4 Ways to not cut Costs this Winter

Last week we looked at ways to cut costs in heating so that money could be funneled toward stopping an eviction. This week we’re going to look at some specific ways not to cut costs during cold weather.

·         Most Space Heaters in the Bathroom: Most space heaters are not equipped with proper plugs for use in the bathroom. Due to their close proximity to water, it is best to save the heating for somewhere else in your house.

·         Turning off the heat in your home during the day: Also known as allowing your pipes to freeze and burst. If the temperature is going to be close to freezing, it’s not worth letting things get so cold that you have a major plumbing disaster. Most people recommend keeping your thermostat around 68 degrees throughout the winter.

·         Running a cook stove or BBQ indoors: Cook stoves and BBQs are meant to be burned outdoors where their greedy oxygen sucking capacity can be satiated. Don’t risk a fire, or death by asphyxiation by trying to warm things up the hard way.

·         Getting your duct work cleaned: Cleaning your ducts before winter doesn’t really help your air quality, unless you have mold or vermin problems. Use that money to help better insulate your pipes instead!

Interested in more information on how to stop an eviction?

How to Stop Forclosure Evictions (available now as an ebook on Amazon!) gives essential information that can help stop your eviction today. Note: Renee Patterson’s book focuses on the eviction process in the state of California.

Cold Weather Cost Cuts

Last week we started a series on cutting costs in other areas of your budget in order to redirect funds toward your mortgage to help stop your eviction. As mid-October and the beginning of the cold season draws near today is the perfect time to think about cold weather cost cutting.

One of the biggest money eaters during the winter months is often the utility bill. Cold weather arrives, and the furnace turns on. What can you do to cut costs?

Heating Efficiently

As the cold weather approaches, having a tune up on your furnace may be a cost you’d rather not think about. But, it’s worth checking how long it has been since your furnace has been cleaned. Older houses are often especially bad about having junk built up in the furnace or vents. Sometimes former occupants have had children that have pushed things into the vent system, blocking airflow. The last thing you want is for your furnace to be working extra hard to get past a barrier that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Consider having a professional come give your furnace a cleaning. In addition, some states now offer incentives and financial help if you are interested in installing a more energy efficient furnace.

Heating Effectively

Your furnace does you very little good if your windows or outside doors are left open. As that warm air flows out of your air vents, or that hot water trickles through your radiator, money is flowing out of your pocket and into the utility company. Do your best to seal that hot air into the house. You’d be surprised by how much savings can be accomplished by simply buying and installing a window insulator kit. Many air leaks happen around your window frames, and even the best glass falls woefully short of the insulation of a wall.

A second area to check for insulation is your attic (provided your home has one). Heat floats to the top, and if the roof is not well insulated, then your hot air is floating right out into the winter weather.

In order to redirect your budget to avoid an eviction, cutting costs is a must. Next week we’ll continue to look at ways you can save in one area, to avoid an eviction.

Interested in more? Read Keisha Joseph's book!

 

A Hardship Letter Template

Creating a Hardship Letter

Image URI: http://mrg.bz/pBYcg9

One essential document to slow, or stop your eviction is the hardship letter. But, sometimes it’s hard to know how to start, or what to say. You’ll want to direct this letter to your lender. The letter will detail why you have not been able to stay current with your bills.

A Hardship Letter Template

Example of a hardship letter:

Dear Sir:

I am writing today about my home’s foreclosure. My family and I are dependent on this home for professional and educational stability. The loss of our current housing would cause much stress and duress at this time. I would like to discuss a forbearance plan or loan modification that would allow you to continue to receive payments, while allowing me to keep our home.

The reason I have been unable to make my mortgage payments is because (insert specific situation information) In addition to this letter I have included the following documents that show my current financial difficulties:

As you can see, I am unable to make the current payments. I would like to propose a temporary loan modification plan. With my current income I can make a reduced payment of (amount available) from now until (end date). By this date I hope to have (resolution of financial difficulties listed above). By (end date above) I would again plan to pay the previous amount of (amount).

I realize this reduced payment is not the agreed upon terms, but hope that the benefit of the continued influx of some revenue would be of greater value to you than the process of eviction. This is our family’s home. (Members of the family in residence)  and I would be very grateful for your forebearance.

 Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Further Help to Stop your Eviction

Interested in more information. Get help from someone whose been through the process before!

Keisha Joseph offers more tips in How to Stop Foreclosure Evictions available for Kindle on Amazon.

How to Remove Eviction from Your Credit Report

When a person does not pay their rent, that person can be evicted by the landlord from their rental unit. If this happens to you an eviction notice will stay on your credit record for seven years. Even if, the eviction is legally done, evictions cannot be removed from your credit report before the designated seven years, you can dispute to remove any errors but not the eviction. Let’s take a look at some of the tips and things you should do if you have ever been evicted and do not want this to happen to you.

