingly. Be sure to request a month's deposit in advance.

It is your responsibility to provide a safe enviorment for a renter's possessions. They may ask you if you have homeowners insurance and be allowed to see that documentation.

7. Get everything in writing. You can purchase or download from your pc a standard renter's contract. Print out several copies in case you make changes. By now you should have all your do's and don's on a list ready to transfer onto a contract. Be specific. State when the rent is due and how many days grace period allowed before charging late fees. Definitely include under what circumstances the contract would be terminated, such as non-payment, storing items not allowed, etc. Do not accept cash payments. Checks only. Print out a copy of the check for your records if you only do online banking.

8. Have the renter read the contract carefully in your presence and ask if there are any questions or suggestions. At least consider them and try to work together so that both sides are comfortable with the end result. Have the contract signed in the presence of a notary, this is a must do.

While this may seem quite a bit of prep work, it's to your advantage. The end result is that both sides are happy and you are making money. Sounds like a win/win situation.

~Reduce Your Energy Bills AND Be Kind to The Enviorment~

If you live in a typical U.S. home, your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20 percent of your energy bills. These appliances and electronics include the following:

*Clothes washers and dryers

*Computers

*Dishwashers

*Home audio equipment

*Refrigerators and freezers

*Stoves

*Central and room air conditioners

*Televisions, DVD players and VCR's

Here are some quick tips along with more detailed ways to reduce your usage and the bills.

1. Conserve energy by running your dishwasher only when it's fully loaded and turn off the dry cycle and air dry dishes instead. And remember you use less water then doing the dishes by hand.


2. Dishwashers use alot of hot water and electricity. Check and see what temperature your water heater is set for. If it is anywhere above 110-120 degrees, then it's just too hot. You can't use water that hot for anything, so have it adjusted down. Consider purchasing a water heater blanket. It will significantly lessen the loss of heat. Think about it, you take a shower and use cold water to cool down the hot you just paid to heat. Why?


3. When using the washer, only use full loads. Don't use hot water unless it's really needed. Most clothes will come clean in cold water. Detergent doesn't dissolve as fast in cold it seems. So put the detergent in first after you start the water and then add clothes a minute or two later to prevent soap spots on the clothes.


4. Read the directions on your soapbox or liquid bottle. Many come with a free scoop that encourages you to use much more than you need to. The same with the huge cap on the liquid bottle. Use less, your clothes will be clean and you save on detergent costs.


5. Use every opportunity to avoid dryer use. Hanging clothes is time consuming but a huge savings for the time spent. Get a line up and once you start doing this and bringing in freshly air dried clothes and linens, you will prefer it. If you don't have a yard or outdoor space, get a few portable drying racks that can be put up in the bathtub or anywhere. Put items on hangars and use your shower curtain pole as a 'line'. Get inventive.


6. If you must use the dryer, only run a full load. Determine exactly how long it takes to dry certain items. We automatically set the timer at the same number no matter what we put in and it's not always necessary. 20 minutes might be more then enough instead of 30 or more. Hint: Keep your lint filters clean. Remove after each use, clean all traces of lint and at least once a month, let it soak in hot soapy water in the sink. You will be surprised to see how much dirt still remains. Rinse thoroughly and air dry. Excessive buildup of lint has been known to cause fire.


7. If you have air dried your laundry and the items are too stiff, you can fluff dry with a fabric cloth for 10 minutes.


8. If you're wondering when you should turn off your personal computer for energy savings, here are some general guidelines to help you make that decision. Though there is a small surge in energy when a computer starts up, this small amount of energy is still less thatn the energy used whan a computer is running for long periods of time. For energy savings and convenience, consider turning off

• the monitor if you aren't going to use your pc for more than 20 minutes


• both the cpu and monitor if you're not going to use your pc for more then 2 hours

9. Make sure your monitors, printers, and other accessories are on a power strip/surge protector. When this equipment is not in use for extended periods, turn off the switch on the power strip to prevent them from drawing power even when shut off. If you don't use a power strip, unplug extra equipment when it's not in use.

10. Most pc's reach the end of their "useful" life due to advances in technology long before the effects of being switched on and off multiple times have a negative impact on their service life. The less time a pc is on, the longer it will "last." PC's also produce heat, so turning them off reduces building cooling loads. Note: Screen savers are not energy savers. Using a screen saver may in fact use more energy than not using one, and the power-down feature may not work if you have a full screen saver activated. In fact, moder LCD color monitors do not need screen savers at all.

11. Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system. Have your central air conditioner serviced once a year. Keep the filters clean, either replaced monthly or washed and air dried.

12. Make use of fans, even in the winter. A whole house fan is permanently installed in your attic and draws in cool air into the home through the windows while forcing hot air out through your attic vents. Use after sundown when the outside temperature drops below 80 degrees, and in the early morning to cool your house and help reduce your air conditioning use.

13. If you have ceiling fans, use them properly to circulate the air. Heated air rises and cooler air settles to the floor. The fans should be set to pull warm air down from the ceiling in the winter and to pull cool air up from the floors in the summer. Most fans have a directional switch on the side of the motor body.

14. Insulate against drafts whether from windows or doors. If you have a slider door that leaks air, a plastic sheet can be installed for a season to stop heat loss. A "draft dodger" in front of the entry door threshold can keep air from going outside overnight.

15. Install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens to shade your home from the sun. For additional future savings, use strategically planted trees, shrubs and vines to shade your home.

16. Leaking ductwork accounts for 25 percent of cooling costs in an average home, so have your ducts tested and have any leaks or restrictions repaired by a qualified contractor. NOTE: Duct cleaning is NOT the same as duct sealing.

17. Have an energy audit. You can do this yourself but consider hiring a professional or call your local utility company and be sure to have both electric and gas done. Often utility companies do this for free.

18. Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. Your lights are significant energy users. So, invest in compact fluorescent lightbulbs for your lamps and even ceiling fixtures. If you haven't noticed, they come in warm white colors now and don't flicker when turned on. They save 75% of the energy of a standard bulb would use. You'll almost never have to change light bulbs again until you move! Save the standard bulbs from ceiling fixtures, etc.. to replace when you are ready to move out. And of course, always turn off the lights when leaving a room.

19. Nothing is more energy efficient for cooking than your microwave. It uses 2/3 less energy than your stove. Or invest in a nice sized toaster oven which can cook or reheat almost anything and enough for two people, using much less warmup time then your oven. When boiling water stove top, use high heat just until the pot starts to boil. Then turn the flame to low for the remainder(same for electric stoves) of the cook time. Getting to te boiling point is faster with high temperature, but it takes much less to maintain the heat than to create it. Use properly fitted lids to contain the heat once established. Meals will cook thoroughly on very low heat if you use less liquid and leave the lid in place.

20. Refrigerators with either top or bottom freezers use less energy then side by side. Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool. Be sure to keep the back of the refrigerator dust free.

Common sense is #1. We know when we are wasting energy whether in our homes or elsewhere. If we practice any of the above routinely, the result will be an impressive reduction in your monthly bill and the knowledge you are helping the world you live in. Get creative, find many more ways that you can add to this list. Let me know, I will give you credit for the suggestion and add it here.