Correspondence

• Please do NOT send any correspondence priority mail or FedEx. Use regular mail or the complex's drop box.
  
  Maple Street Apartments C/o Manager
  555 W. Maple St., Apt. C
  Fayetteville, AR 72701

Move-in

• Please have elecricity put into your name effective the lease start date.
  
  Electricity - AEP SWEPCO, 1-888-216-3523
  Cable TV and Cable Internet - Cox Communication, 1-479-751-2000
  DSL - AT&T High Speed Internet, 1-866-722-9246
  Telephone Land Line - AT&T, 1-888-333-6651

• Cover your cooking range's drip pans with aluminum foil and put foil on the bottom rack of your oven.  This will save you a LOT of cleaning money later!  You can get aluminum drip pan liners at Walmart for about $2.00 for a set of two.

• We provide window treatments in the form of blinds.  Please do NOT install your own unless they are non-damaging (i.e., do not require supporting penetrations) to our building.  Spring-loaded expansion-type curtain rods are fine.  Damage to our walls is very expensive repair that is billed to the resident(s).  If you want to add a window treatment please use a spring-loaded curtain rod like the one pictured immediately below.

• Damage-free decorating and storage.  Please do NOT use nails, tacks, screws, and the like.  We suggest 3M's "Command" brand of hanger products.  We've been told the hangers can easily be removed without damaging walls, doors, et cetera.  Damage to our walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and cabinetry is a very costly repair that involves patching or filling holes followed by extensive painting.  The cost of the repair is billed to the resident(s).  Please remember to carefully remove the hooks when you move out.

• We also suggest use of over-the-door hooks and racks such as those pictured immediately below.  Plastic is preferable to metal-type hooks and racks because it doesn't leave metallic marks or scratches on doors that would necessitate painting.  Be aware that some hooks are intended for thick exterior doors.  They have a hanging-bracket too large for interior doors. Exterior door-intended hooks are typically for hanging coats and jackets.  Lowe's, Home Depot, , Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target and other similiar stores sell such hooks and racks as appear below.  If you can't find what you're looking for locally simply use the keyword "Over-the-door-hooks" or "Over-the-door-racks" in a web browser search.

• Please fill out and return the Unit Condition Form within 48 hours of taking possession of the apartment.  You may place the form in the complex's dropbox. 

Rent

• Monthly rental payments are due on the first day of each month.  Rental payments remitted after 5:00 pm on the fifth day of the month are subject to an initial Late Charge of $40 and an accumulating-daily Daily Late Charge of $10 for each day late.  Charges apply according to the following schedule:
  • $50 - Total late charges after 5:00 pm on the fifth day of the month but before 5:00 pm on the sixth day of the month
  • $60 - Total late charges after 5:00 pm on the fifth day of the month but before 5:00 pm on the sixth day of the month
  • $70 - Total late charges after 5:00 pm on the fifth day of the month but before 5:00 pm on the sixth day of the month
  • ...and so on.

No Candles Please!

• Candles are notorius for producing soot which manifests itself as "ghosting" or black/grey shadow on the paint around objects hung on walls and around the edges of ceilings.  Soot comes from the incomplete combustion of a carbon-based material.  Candle wax is a carbon-based (paraffin is petroleum-based and petroleum is carbon) material and scented candles are thought to be even more prolific producers of soot.  This is why we do not permit the use of candles in the apartments.  If ghosting occurs on your apartment's walls and ceilings we will have to paint and you will be billed for it.

There's another thing you should know.  Concerns have been raised about potentially carcinogenic dyes and perfumes used in candles.  Apprehensions have also been raised about the consequences of inhaling paraffin fumes.  Paraffin is obtained from petroleum!

