This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com
Living in an apartment, you frequently have strangers coming to your space: the “once a year” inspection, fire and smoke alarm inspection, pest control and let’s not forget the maintenance guy coming in to change vent filters and what not. Apartment dwellers are not the only ones who have visitors, anyone can have pizza delivery, cable installer, plumber and other repair technicians may enter your house.
Emergency supplies are your own business, and you don’t need anyone else checking them out and wondering what’s all that stuff. People will form conclusions about you such as:
– You’re a nut.
– You’re loaded and have lots of “goodies” all over
I’m not saying anyone is out to get you, but all it takes is a word or two said to someone else in a friendly conversation and before you know it, word has spread. At the very least, you’ll want to avoid any questions like “What’s all this?”
What do you do if you have an apartment inspection or other strangers coming to your house?
- Know your rights. When you are informed of an apartment inspection, reread the terms of your lease, your rights as well as what the manager can do and cannot do
- If you object to an inspection be very nice about it and you just may get what you want.
- If possible, try to be at home during the inspection. Follow the inspector around so you know what he or she is looking at. We once had a guy looking in one of our closets. I was right behind him so I asked him, “What are you looking for?” He said “The smoke alarm.” But I knew there never was any smoke alarm in the closet.
- Hide your supplies in places that are not obvious: under the dining table covered by a long table cloth, under the bed, in an unused closet, in a laundry hamper etc.
- Spread out your stash, so it does not look noticeable.
- Use your closet wisely: store some long dresses in front of your five gallon buckets, collect empty shoe boxes and use them for smaller supplies such as flashlights and batteries, first aid kits, etc.
- If you know you’ll be having a lot of foot traffic in your home, say you are selling your home and have an open house planned, consider moving some of your gear to a trusted friend or relative’s home, or storage facility. I know of a couple who had lost valuable items during an open house, as thieves were able to roam freely among the lookie-loos.
- If you were to consider a storage facility to keep your supplies, make sure it has 24 hour on site management, is climate controlled, and most of all, easily accessible to you. Preps won’t do any good if you can’t get to them when the need arises.
Finally, if your supplies are noticed and commented upon, be matter of fact about them and just say you were cleaning out a closet or going through your hurricane (or other risks in your area) emergency supplies. No need to elaborate nor give additional details.
© Apartment Prepper 2013
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GREAT article and spot-on. My wife works in the apartment leasing biz and has some stories about tenants and their preps.
Hi Ben! Good to hear from you! I know the leasing folks have got to notice a thing or two if you’re not careful. Our leasing office can’t seem to hang to on to folks-just as you get to know someone they leave and it’s strangers all over again. Thanks for stopping by.
I have 6 water bricks in my closet and fear that they might say something. But even if they dont say anything the fact that others know that they are there is a concern.
Hi John, Best to keep them hidden that way-you don’t need to call attention to your preps.
join a emergency response team donate some time helping with disaster relief this is a good excuse for the storage of extra supplies just say you like to bring extra supplies to help some people personaly true or not it works also doing some good to help people is always good for carma getting some on the ground experience with disaster zones is the best training for a prepping mind.I make specialised beds to utilize the space of a box spring the outer shell fills with water for storage this also adds weight making it unable to move or steel.
Word to the wise on storage facilities. NONE of them are secure. Most of the spaces have an open area just above the walls where you can simply climb into the adjacent space. If that weren’t enough… MANY have days set aside each year for a YARD SALE, of sorts. This is a time when the owner literally allows anyone thru that fancy shiny menacing locked gate… and they bid on abandoned storage space contents. They are able to walk around throughout the facility. And no ID was noted when they entered the area.
Hi boo hoo,
Really have to be careful while choosing one- a co-worker had one that was burglarized and mgmt wasnt even aware of it. Thanks for the comment.
Also beware of the utility companies…Had a minor gas leak that needed the meter changed,so they turned off the gas,swapped the meter…The utility company sent a woman to re light all the gas appliances,water heater,furnace,etc..My wife told her I could do it,but I was not home,but she claimed the gas company had to do it,for legal reasons.She lit the water heater,then asked about the furnace.I’d replaced it yrs ago with a roof mounted system,got rid of the furnace in the hall closet,and turned the closet space into a gun rack.My wife told her that it was no longer there,but she insisted on checking……..when she opened the door,she turned and asked,”when will Rambo be home?”!!!!
Hi Dean, Sheesh-even the utility co can be nosy! Thanks for adding them to the visitor list/ Appreciate the comment.