Resident Handbook and Community Policies JBLMC.com
Table of Contents
Your Management Team 2 Your Community 2 Your Home 7 Appliances 12 Moving Out 13 Index 15 List of Documents available at District Office 16
Call Center Housing Services 253-912-2150 Maintenance Service Line 253-912-3500
Emergencies 911
Changes to this Handbook These policies may be modified from time to time. Unless local law provides otherwise, violations of these policies will constitute a breach of your lease. If there is a conflict between these policies and the lease, the lease will govern.
Resident Handbook V4 Revised April 2016
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Lewis-McChord Communities
Welcome to Your Lewis-McChord Communities Your Management Team
Smoking
We Are Here to Serve
Town Center has been designated as a smoke- free community.
There’s a lot to be said for living on base. Nothing else comes close to the convenience and the lifestyle. Our management and facilities team members are here to serve you. If you have a request for service or need information, please call, email or visit us. Regular office hours are posted at the office. Should a serious maintenance problem arise when the office is closed, our answering service will assist you.
All other communities: If smoking is allowed in your community, we ask that you be considerate of your neighbors and refrain from allowing the level of smoke coming from your home to become bothersome to others. Do not dispose of cigarette butts in common areas, including areas directly around your home. Improperly disposed of cigarette butts can create a fire hazard.
Your Community Elevators
Common Areas We work hard every day to make your community a pleasant place to live. You can help by keeping your yard, driveway, patio, carport and balcony (If applicable) tidy and free of clutter. Be sure not to obstruct any common areas, including shared driveways, carports, and if applicable hallways and stairwells. Please refrain from littering in the common areas of the community.
If you live in a building with elevators, do not use the elevators in the event of a power outage, fire or other emergency. If you must evacuate the building because of an emergency, refer to your evacuation plan and use the appropriate emergency exits. Please refrain from holding elevator doors open for prolonged periods as this may damage the elevator.
Flyer Distribution/Solicitation Community Considerations When you live on JBLM, it is important to be considerate of your neighbors. Please avoid disturbing your neighbors by keeping your stereo and television volume low. You are responsible for the behavior of all of your occupants and guests. Please avoid loud voices and noise – day and night.
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Except in areas designated for such purpose, you are not allowed to post or distribute flyers, notices or any type of advertising on doors, in common areas, on cars or anywhere else in the communities. Door to door solicitation is strictly prohibited.
Lewis-McChord Communities
Parking/Traffic Control
Pets/Animals
To better accommodate our residents, we have implemented rules concerning parking. Your assigned parking is your carport, garage and your driveway. On street parking, if available is on a first come, first served basis in all Lewis- McChord Communities. The street area directly in front of your home is not your exclusive parking area.
You must abide by your communities pet policies. In Town Center, please check with your neighborhood office to see which pets are allowed and which are prohibited prior to acquiring the pet.
You may not use your parking area for storage of any kind. Vehicles including motorcycles are not allowed to be parked on the grass, in front of dumpsters, or in any other area not appropriately marked for vehicle parking. No one is allowed to park in a marked handicap space unless the legally required handicap insignia is displayed in the vehicle. You may not park anywhere a No Parking Sign is installed. You may not use any parking space to park a vehicle that is inoperable, leaks fluid onto the pavement, is unsightly, is a safety hazard, or has an expired license plate. You may not use any parking space to perform vehicle maintenance or repair to include changing the oil. If you violate any of these parking policies, your car may be towed without notice and at your expense. Visit your District Office for more information on parking spaces.
Recreational Vehicles Recreational vehicles are not permitted to be stored within your neighborhood. Recreational vehicle parking lots are available through MWR. Please visit the JBLM website for more information. For temporary passes for your recreational vehicle please visit your District Office for the process.
