# Renter's insurance - questions/advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 23, 2026, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129 "2026-06-23T05:55:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/61 "2026-06-26T15:27:51Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I _did_ say that the lease prohibits me from inviting gang members onto the grounds, didn’t I? 😁 Well, rats. What if we dress up in dark suits and borrow musical instruments and say we’re a Salvation Army Band? 😇 I don’t know why I am so excited for you! God knows, I hate moving and the move here to The Home almost three years ago just about _killed_ me. I bought one IKEA piece when I moved here and I hired a guy to assemble it – some company called Taskrabbit, I think. While he was here, I was coughing my guts out and the next day I tested positive for COVID. So I had to call the guy and tell him…sort of like calling someone to tell them you might have given them an STD. 😊 But enough about me (seriously: _enough!_). When you get sort of settled, please post some pictures. I’m dying to see the place. 👋🏽 ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/62 "2026-06-26T19:43:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’ll be the first person occupying this unit since it was a hotel room 5-6 years ago. Since you’re the first tenant, you need to document everything since any damage or imperfections will be blamed on you. Get a pad of Post-Its and go around the apartment looking for anything that is not perfect no matter how minor. Write the defect on the Post-It and stick it next to the imperfection. Then walk through the apartment and video everything where you point at each imperfection and describe it. Save the video somewhere in the cloud where you can retrieve it when you move out. Also, new construction often has many issues. Don’t assume everything will be perfect. In addition to looking for defects, check all the stuff like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC are working properly. Make sure the appliances are working properly, installed securely, and are level. Let the owners know if anything needs to be fixed. They’ll likely have an online portal where you can submit work requests. Submit only one fix per request rather than listing a bunch of fixes in one request. If you have a bunch of fixes in one request, maintenance is likely to close it out when they’ve only partially addressed all the issues. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/63 "2026-06-26T20:20:55Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > I _did_ say that the lease prohibits me from inviting gang members onto the grounds, didn’t I? 😁 > > Well, rats. Probably not those, either. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/64 "2026-06-27T06:11:14Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Probably not those, either Well, they’re not allowed as pets, and the utilities/amenities package in the rent includes a $2 fee for pest control, so I assume not. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/65 "2026-06-27T06:49:23Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I hate moving and the move here to The Home almost three years ago just about _killed_ me. Like I said in the OP, if it were up to me I’d continue living where I do now until I retire and get my pension money from my work so I can buy my way into a senior community. Fortunately, I have a former coworker who I helped move a few years ago, so he owes me a favor and I can draft him to help me move my things, and the new apartment is on the ground floor and won’t involve going up or down any stairs. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I bought one IKEA piece when I moved here and I hired a guy to assemble it – some company called Taskrabbit, I think. Yeah, the website was offering assembly through them for an extra fee, but I’m spending pretty much everything I have on this move as it is, so I’m gonna have to assemble it myself and hope I haven’t bitten off too much. I’ve assembled desk chairs and beds and cat trees before. It can’t be TOO hard. (Little did he know…) I _did_ see that Amazon had a vacuum/mop robot for 40% off for Prime Day, so I splurged on one of those to keep the floor clean. It’s LVP planking, so easier to keep clean than carpeting. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > When you get sort of settled, please post some pictures. I’m dying to see the place. Will do. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/66 "2026-06-27T16:52:47Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Yeah, the website was offering assembly through them for an extra fee, but I’m spending pretty much everything I have on this move as it is, so I’m gonna have to assemble it myself and hope I haven’t bitten off too much. Ikea assembly is heads-and-shoulders easier than other brands. And it’s gotten easier over the years. Plus, nowadays you can Google videos of people assembling the same pieces you’re trying to. You’ll be fine! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/67 "2026-06-27T17:09:05Z")
Sometimes with instructions from places like IKEA I just wish they would use some words rather than just pictures. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/68 "2026-06-27T17:11:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’m gonna have to assemble it myself and hope I haven’t bitten off too much. I’ve assembled desk chairs and beds and cat trees before. It can’t be TOO hard Assembling Ikea stuff can be fun. Look at it as an excuse to play with adult Legos. Doesn’t mean it always goes smoothly; I usually manage to put some piece in upside down or backwards, and than have to backtrack two steps to get it fixed. Try to get a local cat to help. They’re very good at sitting on the directions or the piece you need. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/69 "2026-06-27T17:19:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Sometimes with instructions from places like IKEA I just wish they would use some words rather than just pictures. Years ago, I had some non-IKEA scandy furniture. I was complaining about the instructions being a bad translation from Swedish. A researcher in our lab from Stockholm said “nah, the instructions don’t make any sense in Swedish, either”. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/70 "2026-06-27T17:38:29Z")
