my %sql_data = (
   id	      => "",
   aptname     => $query->param('aptname'), 
   aptnumber   => $query->param('aptnumber'), 	
   available   => $query->param('available'),		
   onwaiting   => $query->param('waitinglist'),		
   appliedfor  => $query->param('occupied'),			
   applicant   => $query->param('occupantname'),		
   description => $query->param('aptdescription'),
);
		
my $sql = q/INSERT INTO apartments (/.join(',', keys %sql_data).q/) 
   VALUES (/.join(',', ('?') x keys %sql_data).q/)/;
   
$sth = $dbh->prepare($sql) or die "prepare: $stmt: $DBI::errstr";
$sth->execute(values %sql_data) or die "execute: $stmt: $DBI::errstr";