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For all communities, the following restrictions apply. ¡ Pets allowed include dogs (except those determined, in management’s sole discretion, to be dangerous or potentially dangerous), domestic cats (to be kept indoors only), small caged animals, birds and tropical and/or goldfish. Residents may not board in privatized housing any dog of a breed (including a mixed breed) that is deemed "aggressive or potentially aggressive" unless the dog is a certified military working dog that is being boarded by its handler/trainer. For purposes of this policy, aggressive or potentially aggressive breeds of dogs are defined as Pit Bulls (American Staffordshire Bull Terriers or English Staffordshire Bull Terriers), Rottweiler’s, Doberman Pinchers, Chows, and wolf hybrids. Exotic animals such as, but not limited to, reptiles, rodents (other than hamsters and guinea pigs), hedgehogs, skunks, rats, raccoons, squirrels, potbellied pigs, arachnids, ocelots, coatimundis, ferrets, monkeys, snakes, prairie dogs, minks and farm animals are not allowed. Breeding of animals for any purpose in the Residence or anywhere on the Premises of LewisMcChord Communities is prohibited. You agree to keep all pets and animals currently licensed and tagged and current with all inoculations required by a government authority. Any pet(s) and animal(s) approved by Lessor must be kept inside the residence at all times except when on a leash or when securely confined in your fenced backyard, provided the fence is approved by management and is of adequate size and strength to restrain the animal. A pet must also be chained if the animal is able to scale the fence. Pets are not to be tied up and left unattended if there is no fence.
Lewis-McChord Communities
Any damage, including personal injury, caused by your pet or animal to the home or anywhere on the premises of Lewis-McChord Communities, to persons or the property of others is your responsibility. You agree to indemnify and hold management harmless from and against any and all damages, claims, causes of action, liabilities, injuries suffered by persons, or damage to property of any kind, whatsoever, which arise out of, or are caused by your pet(s) and any errors, omissions, or negligence in the supervision of Sponsor's pet(s); including without limitation, injuries caused by any pet bites and diseases caused or carried by the pet(s). Fish tanks shall not exceed 40 gallons and must be properly supported. You will ensure that animals are not tortured, tormented, or deprived of shelter, sanitary conditions, nourishment and protection from the weather. Pets will not be abandoned at any time. If animals are in an unhealthy environment, management reserves the right to remove the animal. Any charges resulting from this will be your responsibility. If your pet or animal becomes annoying, bothersome or in any way a nuisance, threat to other residents, occupants or guests, then upon notice from management, you will remove the pet or animal from the home. Examples of this behavior are: (1) unprovoked barking, growling or snarling at people approaching the animal; (2) aggressively running along fence lines when people are present; (3) biting or scratching people; (4) escaping confinement or restriction to chase people. If you, or the other occupants in your home, or any guests violate the pet or animal restrictions (with or without your knowledge), you will be subject to charges, damages, eviction and other remedies provided in the Occupancy Agreement, the Pet Addendum or this Handbook. If you retain a pet or animal in the home at any time during the term of the Occupancy Agreement (with or without management’s consent), management reserves the right to charge you for de-fleaing, deodorizing and/or enzyme shampooing the home as necessary at management’s discretion.
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Animal Control may pick up and impound any animal(s) that are found or reported running loose, left chained or left unsupervised outside of a fenced area. Notification is not guaranteed. Pet droppings are odorous, unsightly, and a nuisance. More importantly, they can be a health hazard, especially for children. Therefore, pets must be kept under control so they do not defecate on parade fields, playgrounds, troop formation areas, sidewalks/walkways, common areas, miniature playgrounds of the housing areas, and neighbors' yards. You will immediately clean up droppings when your pet defecates outside of your residence yard. Droppings in your residence, including your yard, will be removed daily. Pet owners are responsible for disposing of their pet's waste, whether the pet is on a leash or in a fenced area. A pet owner who does not properly dispose of his/her pet's waste will be subject to a fine of $25 for each offense plus $5 per day that the violation persists. Damaged lawns, shrubs, etc., caused by your pets are required to be repaired/replaced by occupants, as necessary. Pets will not be left in or out of the home during your absence or the absence of any/all occupants in the home for more than 24 hours. Pet sitting is not allowed in the Residence. Check your District Office for the most current installation microchip policy. Any violation of the rules may result in management’s requirement that the pet or pets be removed from the Residence.
Playground Facilities We want you to enjoy our playground facilities. Only you, your occupants and guests are allowed to use the playground facilities. You agree that you, your occupants and guests will avoid conduct that we deem inappropriate or disruptive. You, your occupants and guests assume all health risks and all risks of personal injury, death, property loss or other damages that may result from the use of the recreational facilities and release us from liability for injury or loss. It may also be necessary to occasionally close facilities for maintenance.
