Check for kink or disconnect of lift chain from the handle lever which is preventing the flap to seat properly

Submit a maintenance request through the tenant portal

Look for the valve which is located to the LEFT behind your toilet tank

Turn the knob to the RIGHT (clockwise) to close the valve and stop water flow

• Turn off water from the faucet if possible
• Locate water lines below the sink which lead to water valves
• Turn water valves to the RIGHT (clockwise) to stop the water flow
• NEVER Pour Grease Down the Drain
• Collect liquid grease to be recycled
• Wipe pans clean with a paper towel
• Rinse pans with cold water
• Food scraps go in the garbage, NOT the garbage disposal

• Remove toilet tank lid
• Lift up the fill valve (or float ball)
• Pull out the water tube
• Reach down and turn OFF the water valve (turn valve CLOCKWISE)

• Use appropriate liquid drain cleaner from the local market.
• Use ball or flange plunger
• Make sure hair and grease are not disposed of in the toilet or sink
• Use a plunger with short, quick motions.
• For the sink, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain, pour in ½ cup baking soda. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then pour a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup hot water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Flush one more time with a pot of boiling water.
• For clogged bathtub and shower drains-pour boiling water down the drain to unclog hair and soap build-up.
• Note: If the tenant caused clog then you will be accountable for the bill.
• Remove hair from the drain. Try pouring drain cleaner down the drain.

• Floss – not bio-degradable
• Grease, Oil & Fat – like heart disease, these will decrease the flow of pipes over time
• Band-aids – these are plastic and not bio-degradable
• Medications – contaminates the water supply
• Disposable Wipes – EVEN if they say you can, Don’t!
• Paper Towels – these do not break down like toilet paper
• Feminine Hygiene Products – including cotton pads and swabs
• Cat Litter
• Condoms
• Hair

Check the thermostat on the tank and turn down.

• Check for sounds of running water, trickling or hissing sounds
• Add 25 drops of food coloring to inside of toilet tank
• Wait 15 minutes…if no dye shows up in toilet bowl, no leak exists
• If dye appears in bowl, toilet needs repair. Please log a maintenance request through your tenant portal

While low water pressure can be annoying, it is often easily remedied

Click here to view a guide on ways to troubleshoot this issue

If your toilet won’t flush properly, the first step is to use your plunger to push the blockage through the system. Do not flush the toilet multiple times or you may flood your bathroom.

If your handle isn’t working, lift the cover of your toilet to make sure the chain is connected properly.

• If you don’t have hot water, you need to check that your hot water heater is working properly. Check the thermostat and make sure the water temperature is at the right setting. You should also verify that the tank is not in vacation mode. Try to reset the tank and wait 15 to 20 minutes before testing the water temperature.
• Check that a fuse hasn’t blown or that the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. Replace with the appropriate fuse or reset the circuit breaker.
• Check to see if the pilot light is on. If it is not you can follow the directions on the water heater to re light the pilot light.
• Check to see if the hot water tank is leaking
• Check fuse box for tripped breaker switch
• If it’s a gas water heater, check to see if the pilot light is out, if you can’t turn it on, call your gas provider for instructions.
• Make sure the gas service is on. Check the thermostat on the hot water tank. Is pilot light lit?
• Check breaker panel or fuses.
• Inspect for leaks around the hot water heater.

• Locate the air-intake grill that holds the filter.
• Open grill, remove the old filter.
• Replace with a new one – IMPORTANT: airflow arrow on the filter to point in the direction air is traveling (being “sucked” to).
• A clean filter will ensure your A/C is running smoothly and keep electric costs to a minimum.