In-Sink Disposal

• One of the most common calls for maintenance concerns in-sink disposals.  Nine times out of ten the cause is the direct result of the user allowing a hard object, fibrous foods, large items, or grease into the disposal.  The following is a protocol for the tenant to follow before contacting building managment:

1. With the disposal's wall switch OFF and the disposal's plug pulled out from the wall socket if it has a plug (look under the sink) or if it wired directly into the building's wiring trip the controlling circuit breaker to OFF (found in your apartment's breaker panel), use a flashlight to peer inside the disposal looking for any causitory objects that might be lodged.  With tongs remove the object.  Causitory objects are often too small to remove with tongs, however.  At your own risk reach down into the drain and feel around thoroughly for any small hard object and remove it.  Then, accessing the bottom of the unit by opening the cabinet doors below, look for the little reset button (an electric breaker for the machine to protect it from overheating).  Be sure it is not in the popped out position by pressing it in (upwards).  Then, plug the unit's cord back into the wall outlet or flip the circuit breaker back to ON if there's no plug, and with hands clear of the disposal, and with water running from the faucet flip the wall switch to the ON position.
2. If the above solution unnerves you go to Lowe's, Home Depot, or some other home improvement/hardware store, and ask for an in-sink disposal 1/4 inch hex (six-side) wrench/key for unjamming in-sink disposals.  They'll only set you back a few dollars.  Every household with an in-sink disposal should have one of these "JamBuster" wrenches.  They work GREAT!  The hex wrench is used to rotate the motor shaft and flywheel without having to access the inside of the disposer.
3. Once you have the wrench, insert it into the opening in the center of the bottom of the unit (in the cabinet under the sink) and move it back and forth in a circle.  A little bit of force may be necessary.  Doing so will usually clear the jam.  If you have to push very hard then STOP and call a plumber!  If the plumber determines that something other than a jammed disposal is at play then contact the complex's management.

GENERAL THERMOSTAT OPERATION

• If your apartment heating & cooling system has thermostat with a temperature-in-degrees capability please set it accordingly:
  • In the winter, please set it to 68 deg F while you're awake at home.  Set it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
  • In the summer, please set it to 78 deg F only when you are at home and need cooling.  Set it higher while away from home.
    • If your apartment has a ceiling fan use it and raise the thermostat about 4 deg F with no reduction in comfort (US Dept of Energy).  Remember, a ceiling fan only cools when you're under it!  So, turn it off when you're out of the room.

The human body has an amazing ability to adapt, yet conditioning habits have been to "turn it down" to the degree that one is shocked by the variable temp endured when moving from outside to inside ...  We need to start to re-calibrate our bodies to be better at adapting to variables, which is overall more healthful as well as energy conserving.       -- Ted Kloss

• Air conditioning misconceptions: A common misconception associated with thermostats is that an air conditioner works harder than normal to cool the space back to comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set lower.  In fact, a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of outside heat into your home! 

Another common misconception associated with thermostats is that by setting the thermostat ridiculously low in summer the indoor air temperature will drop faster, much like stepping on the gas while driving a car.  In fact, the temperature will NOT drop faster.  Air conditioning works at one speed and one speed only!  The problem with setting the temperature so low in summer is that people tend to forget about it and leave the apartment, wasting energy, increasing wear and tear on cooling equipment, and increasing the likelihood of water damage from clogged condensate drain lines. 

• Heating misconceptions: A common misconception associated with thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to bring the space back to comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set lower in the winter.  In fact, a lower interior temperature will slow the flow of outside cold air into your home!  As soon as your home drops below its normal temperature it will lose heat energy to the surrounding environment more slowly.  The lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss!

Another common misconception associated with thermostats is that by setting the thermostat ridiculously high in winter the indoor air temperature will rise faster, much like stepping on the gas while driving a car.  In fact, the temperature will NOT rise faster.  Heating works at one speed and one speed only!  The problem with setting the temperature so high in winter is that people tend to forget about it and leave the apartment, wasting energy, increasing wear and tear on heating equipment.