Lewis-McChord Communities
Community Centers All Community Centers are for the use of residents of Lewis-McChord Communities exclusively. Any resident in good standing (i.e. no balance owing) of any community may reserve any Community Center for any personal/social event if the center is available at the desired time. All reservations require a security/cleaning deposit. A Community Center may be reserved for military functions such as FRG meetings, unit picnics, etc. on any available Mon-Thurs. No military functions will be scheduled on Fri-Sun. A housing resident will need to complete the reservation form and bring the security/cleaning deposit at the time the agreement is signed. Request your reservation by visiting your District Office. You will be contacted to continue the reservation process, or call 253-912-2150.
Trash/Recycle Removal Baseline trash and recycle removal is included in your rent. Your home will be provided the appropriate size trash and recycle container or your neighborhood may provide dumpsters for trash and recycle. If you need additional trash containers, you may contract with the trash contractor for additional containers. You will be billed directly from the trash contractor. Your trash must always be contained within your trash container. Any trash outside of your container is your responsibility to remove. The trash collector will not collect any trash outside of your trash bin. Excess trash will incur fines. Hazardous waste such as but not limited to batteries, motor oil, compact fluorescent light bulbs, etc. cannot be disposed of in your regular trash. All hazardous waste must be taken to Buildings 1210 & 1206 on Lewis Main. Check your District Office for additional information and the process regarding bulk pick up options. The collection schedule is available in your District Office.
Criminal Activities
Resident Handbook V4 Revised April 2016
As a reminder, always keep your doors and windows locked and be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. As you can appreciate, no one can ensure your personal safety. However, by being alert and taking sensible precautions, you can minimize the likelihood that a criminal act will occur. If you have been the victim of a crime, suspect a crime is occurring on the property, or notice anything unusual or suspicious, please contact law enforcement authorities immediately. Once you have notified law enforcement personnel, be sure to also notify your neighborhood office.
Registered Sex Offenders – (RSO) No RSO individuals are allowed to be a guest or resident on JBLM.
Vehicle Theft and Vandalism Precautions Please consider these simple tips to help prevent vandalism or theft when parking your vehicle. Always lock your vehicle. Never leave the keys in an unattended vehicle and do not hide a set of keys inside or outside of your vehicle. Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Do not keep your vehicle registration and title documentation inside the vehicle. Do not affix your name and address to your keys. If your vehicle is vandalized or broken into, please contact law enforcement personnel. Once you have notified law enforcement personnel, be sure to also notify the office.
Your Home Home Access If you wish to allow anyone access to your home when you are away, you must give us written permission in advance. Access the Extended Absence Form in your District Office.
Keys, Remotes and Locks We supply each resident with home and mailbox keys. We may also provide remotes for garage doors if applicable. Extra keys or replacements can be provided at our Maintenance Facility with photo ID and proof of residency. All keys and remotes must be returned to the neighborhood office when you vacate your home. Please notify the office immediately if any
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Lewis-McChord Communities
key or remote is lost, damaged or stolen. Please keep all doors, windows, and other openings, such as sliding glass doors, locked at all times. If you happen to find yourself on the wrong side of your locked door during normal business hours, you may call the office to request help. After hours lock out services will require you to call a locksmith at your own cost.
While You Are Away We recommend some simple tips before leaving on a trip or vacation. Uncollected newspapers and an overflowing mailbox may indicate that you are absent. It is a good idea to cancel your newspaper delivery and request your local post office to hold your mail while you are away. If you use social media to communicate with others, be cautious about advertising your absence from home. Dispose of your garbage and unwrapped food in your cupboards. Close and lock all windows and doors. Ensure your appliances are unplugged or turned off. Extended Absence form is available in your District Office. To avoid frozen pipes while you are away in the winter, please set your thermostat to no less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Open all cabinets below sinks to allow warm air around pipes.
Fire Prevention
fireplace, please refrain from overloading the fireplace with too much wood. Do not use the fireplace as an incinerator to burn paper or other items not intended for burning in a fireplace. In case of fire, call 911 first, and then, call the neighborhood office. Your home is equipped with smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors. You should test each smoke detector and /or carbon monoxide detector on a monthly basis and immediately replace dead or low batteries. Please call the office immediately to report smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detector malfunctions or deficiencies. Neither you nor anyone else is allowed to remove, tamper with, or disable any smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors in your home. If your building is equipped with automatic sprinklers, please refrain from hanging items from the pipes or sprinkler heads, as this can damage the sprinkler system and cause flooding. You are responsible for any damage caused by tampering with or hanging items from any such sprinkler system.