One thing that can help with IKEA assembly is to get a power screwdriver and some allen bits. Otherwise, you’re going to have do a lot of hand spinning of the provided allen wrench. For instance, this [cordless screwdriver](https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-4V-Cordless-1-4-in-Screwdriver-Kit-with-Bit-Accessories-10PC-USB-Cable-1-in-Diamond-Grit-Impact-Drive-Bits-5PC-FVD01KSB-A96501/338069844) and these [hex bits](https://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-1-4-in-Metric-Hex-Bit-Set-with-Rail-2-mm-to-6-mm-DZX93002/324279522). It will save you a ton of time and hand fatigue. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/71 "2026-06-27T18:06:24Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Sometimes with instructions from places like IKEA I just wish they would use some words rather than just pictures Yep, that’d be helpful. But like I said, Ikea’s gotten a lot better. I recently helped my daughter assemble a load of furniture (Ikea, Home Depot, and Wayfair) and the Ikeas were much easier than the others. One unit included a tool to use as a spacer/template so you could hammer in the nails without smashing your fingers at the exact distance from the edge that they needed to be. And the pics are large so you don’t need a magnifying glass to firgure which screws are which. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/72 "2026-06-28T00:41:22Z")
Speaking of Ikea instructions, I downloaded them today so I could see what tools I’ll be needing and I realized I have no idea what this is; [![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55361518250_14166fdbca_b.jpg) ](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55361518250_14166fdbca_b.jpg) It’s next to a picture of a flathead and a Philips screwdriver, but I’ve never seen a screwdriver with a round end. Anyone know what this is supposed to be? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/73 "2026-06-28T00:51:42Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It’s next to a picture of a flathead and a Philips screwdriver, but I’ve never seen a screwdriver with a round end. Anyone know what this is supposed to be? No such thing, as far as I know. Maybe an awl, if holes need to be punched in something? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/74 "2026-06-28T02:46:44Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Speaking of Ikea instructions, I downloaded them today so I could see what tools I’ll be needing and I realized I have no idea what this is; Google image search claims that it is indeed an awl used for Ikea products. It also says you can improvise with a hammer and nail. Or get the handy Ikea tool kit which includes an awl. Easier and cheaper to pick one up at the hardware store. What piece of furniture is it? That the first time I’ve ever seen the need for an awl with Ikea. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/75 "2026-06-28T03:13:18Z")
It’s for a dresser. It also says I need screwdrivers, a hammer, a spirit level, a drill, and two bits of specific sizes. > **[GULLABERG 8-drawer dresser, gray/anchor/unlock function, 661/8x187/8x393/8"](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/gullaberg-8-drawer-dresser-gray-anchor-unlock-function-80590396/)** > > GULLABERG 8-drawer dresser, gray/anchor/unlock function, 661/8x187/8x393/8" The GULLABERG series is elegant storage furniture in a robust and traditional design with crafted details. This wide chest of drawers has 8 smooth-running drawers with plenty... ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/76 "2026-06-28T04:35:25Z")
Wow! I have this smaller Hemnes dresser which didn’t require most of that. Sometimes there are extra things called for that are for a strap or something similar that’s now required to attach taller pieces to a wall so it can’t tip over and crush you. Okay, after seeing the instructions, most of that is to screw it into your wall for safety. I doubt anyone does that. The dressers are more complicated than the bookshelves, but I think you can do it without too much hassle. > **[HEMNES 3-drawer dresser, white stain, 421/2x373/4"](https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/hemnes-3-drawer-dresser-white-stain-70576193/)** > > HEMNES 3-drawer dresser, white stain, 421/2x373/4" A classic chest of drawers in solid wood, with a traditional look and modern functions like quiet, smooth-running drawers. The drawer interlock reduce the tip-over risk when combined with... ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/77 "2026-06-28T04:39:42Z")
Also, remember that the drawers aren’t made for over-stuffing with heavy clothes. The drawer bottoms and the drawer glides aren’t super heavy-duty. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/78 "2026-06-28T04:55:49Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Okay, after seeing the instructions, most of that is to screw it into your wall for safety. I doubt anyone does that. Yeah, I don’t think my lease allows that. > [@needscoffee](#): > > remember that the drawers aren’t made for over-stuffing with heavy clothes. The drawer bottoms and the drawer glides aren’t super heavy-duty. The closet is big enough to hang most of my shirts and coats, so the dresser is mainly gonna be for underclothes and other assorted junk. I actually went through my clothes the other day and donated two trash bags full of shirts I don’t wear anymore to Goodwill, so that’s lightened my load somewhat. I was originally going to get a smaller six-drawer dresser more like the one that came with the room I currently rent, but this one was on sale. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/79 "2026-06-28T05:39:10Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I was originally going to get a smaller six-drawer dresser more like the one that came with the room I currently rent, but this one was on sale. Nice! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129/80 "2026-06-28T14:04:36Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Wow! I have this smaller Hemnes dresser which didn’t require most of that. Sometimes there are extra things called for that are for a strap or something similar that’s now required to attach taller pieces to a wall so it can’t tip over and crush you. Okay, after seeing the instructions, most of that is to screw it into your wall for safety. I doubt anyone does that. Good guess that the awl is to secure the dresser to the wall to prevent it tipping over. [IKEA paid $46 million](https://www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794281632/ikea-reaches-46-million-settlement-over-death-of-toddler-killed-by-dresser-tip-o) to the family of a toddler who died when one of their dressers fell over on top of him. So whether or not anyone actually does secure their IKEA dresser to the wall, the company can show that they advised their customers to do so. If you don’t have small children in the house, this is less of a concern. (And you can get earthquake straps that attach to the wall using an adhesive pad instead of punching holes in the drywall.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renters-insurance-questions-advice/1031129.md?page=5)