• If the air filter has not been changed in 30 days, change it. Remember per your lease the filter must be changed a minimum of every 90 days. 95% of all service calls are due to dirty air filters
• If thermostat is digital and is not working check/change the battery
• If you notice ice on the coils at the unit, turn off AC and submit a maintenance request
• Check thermostat setting – set Fan to “auto”, set system to “Cool”
• Check circuit breaker – make sure it is not ‘tripped’
• Check to be sure the drain line is not clogged
• Check the fan unit outside – is the fan spinning and clear of leaves and branches?
• If your heater or air conditioner isn’t working properly, check your thermostat to make sure the settings haven’t been tampered with accidentally. Many modern thermostats allow you to reset the entire HVAC system with a few clicks. You may also want to call your utility company to make sure there are no problems with your account.
• Make sure Gas service is on with the utility provider. Check thermostat. Try changing batteries in the thermostat. Replace filters. Furnace covers on correctly? Is pilot light lit? Did breaker trip?
• Check ALL circuit breakers. If a circuit breaker overloads, it will trip off the circuit breaker. A tripped circuit breaker is often difficult to see, and it would appear that it is not tripped. Therefore, yli> must turn the breaker all the way off and then turn the breaker all the way on. If you do not turn the circuit breaker all the way off, it does not reset itself to correct the problem.
• Inform us if something is displayed in the thermostat (if it doesn´t show anything maybe it’s the batteries, just change them and see if the problem gets solved).
• And, please let us know if the unit is working but not cooling (air flowing from the vents) and when was the last time you changed the filters.
• If after checking the above and you still do not have air conditioning, please submit a Maintenance Request

• Turn off the electrical power to your furnace at the switch that should be located on or near the furnace.
• Locate the filter access.
• Open the filter access and remove the filter.
• If you haven’t done this already, look on the filter for the size and write the filter size and type on the furnace or near the filter access using a permanent marker.
• Change your furnace filter every three months if you use a pleated or polyester filter; every month if it is a fiberglass filter; every month if there is smoking or pets inside the home regardless of the type of filter you use.
• If your filter is located inside the blower compartment of the furnace take the time to vacuum out any dust and dirt that may have accumulated using a brush attachment. Take care not to damage any wiring inside of this compartment.
• Place the old filter into a plastic bag to prevent dust from getting back into your home and dispose of it in a trash can, do not put it into your recycle can.
• Put the new filter into the filter compartment, making sure to remove all packaging materials from the filter.
• Close the filter access and make sure all fasteners, clips or screws used to keep the access closed are put back into place.
• Turn the power switch or circuit breaker on.
• If your furnace doesn’t come on you can test it to make sure it comes back on by turning up the temperature setting on your thermostat control.
• If you turned up the thermostat be sure to return it to its original setting.

• Flip the wall switch near the sink
• Check to ensure that the lock is engaged
• Check timer setting to ensure it is aligned properly

Clean food out of the bottom of the dishwasher. Clean float. Rinse dishes before washing. Use jet dry once a month. Jet dry prevents hard water build-up.

• Make sure the power is OFF. Safety First!
• Check for blockage in the sink around the blades. Before putting your hands or utensil down the sink, make sure the unit is turned off. Never put these items down the disposal: chicken bones, onion peels, potato skins, rice, egg shells, and corn husk!
• Is the garbage disposal making a humming sound? Run your hand along the bottom of the unit for a small button. Once you find the button, press it to reset the disposal Press the reset button (also located on the bottom of the disposal)
• Is the garbage disposal humming and not turning. Look for the disposal wrench attached to the disposal use it to turn the bottom of the disposal counterclockwise. Then press the reset button on the bottom of the disposal
• Reset the safety switch underneath the bottom of the disposal unit in the sink cabinet. Turn power back ON.
• Locate your garbage disposal’s operating manual, if you can. It can instruct you on recommended garbage disposal repairs and give you a diagram of the disposal before you take anything apart.
• Find the hex wrench that came with the disposal. This tool is usually kept near the disposal for small repairs.
• A hex wrench is a small, thin metal tool. It has 6 sides and it tightens the mounting bolts on the disposal. It is often referred to as a hex key and is used for bike repairs and furniture construction.
• Turn off the garbage disposal using the circuit breaker. Occasionally, wall switches are not properly connected, so there should be no chance that power can get to the impellers.
• Hold a flashlight above the garbage disposal. Attempt to see down the disposal and find the cause of the clog.
• Remove the drain cover, or rubber catch, if possible.
• Stick a hex wrench or wooden spoon handle into the disposal. Rock it from side to side between the impellers to try to loosen any caught food.
• If you find some hard object, such as a bone, try to grasp it with tongs and pull it up. It is preferable to forcing it down the hoses.
• If you believe it is still clogged, leave the power off. You will need to go underneath the sink and remove the hoses that attach to the disposal. You can clear the impellers with the hex wrench from below.
• Turn on the water. Turn on the disposal. See if the disposal appears to be running better.