Residents with Disabilities We are firmly committed to the principles of Fair Housing and the needs of residents who are disabled. If you or any occupant in the home, as a result of such disability, require an accommodation to our rules, policies, practices or services, or a physical modification to the home, please contact the leasing office for assistance.
We urge you to make a regular inspection of your apartment for potential fire hazards. Please take the following precautions to help eliminate fire hazards. Immediately replace worn or frayed cords, plugs or wiring on your personal lamps, electronics and small appliances (or have them repaired by a qualified electrician).
Reasonable Accommodation Form and FAQ’s are available in your District Office.
Rearrange lights and other fixtures or appliances to minimize use of extension cords and avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances or plugs. Do not smoke in bed and do not empty ashtrays into wastebaskets. Never leave burning candles unattended. Do not leave food cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended. Never throw water on a grease fire; rather, pour baking soda or salt into the pan to extinguish the fire. Do not store any combustible goods or materials that could increase the risk of fire or damage in your home or in any storage space. If your home has a wood burning
We understand that your personal privacy is very important to you. In the course of your residency with us, we may collect personal information from you. We will take reasonable measures to maintain your personal information in a secure location and will limit access to personal information to only those who have a business reason for having such access. We do not sell your personal information.
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Privacy Policy
Insurance
Lewis-McChord Communities
Use and Occupancy of Your Home We require all residents to maintain a policy of liability insurance issued by an authorized insurance company that provides limits of liability in an amount of at least $100,000 per occurrence. You must furnish proof of insurance to us on or before the commencement date of the Lease and, you must continue to provide evidence of coverage throughout your residency. More details concerning this requirement are set forth in your Occupancy Agreement. You must provide proof of liability insurance by providing one of the following documents to your community office: Declaration Sheet Certificate of Coverage Confirmation of Coverage letter from agent or insurance company Your policy must list the following as an interested party: Lewis-McChord Communities, LLC P.O. Box 3687 Coppell, TX 75019 Lessor has partnered with Resident Shield Insurance Services to offer affordable renters insurance coverage to Residents. If Resident chooses to purchase a policy through Resident Shield, proof of Resident’s Minimum Required Insurance and ongoing maintenance of active coverage is automatically provided to Lessor and Resident is not required to take any further action for the duration of the lease. You can obtain such insurance through Resident Shield or through the insurance agent of your choice. If you select an insurance company other than Resident Shield, you must name the Community as an Interested Party under your policy. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you obtain renter’s insurance to cover the contents in your apartment, garage or storage space. We recommend you prepare a detailed list of your valuables and small appliances, including pertinent information.
Use of Your Home Your home is to be occupied and used as a private residential household only. You may conduct a lawful business “at home” by computer, mail or telephone if customers, clients, patients or other business associates do not come to the home for business purposes. Any exceptions, such as “Home Child Care Service” must be pre-approved by JBLM and the Director of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DMWR). Any lawful business that is allowed as stated above must be conducted in accordance with applicable laws. Lewis-McChord Communities, LLC will require proof of all required registrations, insurance and permits to be submitted once approval is given by your neighborhood office but before any business is conducted. If your home based business becomes a problem/nuisance in the neighborhood (such as disturbing the quiet enjoyment of your neighbors, the visual appearance of your home, or makes you unable to use any portion of your home for the intended purpose) you agree to immediately close the business and correct any issues that may be pending. Determination of an acceptable business is at management’s sole discretion. Occupancy of Your Home The maximum occupancy of your home is two persons per bedroom plus one additional person in your household. For example, maximum occupancy for a three (3) bedroom home would be seven (7) persons. Only occupants listed on your Occupancy Agreement may occupy your home. The only approved occupants of your home will be listed on DD FORM 1172 also known as your DEERS form. Children born, adopted or who became dependents by marriage may occupy the home subject to the occupancy standards above. Additional family members must be added to the Occupancy Agreement as soon as proper legal documentation is obtained.
