TIPS to Avoid Maintenance Visits & Tenant Charges
Maintenance Basics
Fox Property Management does not have an in-house maintenance team and all service requests are subject to vendor scheduling availability.
Please
include details and photos
(if necessary) on all work orders as well as your preferred times for vendors to schedule.
For quickest service, tenants should be home to provide access or leave a key for entry. Fox does its best to ensure that all charges associated with maintenance are posted to the correct party.
Please review the list below of easy fixes and maintenance tips to avoid unnecessary maintenance visits and potential tenant chargebacks.
Common Tenant Chargebacks
- Trip fees (tenants not home to provide access for scheduled visits)
- Clogged drains (hair, food, waste, etc.)
- Broken disposals (items dropped in)
- Furnace filter changes (filter cost only)
- Replacing light bulbs
- Resetting tripped circuit breakers or GFCI outlets
- Burst pipes due to heat not being left on to a minimum of 65 degrees
Batteries
During the lease term, tenants are responsible for replacing all batteries including those in smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, garage remotes, etc.
HOW TO CHANGE A SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERY
Dishwashers
Clean out filter or drain on bottom of dishwasher regularly.
Rinse dishes before running. Do not put pots and pans in.
Filters
Tenants are responsible for replacing any filters associated with the property including, but not limited to, furnace filters, built-in wall AC filters, and water filters in refrigerators every 2-3 months or as needed unless specified otherwise. If your fridge does not have a water dispenser or ice maker there is no filter. If you are not sure if you have a furnace, please contact your PM.
Drains & Clogs
All clogs related to food, hair, waste, etc, will be charged to tenants. Owners are responsible for clogs associated with roots, failed or broken lines, damage exceeding normal wear and tear, and if there is no cause found for a backup.
- Avoid food, hair, and grease in drains and/or too much toilet paper in the toilet.
- Low-flow toilets clog easily, keep a plunger on hand.
- Do not flush sanitary napkins, diapers, wipes, napkins, flushable wipes, or paper towels down the toilet
Garbage Disposals
Do not put other items down the disposal that can not be disposed of safely (grease, egg shells, rice, etc.) If your disposal is not working, please ensure it is turned off, and check that nothing is caught in the main disposal. Check under the sink for a reset button and see if you can reset the disposal.
WHAT NOT TO PUT IN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL
HOW TO INSPECT THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL
Heat
Ensure that heating systems work by changing your furnace filter regularly and never shutting off the light switch beside the furnace.
Leave heat at a minimum of 65 degrees during the cold months to avoid burst pipes. If you are in an older home, you can also open cabinets and leave faucets on a very slow drip.
Garden Hoses
Ensure all exterior garden hoses are removed during cold weather.
Leaks
Check for a water shut-off. Water heaters, washing machines, and toilets should all have a silver water shut-off valve. This is also in place on most under-sink piping. If you need access to, or cannot find your main water shut off, contact your PM.
Lightbulbs
During the lease, tenants are responsible for changing all light bulbs both on the interior and exterior of the home.
Lock-Outs
If you are locked out during our business hours of Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., please contact your PM to see if a key is available for you to pick up. There is a $150 fee to pick up keys in the office. If your key is not available in the office you will be responsible for calling a locksmith. For any after-hours lockouts, please contact a locksmith directly.
Power Outages
If power is out in only one area, please check the circuit breaker for any flipped switches. If you can not find this inside, please check the exterior of the home.
Check for any GFCI outlets that may have been flipped. These do not need to be located in the area power was lost in to affect the power going out. If power is out to the whole house, there is a service issue and the utility provider must be contacted directly.
HOW TO RESET A CIRCUIT BREAKER
Refrigerators & Washer/Dryers
If the fridge stops cooling, please check the circuit breaker for any flipped switches and any GFCI outlets that may have been pushed. If service is disrupted dry ice can be placed on the shelves to prolong food longer than a cooler.
Clean regularly and check and empty the interior lint trap in addition to the lint trap on the dryer.
Other Helpful Tips to
Avoid Charges:
- Report all maintenance requests in a timely fashion.
- Keep the property clean and well-maintained.
- Use cutting boards in kitchens to avoid counter damage.
- Clean up any spills ASAP.
- Always run the bathroom fan when showering or open the window to avoid water damage.
- Periodically check the property thoroughly for any damages.
726 Front Street, Suite 100 Louisville, CO 80027
720-583-4369 |
info@foxpropertymgmt.com
Jennifer Fox, Managing Broker
License #: EC100096633
Fox Property Management
Per HB23-1099, a prospective tenant has the right to provide the landlord a portable tenant screening report, as defined in section 38-12-902(2.5), Colorado Revised Statutes; and if a prospective tenant provides the landlord with a portable tenant screening report, the landlord is prohibited from charging the prospective tenant a rental application fee; or charging the prospective tenant a fee for the landlord to access or use the portable tenant screening report. The portable tenant screening report must be provided to the landlord directly by the consumer reporting agency and can be no more than 30 days old.