• Check whether the washing machine taps are turned on at the wall.
• Check if the appliance at the wall is turned on.
• Check if the lid is closing properly.
• Check if the settings knob is pointed directly on the desired settings.
• If the machine has stopped halfway through the cycle you may have overloaded the machine and caused it to be out of balance. Try redistributing the wash evenly in the drum.
• Don’t overload the machine.
• ONLY use laundry detergent NEVER use dishwashing detergent.

The dryer can automatically shut down due to overload of lint in the filter Check whether the filter needs to be cleaned out. Remember to always clean the filter out. *Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of dryer fires. 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and caused deaths, injuries, and millions of dollars in property loss*

• Slow water flow from your fridge? Try changing the water filter
• The filter should be changed every 6 months
• Each fridge will have its own unique filter system – you can find details for each in the manual or by searching online
• Locate the filter, twist to the left to remove, twist right to install
• Some may have a push-button system
• Reset the filter button to reflect a new filter has been installed

• Check the thermostat to make sure it hasn’t been turned way down by mistake.
• Be sure the vents on the back of the freezer compartment aren’t blocked by boxes of ice cream or frozen food packages-the vents have to be clear for cold air to circulate.
• Vacuum the coils under or behind the fridge. Clogged coils can cause poor cooling
• Clean the seals around the refrigerator doors to keep cool air from escaping

• Wet burners are usually why a gas stove top will not light
• When cleaning, avoid using too much water that will make the burners wet
• Try to clean using a damp cloth only
• To dry out, turn oven on to 350 degrees for 30 minutes

• If you have an electric dryer, unplug the machine, or if it’s a gas dryer, simply turn the supply valve off.
• Pull the dryer away from the wall about a foot or so.
• Disconnect the duct from the back of the dryer.
• Vacuum out the vent with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac.
• Vacuum out the duct or use a dryer duct-cleaning brush.
• Now locate the vent on the exterior of the property and remove the cover.
• Vacuum the exterior vent.
• Push the appliance back toward the wall.
• Reattach the vent cover outside.
• It’s a good idea to test that everything is secured properly and functioning appropriately while you’re still on-site, so a best practice would be to test the tumble air-dry function for a few minutes before you jet.
• Reattach the duct to the back of the dryer.
• Plugin (if electric) or twist the valve open (if gas).
• Once you’ve concluded that all lint and debris has been removed from the vents, that no damage has occurred and all safety codes have been followed, go ahead and put it all back together.
• There you have it! By keeping the area around the dryer clean and regularly cleaning the dryer screen before every use, not only will your residents’ clothes look better and dry faster, but they will also be helping you protect your home.

-Some outlets are known as GFIs located near wet areas of your home (i.e. kitchen and bathrooms)

-When power becomes overloaded they will ‘trip’ (stop working).

-Press the reset button on them to power back on (usually a small button in the center of the outlet plate)

-Still not working? Check other GFI outlets in the home and reset. If that does not work, find the breaker panel and check for flipped switches. Flip back to “On” to restore power.

-If you have an older home, you may have fuses as opposed to circuit breakers. Located inside or outside of your home is a fuse box that contains a fuse for each of your home’s circuits. A fuse provides protection for each of your circuits. When an electrical short occurs or the load on your circuit becomes too great, the fuse on that circuit burns out and breaks the circuit; this is what is referred to as a “blown fuse“. If your home uses circuit breakers instead of fuses, click here.

-Check appliances. Unplug all of them in the unit. Reset breaker, plug in one appliance at a time to find the faulty appliance.

-Contact your power company to inquire if there are power outages in your neighborhood.

-If your property loses power, ask your neighbors if you’re the only home affected. Power outages sometimes occur during stormy weather or because of nearby construction. If you’re the only home impacted, call the utility company for information.

-A circuit breaker provides protection by stopping the flow of electricity if an overload or fault occurs. When an electrical fault occurs or the load on your circuit becomes too great, the breaker on that circuit trips and interrupts the flow of current to that circuit. A tripped circuit breaker is still sometimes referred to as a “blown fuse” in reference to the older technology that circuit breakers replaced. If your home uses an actual fuse and not a circuit breaker. Before electricity can be restored, the circuit breaker must be reset. However, even before you do that, you must take steps to ensure that it is safe to do so. Turn off or unplug all of the devices that are plugged into the circuit. Make certain no dangerous condition exists before restoring power. A Circuit Breaker which has been tripped will either be in the middle or “OFF” position. Locate the tripped circuit breaker and reset it by pushing it all the way to the “OFF” position and then back to the “ON” position. Often when you can’t cannot reset the circuit breaker, it is because it must be turned all the way to the “Off” position first.