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Lewis-McChord Communities
Your spouse and/or family members are required to be in the residence within 30 days of move in. Your spouse and/or family members are required to remain living with you during your occupancy of family housing. In the event your spouse and /or family members move out of your residence, your eligibility for family housing ceases.
difficult to hang, please call the office. Mirror tiles, contact paper, wallpaper and other wall coverings with adhesive backing are not permitted. You are responsible for all holes and other damage caused to the walls of your home during the term of your occupancy. Historic homes must not be altered in any way. Please refer to the Historic Housing Addendum in your lease.
Windows You may have an authorized guest in your home for up to thirty (30) calendar days only per year. To be an authorized guest: 1. The guest must have a permanent address elsewhere 2. The guest must not be receiving mail at your residence 3. The guest must not have children enrolled in local public school 4. The guest must not be assigned for duty at JBLM 5. The guest must not be from the local area 6. The guest must not be looking for work or applying for public assistance in the area Assignment or Subletting by You You may not assign your Occupancy Agreement or sublet all or any portion of your home. (Subletting is the process of transferring your lease to another Service Member).
Walls Other than hanging pictures, you may not decorate, install any fixtures, major appliances, devices, or signs, or make any alterations or other additions to your home without our permission. Any decorations, alterations, additions or fixtures that you make will be made at your expense in accordance with our standards and specifications. Unless we agree otherwise, they will remain a part of the home after you move out. Any permitted decorations, alterations, additions or fixtures that are made without our permission will be removed at your expense. You will not, without our permission, install or use any electrical equipment that will overload the existing wiring installations in your home or interfere with the use of electrical equipment wiring facilities by other residents. Please do not use sticker-type hangers, as the adhesive is difficult to remove from the wall. We prefer you use slanting mail type hangers. If you have questions about items that are heavy or
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Your home may have mini-blinds, and/or vertical blinds. Please be sure the louvers are in the open position when opening or closing the blinds to prevent damage. Please also ensure there are no continuous loop pull cords on any mini- blinds or vertical blinds and do not tie any such cords together. Loops pose a safety hazard to small children. If any of your pull cords are looped together, please contact the office. Signs in windows are not permitted. The one exception to that would be a Child Care Provider licensed by DMWR.
Floors Care and maintenance of the carpet in your home is your responsibility. The carpet should be vacuumed frequently. If you have spots on your carpet, call the office first before attempting to remove them and we will suggest the best method. Tile floors should be cleaned with mild soap and water. Any wall-to wall carpeting or area rugs that are affixed to the floor may only be installed with the use of adhesive strips or a method that will not mar or deface the floor. You are responsible for any damage to the floor caused by your installation of area rugs or carpeting.
Hardwoods / Solid Surface Floors Regular care including sweeping, vacuuming and/or dust mopping will maintain hardwood and solid surface flooring. Do not use wax based products such as Orange Glo 4-in-1 or Mop & Glo. These types of products damage hardwood floors and you could be responsible for the cost of repairs / replacement.
Lewis-McChord Communities
for limitations on grilling in your neighborhood. Choose cleaners like Zep Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner that leave no sticky residue. Standard cleaners will work fine for vinyl flooring; do not use waxed based products. Please see more detailed instructions in your District Office in Solid Surface Floor Care Instructions.
Cabinets, Doors and Woodwork Cabinets and woodwork should be cleaned regularly with mild soap and warm water. Paneled accent walls, if any, should be cleaned and polished using products specifically formulated for use on paneling.
Lights
Meriwether Landing/ Westcott Hill communities that have common BBQ/fire pit areas will need the cover to be replaced once the fire pit has completely cooled. All Residents are responsible to remove all trash/debris to be ready for the next resident to use. For all other communities, all BBQ grills must be used at least 15 feet from your home to prevent damage to the siding. BBQ grills/fire pits are not to be used under overhangs, eaves in garages or carports.
Only commercially purchased above ground fire pits are allowed in family housing and must be used at least 15 feet from your home and within your own yard.
All lighting fixtures are in good working order when you moved in. It is your responsibility to replace light bulbs as needed.
All communities need to properly store flammable materials, keep a fire extinguisher or water source readily available and supervise all fires by an adult until extinguished.
Please see list of bulbs by neighborhood in your District Office.