Tips to Removing Eviction from Your Credit Report

v  Argue an eviction fast, if you know that you have not been fairly treated. Gather together all and any documentation and evidence to the reasons for not paying the rent, such as substandard living area, or other reasons as to it being wrongfully done.

v  Seek legal advice, of an attorney or other local legal service organization.

v  Go negotiate and talk with the landlord or abide by the 3-day eviction notice time frame to reframe from any other problems and to avoid problems on your credit-rental report.

v  Try your best to get all rental court cases dismissed, and if you win your case, make sure there will be nothing added or shown on your credit report.

v  Get a copy of your credit report, review it carefully. Usually at even at the start of an eviction there could be an entry placed on your credit report. Check your credit report thoroughly to make sure that this does or has not happened.

v  Ask for assistance from a credit repair company, just to make sure that it will not appear on your credit report or have future problems renting. Credit restoration service will be able to make a more in-depth check to finding any problem entries that could hurt you applying elsewhere as a tenant.

v  If you do find that you have an eviction on your credit report they will remain for a period of 7 years, there is no way to remove them during this time frame, you can only try to dispute them if you have enough proof and know that the eviction was improper.

v  Dispute any and all errors so that they get removed. If there are any listings that show an eviction proceeding that was never taken forward or ones you won, you have to dispute them. Send in to credit bureau reporting any error and all copies of documentation to support your proof for the error, and make sure to send by certified mail. Also included a cover letter describing the error and asking for removal. The Credit Bureau must investigate the dispute and send a copy to the party that provided the information. If no proof of accuracy to the entry can be obtained it will be sent to other credit bureau agencies to also remove the error, so that it is corrected on your credit report. They will send you a copy of the correction, and an updated copy of your credit report showing any errors that have been removed.

Investigate your credit report not only for eviction entries but for all items that are incorrect, and correct them as necessary. Just remember, your credit report is what is able to get you that new house or new car or that new credit card that you have been waiting. Keep it safe and take care of it.

If you're in trouble and facing eviction, you can prolong your eviction or stop your eviction fast. Download “How to Stop an Eviction” today to stop your eviction now.

10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Eviction

Are you looking to make sure that you, as a tenant, are protected? Are you being harassed by your landlord? Here are ten ways you can protect yourself from landlord issues and tenant evictions.

1.     Never pay your landlord for rent or anything else using cash! Always make your rent payments using a cashier’s check or money order, and always make sure to get your receipt. If you pay with a personal check, always keep copies of your canceled checks and bank statements that show that the checks cleared. If you send in your payment by mail, make sure to mail your payment from the US post office, using Delivery Confirmation. If for any reason your landlord decides to return your rental payment to you, don't cash it. This will act as your proof that you did attempt to pay your rent.

2.     Check to see if your home is protected by rent control laws. Contact your county housing department to find out for sure.  For Los Angeles County, you can obtain a free copy of the official Landlord Tenant Handbook online or at the Los Angeles Housing Department office. West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills all have their own rules and regulations for rent stabilization.

3.     Always make a notation on your money order, cashier's check or personal check stating exactly what it is for, specifically the month the payment includes. Example, if paying for “Rent for October, 2012”, “Rent for 818 Wilshire for September 2012”, etc... Be sure to keep the attached receipt from the money order or cashier's check for your records. This proof will help you later, if for any reason, your landlord attempts to evict you claiming that you have unpaid rent. You will have proof of all payments that you have made and when you made them.

4.     Do not stop paying your rent. Make sure that the conditions in your apartment are up to standards. You can contact the Housing Department at www.lacity.org/lahd/ or through the agency in your area. You can also check out the links to other cities here under “government.”

5.     Be sure to comply with any and all notices that your landlord gives you, and within the allowed time frame. Even if you end up having to pay something that you don't agree with, just go ahead and pay it anyway. Then, seek advice to file a small claims suit against your landlord to get any money owed refunded.

6.     Document and record any and all events related to your rental home on your calendar. On each date use small phrases like, “paid rent”, “requested that landlord make repairs”, etc...

7.     Make sure all agreements you make with your landlord are put in writing. A verbal agreement has no worth whatsoever in court. Putting things in writing is proof of any agreement that you may have between you and your landlord.

8.     Don't sign anything that you are asked to sign by your landlord unless a) you have a clear understanding of what it means, b) are given your own copy to read over and give to your lawyer to read later, and c) are given your own copy for your personal records before you have to sign it.

9.     Organize a tenants group! If you know that other tenants in your complex are experiencing the same issues with your property or the landlord, work together to help each other get results.

10.  Remember that the property management company or your building manager works directly for your landlord, not you. He/she is paid by the landlord. The property manager won't be of any help when it comes to protecting you from any proceedings related to an eviction.