1. WHAT DO WE DO IF WE HAVE A MAINTENANCE REQUEST?
If you have a maintenance request, please fill out our maintenance request form. You can also call us at 523-2015 or visit us at 12 W. Park Place. Our office hours are M-F 8am - 4pm, closed daily from noon to 1pm. All maintenance requests must go through our office (not a maintenance technician).
2. WHO MAY CALL IN A MAINTENANCE REQUEST FOR OUR HOUSE/APT?
A current lessee, that's anyone signed onto the lease, is the only person authorized to request a work order for your residence. Your parents, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc. cannot call in a maintenance request. It is our policy to abide by and follow tenant/landlord privilege and confidentiality.
This also means we cannot discuss your lease with anyone, but you. If you have a problem or question, please call us yourself. We'd be happy to discuss any issues with you. Again, do not have your parents call because we can only resolve issues with a current lessee.
Furthermore, we will only provide copies of leases ($1 per lease) to current lessees. If you need to pick up a copy of your lease, please call our office ahead of time so we can have it ready for you.
3. WHAT DO WE DO IF WE NEED MAINTENANCE AFTER BUSINESS HOURS?
We provide around the clock "emergency" maintenance service.
"An after hours emergency is a situation in which either the property or the tenant will suffer loss if the situation goes uncorrected until the next business day." For example the heat goes out.
If you have an after hours emergency, please call 839-0354. Someone will return your call within 30 minutes.
If you do not receive a response within 30 minutes, please call our emergency hotline at 524-0206. You should only call the emergency hotline if you have not received a response within 30 minutes.
4. IT'S AFTER BUSINESS HOURS AND MY TOILET IS CLOGGED, IS THIS AN EMERGENCY?
It depends on the situation. It is an emergency if it's overflowing and/or you do not have another workable toilet. It's not an emergency if it's only clogged and you have another workable toilet.
This is not an emergency. You can contact us during business hours to have any unauthorized vehicles ticketed or towed. In the interim, you will have to find alternative parking.
You are responsible for simple upkeep. This includes, but is not limited to:
*Changing light bulbs
*Replacing smoke detector batteries
*Hanging shower curtains & liners
*Housekeeping/cleaning
*Plunging toilets
*Spraying bug spray, setting mouse traps, etc. if needed
YES!! We strongly recommend renter's insurance. It will cover your personal items if they are damaged by fire, water, etc. Our insurance only covers damage to the property, not your personal belongings.
If you have a compliment about anyone on our staff or service, please call our office or send us a letter. We reward members of our staff on a monthly basis for a job well done.
If you have a complaint about anyone on our staff or service, please call our office or send us a letter. Please keep the lines of communication open with us. Let's work together to resolve any issues or problems. Our goal is for you to be 100% satisfied.
9. IF A ROOMMATE DOES NOT PAY RENT, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY THE RENT?
Everyone who is currently signed on the lease is responsible for the rent. It is a joint liability lease so every lessee is jointly and severally liable to all terms of the lease. Everyone is also liable for late fees if the rent is not paid on time.
10. WHO LIGHTS THE PILOTS FOR OUR WATER HEATER AND FURNACE?
Please schedule this with Oxford Natural Gas. They will do this at the time they turn your service on. It would be wise to have both pilots lit at the same time so that you will only have to pay one service fee.
11. CAN WE STORE ITEMS IN THE BASEMENT?
We strongly recommend that you do not store items in the basement. There is never a guarantee that the basement will be 100% dry. There is always a possibility of flooding, sewage backup, etc. If you choose to store items in the basement it is solely at your own risk.
Furthermore, all items stored in the basement must be removed upon vacating the property. If items are left behind, you will be charged to remove those items.
12. ARE WE ALLOWED TO HAVE PETS?
Pets are not allowed on or in the property at any time. This includes all pets cats, dogs, snakes, birds, hamsters, etc. If you house a pet or even if it's a visiting pet it will be cause for immediate eviction and forfeiture of your deposit, per your lease agreement.
