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A Guide to Doing Well in Bowling Green
In case of an emergency dial 911. All communities have fire departments and emergency medical services. If you need help in an emergency, the telephone number to dial in Bowling Green (as in most of the United States) is 911. If you need to use the 911 emergency number, be prepared to tell the operator the reason for your emergency ("police," "fire," or "ambulance") and your location. If you cannot explain the problem in English just say, "HELP" and do not hang up the telephone. The open line will tell the emergency dispatcher your location. Your telephone book is the best source for emergency numbers. The first few pages of the phone book list all emergency number in your local area. When ordering your telephone line you can ask for a phone book in Spanish.
Finding a place to live is important and finding a home can be stressful and frustrating. If you have friends or relatives in the United States, they may be able to make housing arrangements for you when you first arrive. You should decide for yourself about long-term housing arrangements. Here are some tips that might help you find a home. There are several types of housing in Bowling Green:
Ways to find a place to live:
A rental apartment/house generally includes a kitchen with a stove, sink, refrigerator, bathroom(s), bedroom(s), closest(s), and a living and dining room. In smaller apartments/houses some of these rooms are combined. The cost of housing differs by type, size, location and owner. The rent may include the cost of utilities (electricity, gas, water, heat, trash and garbage removal), or the utilities may be charged separately. Before signing a rental agreement, it is important to ask the landlord if utilities are included in the rent. It is important to examine an apartment/house before you rent. The following is a checklist you can use to help you evaluate the condition of the apartment/house. Check for:
Once you have examined the property, make a list of questions or repairs for the landlord and insist that they be answered or repaired before you decide to rent the property. If you decide to move in before the repairs are made make sure that you and the landlord come to an agreement as to when these repairs will be completed. Make sure that all agreements are in writing either on your lease or in some written document so that there is no confusion of what the moving agreement was. This is for your safety and in your best interest if any confusion arises on a later date. Also make sure that you have copies of all these documents. When decide to rent a home you must deal with a very important document called the Lease. A Lease is a rental agreement. A lease is a legal document that is for the protection of the tenant and the landlord. A lease protects you from unfair treatment by your landlord. Housing laws require that landlords meet minimum standards of safety and sanitation for rental property. The following is a list of what should be written in the lease before you sign.
Once you have moved into your new rental home go through the place again and note any damage that you might fine. Again follow the steps listed above and hand a written list to your landlord and keep a copy for you. Do not be afraid to do this, in the long run this will save you agony and money. If things in your rental home become damaged while you are living there notify the landlord right away. Do not wait until you are ready to move out because the landlord can charge you for the damage. It is easier for both you and the landlord if you keep him/her informed of any problems with the property as it happens. Sometimes the things that get damaged in the property are from wear and tear and not your fault. When you are ready to move out there are steps that you need to follow to make your move easy:
There is another type of housing in Bowling Green, which is called government-subsidized housing. This includes Section-8, Bowling Green Housing Authority, Regency Park Apartments, Able Court Apartment, and the Towers for senior citizens. Rent is low, and the apartments are safe and clean. Call your church or the International Center if you need directions on signing for government housing. Low-income families with legal residency, the elderly and people with a disability are usually eligible. Buying a House When you are ready to buy a home it is best to consult a realtor or bank. You must be of legal resident status to be able to buy a home. The realtor helps arrange the sale of a house. You do not need a realtor if you go through one of the special low interest programs or if you buy directly form a homeowner. A good realtor will find the housing programs that are best for your family's income. He/she will help find the lowest interest rate possible for your family income and size. Your church, friends, or helping agencies can give you ideas on finding experienced mortgage companies and realtors. There are also low interest programs available to your family. Habitat for Humanity allows you to help build your own house and pay low or no interest. HANDS provides funding that will assist in the purchase as well as home ownership and budget/credit canceling. There is a program called SECTION-8 Housing. If you qualify for Section-8 it can help you with paying the rent or in some cases buying a house. Apply directly to these programs.
UTILITIES
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