The burning of leaves, garbage and paper is strictly prohibited.
Holiday Decorations
Landscaping
Please go to your District Office for Seasonal Guidelines.
Landscaping services are currently included in your rent. On your lawn service day, you will need to ensure that your lawn is free of toys and personal belongings so the mowers can cut your grass. You can have one large non moveable item in your yard such as a swing set or trampoline. Please see your District Office for Outdoor Policies. The mowers will cut within two (2) feet of the item. You will be responsible to cut the grass under and the two (2) feet around the item.
Balconies, Patios, Hallways, Breezeways, and Stairways Please keep all balconies, patios, hallways, breezeways, and stairways free of items such as trash, furniture not intended for outdoor use, mops, rugs and towels. Do not hang flags or other items from balconies or windows. Do not hang, shake, or dispose of any articles, including trash or cigarette butts, from the windows, doors, porches, or balconies. Do not place anything on exterior window sills. Fire regulations require that hallways, breezeways, and stairways be kept clear at all times. Do not use these areas for storage. Keep bikes, strollers, etc., out of these areas.
BBQ/ Fire Pits
You may choose to maintain your own lawn if desired. Contact your Community Office for a sign to put in your window. If the home you live in has a fence either provided or installed by you, you are responsible for the maintenance of your yard. All flowerbeds adjacent to your home are your responsibility to maintain weed-free. Failure to maintain may result in fines.
Storage Areas
If you wish to cook outdoors, Town Center residents please refer to your lease documents
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Your home may provide storage space. Do not place any items considered to be hazardous, toxic or harmful or that may increase the risk of fire or damage to the home, building or neighborhood in your storage space. Areas such a water heater closets, furnace closets, garages, etc., are not designated storage spaces and therefore should not be used for any type of storage.
Satellite Dishes/Fences Please visit your District Office for these policies, directions for prior approval and request form. Failure to receive prior approval of a satellite dish/Fence will result in removal of the dish/fence at your expense and loss of privileges.
Pest Control Please contact the Call Center immediately if you experience any pest related issues in your home.
Bed Bugs Bed bugs are becoming more prevalent across the country and we need to work together to keep them out of our communities. While the presence of bed bugs is not always related to personal cleanliness or housekeeping, good housekeeping will help control the problem, if it arises. Bed bugs travel from place to place in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, bedding, furniture, and anywhere else they can hide. You certify that, to your knowledge, at move in, you did not bring bed- bug infested items into your home. Also, please refrain from bringing furniture or other items that may be infested with bed bugs into your home. Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people and animals. A newly hatched bed bug is semi-transparent, light tan in color and about the size of a poppy seed. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, about the size of an apple seed, and can live several months without feeding. Bed bugs are usually found near the areas where people sleep. They can be found in mattresses and box springs seams and tufts, sheets, pillowcases, headboards, dresser tables,
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upholstered furniture, baseboards, stuffed toys or any other clutter or objects around a bed. Bed bug infestation can be controlled with pest management. Notify us immediately if you believe you have bed bugs. Once you report an infestation, we will schedule a pest control professional to inspect your home and confirm that bed bugs are present. It is extremely important that you provide us access to the home so that we can promptly address the issue. If a bed bug infestation is confirmed, we will provide you with instructions about preparing your home and belongings for the pest control application. Failure to follow these instructions may result in ineffective treatment. In some cases, multiple treatments will be required. Please note that you will be held responsible for pest control expenses incurred to address a bed bug infestation in your home or any surrounding or adjacent homes if you: 1.) fail to notify us within three days of your discovery of the bed bugs; 2.) are found to be responsible for the introduction of bed bugs to you home and the community; 3.) obstruct or inhibit our prompt access to the home to inspect and treat the infestation; and 4.) fail to fully comply with the pest control preparations and treatment instructions. Your failure to follow instructions or to allow us access to you home hinders our ability to effectively treat your home for bed bugs. If you fail to cooperate with us in addressing these issues, we may take action to recover possession of your home via the lease termination process. Any repeated occurrences of bed bug infestation of your home may be considered a default under your lease.
Water Furniture You may not have a water bed or other water filled furniture, without first obtaining written permission from Lewis-McChord Communities. Permission will not be unreasonably withheld. If approved, additional renter’s insurance will be required at the resident’s expense.