13. WE HAVE A PEST PROBLEM THAT IS BEYOND GENERAL UPKEEP, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?
If you have a pest problem beyond general upkeep, please contact our office. Please keep in mind that if you leave doors and windows open for extended periods of time this may cause a pest problem. Poor housekeeping can also contribute to a pest problem. If we determine that the pest problem is caused because of tenant negligence, you will be billed accordingly.
14. SHOULD WE TURN OFF OUR HEAT DURING WINTER BREAK?
No!! You should never turn the heat below 55 degrees in the winter months. If you do, you face the possibility of the water pipes freezing and bursting. If this occurs because the heat was turned off or below 55 degrees, you will be billed accordingly.
15. HOW DO WE PREVENT OUR TOILET(S) FROM CLOGGING AND/OR OVERFLOWING?
Clogged and overflowing toilets are a common problem that can easily be prevented. Do not flush paper towels, facial tissues, cotton swabs, condoms, or feminine hygiene products, especially tampons down the commode.
If we unclog your toilet and find anything other than what is supposed to be in a toilet, you will be billed accordingly. Please keep a plunger on hand to avoid being billed for service calls.
16. CAN I GET A LOCK INSTALLED ON MY BEDROOM DOOR?
Yes, only if one of our maintenance technicians installs it for you. If you would like a lock on your bedroom, please call the office to schedule an appointment. There is a $30 charge per lock installed. Do not install locks yourself, certain locks, such as hasp locks (combination locks), are a violation of the City of Oxford's housing codes.
17. CAN WE GET BLINDS/CURTAIN RODS INSTALLED?
Our office does not provide blinds, curtain rods, or drapery. If any of these items are in your unit upon arrival, they were left as a courtesy from previous tenants. If you would like us to install curtain rods we will do so upon written request.
18. CAN WE PLANT FLOWERS AND LANDSCAPE?
Absolutely! Please see the Home Beautification Contest for a chance to win a free dinner at a local restaurant.
19. CAN WE HAVE ADDITIONAL CABLE/PHONE LINES INSTALLED IN OUR RESIDENCE?
Yes. We provide one working phone jack per residence. If you want more phone jacks installed or repaired, you may contact the phone company or refer to the utility phone list for the technician we recommend (he's cheaper than the phone company).
The phone and cable companies require written permission from our office to install additional lines. You may pick up a permission slip during our office hours. Please note, there are restrictions for certain properties.
20. CAN WE GET ON THE ROOF?
No! Please do not get onto the roofs. They cannot support excess weight and may be severely damaged or weakened.
21. CAN WE PAINT THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF OUR HOUSE/APARTMENT?
No!! Our properties are painted by professionals who use a certain brand and color of paint. If you take it upon yourself to paint, you will be charged accordingly.
22. WHAT CAN WE USE TO HANG PICTURES/POSTERS?
To protect the paint and plaster of the walls, do not apply plasti-tac or sticky tape to the walls. You may only use small finishing nails, tacks, or picture hangers to hang items on the walls. Do not use large nails or screws because they cause a lot of damage, beyond normal wear and tear, when removed.
23. WHAT DO I DO IF I GET LOCKED OUT OF MY RESIDENCE?
During business hours, please bring an ID to the office in exchange for a temporary key. When you return the temporary key, we will give you back your ID.
24. DURING THE SUMMER, NON-LEASED PERIOD, CAN I TOUR OR STORE MY BELONGINGS IN THE PROPERTY I WILL BE LIVING IN THIS FALL?
Due to safety and liability issues we cannot allow anyone in any property during any non-leased period, such as in the summer. We also cannot allow you to store your belongings in the property prior or after the lease term. Every property must be completely vacant of belongings during the non-leased period. It's very difficult for us to do the work we need to do when items are left in the property. Any item left in the property will be considered trash and disposed of immediately after move-out unless the property is considered a carry-over* property.
* A carry-over is a tenant or group of tenants who live in the same property at least two consective lease terms in a row. Carry-overs may be allowed to store their belongings or live in the property over the summer.
