These are just some of the things you shouldn’t put in your disposal:

• Grease/fats – can solidify overtime in your pipes
• Eggshells, onion skins, pasta and potato peels
• Fibrous foods (such as celery stacks and corn husks)
• Trash, such as plastic and paper
• Coffee grounds
• Nuts
• Paint

Renter’s insurance not only protects the property in case of an unfortunate event where you may accidentally cause major damage such as fire or you run your car through the house (trust us, it could happen), it also protects your personal belongings in the event there is a flood, major wind or hail damage, fires or accidents.

Renter’s insurance can also help cover instances where your pet causes damage or your fridge goes out and all of your food gets spoiled.

Renter’s insurance typically costs between $10-$30 per month depending on the company and policy. We do require a minimum in $100k in personal liability coverage as part of our lease agreements.

You are living in someone else’s home, and therefore it is crucial to make sure you are covered in the event of accidental damage, not only for the protection of the owner, but for yourself and your belongings.

This can be a confusing problem, but the answer is relatively simple. The owner may supply a refridgerator and is responsible for maintaining the refridgerator. However, if a refridgerator goes out for any reason and your food is spoiled, the owner is not obligated for replenish your food supply. They are responsible for addressing the issue in a reasonable timeframe which could be up to weeks if a warranty company is involved. The owner’s obligation is to work as quickly as possible to get the issue addressed.

So what happens to the spoiled food? The good news is, this is something that your renter’s insurance should cover. File a claim with your insurance to get reimbursed for spoiled food expenses.