Countertops Please wipe up spills on your countertops promptly to avoid stains and use hot pads to protect kitchen counter surfaces. Do not cut items directly on your countertop with a sharp knife or other utensil.
Lewis-McChord Communities
Countertops, sinks, vanities, toilet bowls, bathtubs and bathtub enclosure walls should be cleaned using a liquid or spray cleaner. Abrasive powder cleaners can scratch and otherwise damage the surfaces and should be avoided. In Westcott Hill, Broadmoor and some Meriwether Landing homes, avoid using harsh chemicals, especially acidic or alkaline products, on marble, granite or natural stone countertops, as they can cause damage to polished stone. Granite and natural stone countertops should be cleaned using only warm, soapy water.
Plumbing If your water is not hot, please report it to the Call Center immediately. Likewise, if any of your pipes or faucets begin to leak or if your toilet tank is continually running, call us and we will repair it. If the caulked areas around your bathtub and tiles become cracked, broken, or chipped, please contact the Call Center to schedule service. Paper towels, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, and other similar items should never be flushed, as they inhibit normal drainage and cause damage to the sewer system. Should your toilet overflow, immediately turn off the water supply to the tank by turning the handle located under the tank clockwise. If the water supply cannot be turned off, lift the cover off the tank, reach inside and push the flapper firmly into the hole in the bottom of the tank. Contact the Call Center for service immediately. In cold weather, you must provide appropriate climate control and take measures to avoid freezing pipes in your home. To control the climate in your home, please maintain a temperature of no less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. During freezing weather ( i.e., when the outdoor temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit), you should keep sink cabinets doors open and leave hot and cold water faucets dripping when requested by the management office. You must immediately report to the Call Center any evidence of a water leak or excessive moisture in your home, any storage room, garage or other common area, and any failure or malfunction in the heating system.
Smoke Detectors Your home has smoke detectors located on all floors designated as a living area. Some of these smoke detectors are battery operated only, some are hard wired into the home and some homes have both hard wired and battery operated models. You are responsible to maintain the smoke detectors in good working order. Please change batteries in those detectors which are battery operated at least every 6 months. A good way to reminder is to change the batteries every time you set your clock forward or backward in conjunction with Daylight Savings time and Standard time.
Thermostat Controls Your home is controlled by an individual central thermostat or individual radiator controls. To assure comfort and conserve energy, set the thermostat at one temperature and leave it there. To keep air conditioning (if applicable) and heating equipment working at peak performance, follow these simple guidelines. Keep filter clean. We will replace or clean your filters yearly, if you need additional replacements contact the service line for an appointment. Do not obstruct or place any personal property in front of any air conditioning or heating equipment or vents. This could impair circulation and prevent proper venting of exhaust, which could result in higher utility bills, constitute a safety hazard and cause permanent damage to the premises. In communities with air conditioning: In hot weather, set the selector switch to COOL and set the fan switch to AUTO. Set the controls between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit to provide maximum cooling. Setting them lower will not cool your home any faster. Your air conditioner functions most efficiently when all doors and windows are closed. We recommend keep you window coverings closed during the day to keep your home cooler. For all communities: When it becomes cold outside, set the selector switch on your thermostat to HEAT and set the fan switch to AUTO. Set the controls between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit to provide the
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Lewis-McChord Communities
maximum heating. Setting them higher will not heat your home any quicker. In the winter, open your window coverings during the day to allow the sun to warm you home and help reduce the power load. Do not switch your thermostat directly from COOL to HEAT or from HEAT to COOL. This could cause permanent damage to your unit. Turn it to the OFF position first.