-Electricity should now be restored to the circuit. If the circuit breaker trips again before you have turned anything on or plugged anything in, please submit a maintenance request to First Rate Property Management immediately.

-If no circuit breakers were tripped and you still do not have power at an outlet, the circuit is probably on a GFC

• If problem persists, after following suggestions submit a maintenance request
• Mold can grow almost anywhere that spores land and find moisture and a comfortable temperature
• Mold is typically found indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals
• Almost every home gets some type of mold – the trick is to clean it up before it spreads
• The most visible type is mildew, which begins as tiny black spots. This is the stuff you see in grout lines in your shower, on damp window casings, etc.
• Check out this terrific site for more information on mold and how to clean it up: https://www.treatitlikedirt.com/how-to-clean/

• Make sure the emergency gas valve is turned on
• Check to be sure pilot light is lit

• First, realign key so it is in a vertical position (12 o’clock)
• Apply light pressure to smaller disc around the key (called a plug)
• Pull and remove the key from the lock

• Disconnect the smoke detector by twisting counter-clockwise
• Replace the battery with a new one (this will most likely stop the chirping)
• If it is still chirping, remove the battery and hold down the test button for 15 seconds to drain any remaining charge
• Insert the new battery and reattach to the wall/ceiling
• If this doesn’t fix the problem, please contact Princeton Management immediately. Do Not Remove Detector. It is required by law.

• Condensation is caused by high humidity in your home
• Run vent fans in bathrooms when showering to prevent condensation
• Turn on vent fans in the kitchen when cooking
• In extreme situations you may need to install a dehumidifier in your home

• The cost for any maintenance repairs that are deemed to have been caused by your actions or negligence.
• Missed scheduled appointment
• Office key copy to the property does not work

Have an emergency problem? Call 911 in life and death circumstances.

• If the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide (CO) alarm does not work, check the following:
• First, replace the batteries. Tenants are responsible for the replacement of batteries.
• If a new battery does not work, submit a maintenance request. It is important to replace batteries and NOT disconnect the smoke alarm or CO alarm.
• Normally the alarm will emit a beeping sound when the batteries are not working or losing their charge.
• Test your smoke and CO alarms every thirty days. If the alarm is not working after replacing the batteries, submit a maintenance request immediately. Do not disconnect or remove a smoke or CO alarm.

As household boilers, gas fires, most central heating systems and many ovens are fueled by gas, leaks do sometimes occur. So just in case your home does suffer a gas leak, follow these safety guidelines on what to do if you smell something.

USE YOUR NOSE

Your nose is your personal gas alarm. Domestic gas doesn’t actually have a smell, energy providers add it to the supply to enable you to sniff a gas leak out straight away. So always be aware of the smell of gas.

Got a blocked nose? Lost your sense of smell? You’ll still be able to tell if there’s a gas leak in your home. Physical symptoms can include: dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches and irregular breathing.

So, if you find this happening to you when you’re inside but not out, you could have a gas leak.

DON’T BE A BRIGHT SPARK

Don’t operate any electrical switches or create any flames, this includes flicking on a light switch and making sure you’ve turned off the cooker – and don’t even think about lighting a cigarette indoors!

VENTILATE THE PROPERTY

Open windows and external door immediately to allow the gas to dissipate as quickly as possible.

TURN OFF GAS AT THE METER

Not sure where the meter is? Then make it a priority to find out. Call your gas supplier if you need help locating it.

CALL FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP

Don’t attempt to sort the problem out yourself. Call for suitably qualified help immediately. Phone the National Gas Emergency Service.

EVACUATE IF NECESSARY

If you have an unventilated basement or cellar that has a strong smell of gas, evacuate everyone from the building immediately. If the smell is overpowering in other areas of your home, you may also want to wait for help outside – but only after implementing the preceding safety measures.

TELL THE NEIGHBORS

Let your neighbors know if you think they may be affected by the leak – it’s better to be safe than sorry!

WAIT FOR THE ALL CLEAR

If you’ve evacuated the premises, don’t let anyone (apart from the person sent to repair the leak, of course) back into the property. Wait to be given the all clear before going back inside.