Move-Out

• Notice of Intent to Move Out - At least 45 day's written notice of intent to move out must be given to the management.  The notice must take the form of the Notice of Intent to Move-Out and must be signed by all lease-recognized residents of the apartment.  Verbal move-out notice is not sufficient under any circumstances.  In no event may the written move-out notice terminate the lease sooner than the end of the lease term or renewal or extension period.

• Utilities - Arrange to have electricity taken out of your name upon lease expiration (Jul 15 or Dec 31 as the case may be).  Do NOT have those utilities transferred out of your name earlier than the lease expiration date. 

• Change of Address - Be sure to make arrangements with the Post Office for a change of address five to seven days before moving out.  You may do this any number of ways including on-line.  Take a look at https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e1s1 for more information.

• Cleaning! - It should be obvious,but it'll be mentioned anyway - please do everything you can to leave your apartment in the same clean condition in which it was when you moved into it.  As you are cleaning up please be sure to:
  • Wipe down the edges and tops of the blades of the ceiling fans
  • Remove any curtain rods and clean the windows using a vinegar - water mix or glass cleaner
  • Remove all nails and tacks if any...and there shouldn't be any because their use is not damage-free decorating
  • Remove all tape and stickers
  • Pull out the refrigerator from the wall and clean around, behind, and inside it
  • Scrub the bath/shower stall and toilet (vinegar - water mix cuts right through soap film on bath/shower stalls)
  • Use a non-toxic oven cleaner (coat overn surfaces with paste of water and baking soda and let stand overnight, then scrub off)
  • Clean the microwave oven inside and out
  • Wipe down the walls (do NOT paint or fill holes), baseboards, cabinet and drawer faces and insides as well as closet shelves
  • Sweep the floors
  • Vacuum your carpet but do NOT have the carpet steam-cleaned.  We will take care of that, get a better deal, and pass it on!
  • Burned out appliance lights?  Refrigerator and oven: 40-Watt frosted incandescent
  • Replace dirty drip pans.  Acquire "Type A" replacements for approximately $6.50 at Walmart for a set of two.
  • Please discard your shower curtain or take it with you but leave our shower curtain rods behind.  We get them at Lowe's for around $12 to $15 should you be interested.

• Please DO leave:
  • Food - Unopened boxed and canned
  • Clothing - Clean, untorn and unstained
  • Small appliances - In working order
  • Utensils - In reasonable condition
  • Electronics - In working order only
  • Furniture - In good to excellent condition, unstained, and untorn
  • Books and Magazines - Covers and binding intact
  • Etc.

• Please DO NOT leave:
  • Opened containers of food
  • Inoperative electronics
  • Broken, torn, or stained furniture or bedding
  • Trash

• Getting Rid of Large Items - To get rid of large items such as matresses, sofas, loveseats, lounge chairs et cetera call Boston Mountain Solid Waste Management District to make arrangements for pickup.  Their telephone number is 1-888-426-9278.  You must do this several days in advance!

• Getting Rid of Computer-type Equipment - Free Geek Arkansas accepts donations of computer equipment in any condition. You can drop it off at their facility near the Fayetteville Square.  There are no fees for individual donors.  Address:

Free Geek Arkansas
30 N. Block Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Hours: Saturdays 10:30 am - 1:00 pm, Mon and Wed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

• Getting CASH for your GADGETS - To get cash for your cell phones, laptops, desktops, LCD monitors, external drives cameras, projectors, streaming media, home audio, satellite radio, Blu-Ray players, digital cameras, camera lenses, camcorders, video games, movies, MP3 players, PDAs, gaming consoles, and GPS devices go to Gazelle.com.

• Finally - When all of the above have been completed please leave door keys, mailbox keys, and the parking hang tag(s) on the kitchen counter along with a forwarding address.  Do NOT take any of the keys with you.  Please email or call the management indicating that you have completely moved out.

• Security Deposit Disposition - Within 60 days of the expiration of the lease term management will respond to the security deposit disposition.