Do's & Don'ts

DO’S…

Conventional patio furniture, potted plants, and bicycles are allowed on the balcony or patio.

DON’T…

• The balcony and patio are not for general storage and should be kept neat and orderly. 
• Please do not hang clothes, place cleaning equipment or recyclables on your balcony/patio, or in front of your apartment entrance.

DO’S ...

• Before leaving the restroom, make sure you flush the toilet to prevent build-up which can cause the toilet to clog.
• Dispose of personal hygiene products in the trash receptacle.
• Frequently clean bathtubs and sinks with non-abrasive cleaners.

DON’TS ...  

Never flush the following down the toilet: 

• Facial tissues
• Paper towels/napkins
• Cigarette butts
• Disposable diapers
• Condoms/condom wrappers                   
• Tampons
• Sanitary napkins
• Cotton/Q-tips
• Make-up removal pads/wipes
• Panty liners
• Personal pre-moistened wipes (baby wipes)
• Gauze or any other type of cotton, cloth, wipe, pad, or towel 

Horizontal 

• Twist the wand on the side of the blinds. This will allow you to open the blinds by adjusting the position of the slats.
• Locate the string on the side of the blinds and pull it down towards the floor until the blinds are lifted to the spot where you'd like them.
• Pull the string to the side (away from the window) to lock the horizontal blinds in place. If you let go of the string before pulling it to the side, the blinds will fall closed. 
  
  

Vertical 

For vertical blinds, twist wand to open and close. Use the wand to move blinds back and forth across doorway. When patio or balcony door is open, push the blinds open the length of the door opening to prevent the wind from snapping the blinds off.

Cordless:

Opening Cordless Blinds:

1. Twist wand to put vanes in open position.
2. To lower the blinds, hold the two clear
   bottom handles located at the base of the blind,
   to pull the blinds down or to push them up.
3. Cleaning your blinds periodically by wiping them with a soft cloth, a feather duster or using the round brush attachment from a vacuum cleaner.

You and your roommates will be responsible for keeping your apartment unit clean, and cleaning is an on-going task. It’s necessary to prevent pests and damage from accumulated dirt. 

DO…

• Let it cool.
• Pour into can or glass jar.
• Dispose of in trash can.

DON’T…

• Pour it outside.
• Pour down the drain.

DO...

• Use a power strip with a circuit breaker.
• Save energy by using the power management strip Embertec for your computer.
  Downloadable Embertec instructions [PDF]

DON’T...

Use extension cords, zip cords, or multi-plugs.

Your furniture is configured to be 3 ft. away from the wall heater.  The purpose for this this is to prevent fire hazards when the pilots are lit during the cooler months and to comply with the Fire Marshal requirements who inspects your apartments annually.

• Remember to follow the 3ft rule; keep furniture, sofas, papers, clothes and other combustibles away from the heater.

DO... 

• Run cold water and turn on wall switch to start garbage disposal.
• After grinding is complete, turn disposal off and run water for a few seconds to flush drain line.
• The disposal should be run at least once a week to prevent a clogged drain.
• Grind peelings from citrus fruits to freshen up drain smells.  

DON’T... 

• Don’t pour grease or fat down your disposal or any drain.  It can build up in the pipes and cause drain blockages.  Put grease in a jar or can and dispose of in the trash.
• Don’t use hot water when grinding food waste. It is OK to drain hot water into the disposal between grinding periods.
• Don’t fill disposal with a lot of vegetable peels all at once. Instead, turn the water and disposal on first, gradually putting them in.
• Don’t grind large amounts of egg shells, any pastas or fibrous materials like corn husks, artichokes, etc., to avoid possible drain blockage.
• Don’t turn off disposal until grinding is completed and only the sound of the motor and water is heard. 

DO…

• Maintain the stove and oven by wiping up spills as they occur and cleaning regularly.
• Always turn off the stove and oven when not in use and when no one is in the apartment.

DON’T...

• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Never use the stove or oven as additional storage space or as a space heater.

DO…

• Clean out the lint trap after each use.
• Clean up after yourself, including discarding used dryer sheets and cleaning up spilled laundry detergent.
• Download the PayRange App, add funds, then swipe to pay for your laundry from your smart phone. You will also receive alerts when your laundry is done.

DON’T…

Please do not leave your clothes in the machines. This may prevent another resident from doing their own laundry.

• If you have a problem with pests such as cockroaches, ants, fleas, or mice, submit a work order as soon as you notice the problem, as it may spread to other rooms and apartments.
  
  
• Be proactive in preventing pest problems by keeping your living area and kitchens clean of leftover food and crumbs, making sure food is properly sealed and not left out, and taking the garbage out regularly.

DO…

• Clean your refrigerator regularly.
• When cleaning a refrigerator, use baking soda in the rinse water to help prevent odors.
• Keep food tightly covered or wrapped to help prevent odors and frost build-up.
• Place items on the shelves so that air can circulate freely within the refrigerator.

DON’T…

• Pack your refrigerator too full; it will not cool properly.
• Don’t leave bottle caps open, this may cause spills.

DO’S…

• If you cook with oil, use less! Large amounts of oil in your cooking leads to lots of smoke, as well as grease build-up on counters and appliances.
• Use lower heat settings! Cooking food at a lower temperature will help to keep it from burning and causing smoke.

DON’T...

Please do not remove your smoke detector or cover it. Smoke detectors save lives!

Creating and maintaining a safe and secure living environment is everyone’s responsibility! 

• Please lock apartment doors and windows when leaving the apartment even for a short period.
• Do not leave your door open and unattended.
• Doors found open with no one home will be locked.
• Always keep your apartment key with you. Do not loan them to others or share your PIN number.

DO…

• Put your trash in a trash bag (do not use paper bags).
• Tie trash bags shut, and dispose of them in the dumpsters provided outside your apartments in the parking area.  
• Make sure you dispose of your trash before it becomes too heavy for you to carry.
• Avoid attracting pests such as ants, mice, and rats by keeping trash and recycling from piling up in your living areas, balconies, and patios.

DON’T…

• Do not use public trash cans or the trash cans in the laundry rooms to empty your trash.
• Trash and recycling containers are prohibited on patios and balconies for health and safety reasons.

• Window screens must be secured at all times and are intended to keep pests out.
• Residents may be charged a replacement fee if a screen is missing or bent.
• Please do not use your window to gain access to your apartment or bedroom or as an exit.