Mold and Mildew Prevention It is our goal to maintain the highest quality living environment for our residents. To help achieve this goal, it is important to work together to minimize mold and mildew build-up in your home. You can help by taking the following actions. When the weather is dry, open you windows frequently to allow air and sunlight in. It may help to run the fan on your furnace to circulate fresh air throughout your home during these times. Move large objects just a few inches away from the inside of exterior walls to provide good air circulation. In damp or rainy weather conditions, keep windows and doors closed. Please maintain a temperature between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit within your home at all times. Clean and dust your home on a regular basis. Regular vacuuming, mopping and use of environmentally safe household cleaners are important to remove household dirt and debris that mold feed on. Periodically clean and dry the walls and floors around the sink, bathtub, shower, toilets, windows and patio doors using a common household disinfecting cleaner. On a regular basis, wipe down areas where moisture sometimes accumulates, like countertops, windows and windowsills. Use the pre-installed bathroom fan when bathing or showering and allow the fan to run until all excess moisture has vented from bathroom. Use the exhaust fans in your kitchen when cooking or while the dishwashers is running and allow the fan to run until all excess moisture has vented from the kitchen. Limit houseplants to a reasonable number to keep the moisture level in your apartment at a minimum. If you have a clothes dryer, ensure that the vent is properly connected and be sure to clean the lint screen before every use. When washing clothes in warm or hot water, watch to make sure condensation does not build up within your laundry room or laundry closet: if condensations
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does accumulate, dry with a fan or towel. Thoroughly dry any spills on carpeting. Do not overfill closets or storage areas. Do not allow damp or moist stacks of clothes or other cloth materials to lie in piles for an extended period of time. Immediately report any evidence of a water leak or excessive moisture in your home, storage room, garage or any common area. Immediately report any evidence of mold or mildew-like growth that cannot be removed by simply applying a common household cleaner and wiping the area or any area of mold or mildew that reappears despite regular cleaning. Also immediately report any failure or malfunction with your heating, ventilation or airconditioning system. Do not block or cover any of the heating, ventilation or air-conditioning ducts in your home. Immediately report any inoperable windows or doors and any musty odors in your home. You are responsible for damage to the premises and your property as well as damage, loss or injury to you, your occupants and guests resulting from your failure to comply with the terms of this paragraph.
Appliances Never leave appliances unattended that are in use. If any of the appliances in your home stop working, we will fix them for you. However, before you call the Call Center, check the electrical cord to ensure it is firmly plugged into the outlet and then check the circuit breaker to see if it is tripped. If these appear in order, submit a service request.
The Disposal A garbage disposal is a convenient appliance if used properly. Do not overload it. The safety overload on the motor will engage if the disposal is overloaded and it will turn off the disposal. To reset the safety overload, wait three or four minutes for the motor to cool. Then, push the button on the bottom of the garbage disposal unit. Keep your hands and any other objects out of the disposal when it is running. For best operation, follow these steps: Push, but do not stuff food refuse through the splash guard into the disposal. A mixed load of hard and soft waste works best. Turn cold water on to full flow. Flip starting switch “on�. Allow disposal to operate
Lewis-McChord Communities
until grinding sound diminishes and becomes a humming sound. Turn switch off and run cold water for a few moments longer. Do not discard the following items in your disposal: metal, string, coffee grounds, olive or fruit pits, plastic, grease, paper, cigarettes, bones, banana peels, oyster or clam shells, dish rags, celery, corn husks, or other nonfood items. If a spoon, bottle cap or other item becomes lodged in the disposal, make sure the disposal is turned off before you attempt to retrieve the object.
powders and metal sponges should be avoided. Wipe down the shelves and interior surfaces using mild soap and water or a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda to 4 quarts water. Regular cleaning and a fresh, open box of baking soda placed on a shelf and change monthly will keep your refrigerator odor-free.
The Dishwasher
The Oven and the Range
Food particles left on dishes will jam the dishwasher. Please scrape and rinse every dish under running water before loading it in the dishwasher. Do not crowd dishes, cups and glasses, or silverware so the water can freely circulate. For maximum efficiency, avoid covering the center hole in the drawer rack. Use only dishwasher detergent products. Do not use regular dish soap or laundry detergents, as they will cause the dishwasher to overflow.
Your range is equipped with separate controls for the oven, broiler and each of the top burners. If you have never used an electric or gas range before, please let us know. We will be happy to instruct you on its proper use.
You can save power and reduce your electric bill by waiting to run your dishwasher until you have a full load. However, do not leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher for a long period of time.
Clean the top burner drip pans with mild soap and water, appliance or glass cleaner on a regular basis, or line them with aluminum foil. If you use aluminum foil, be sure the foil does not touch the heating element. If your burner drip pans become spotted with grease or burned-on food, use a scouring pad to clean them. If they are in need of a more thorough cleaning, drip pans can be lifted out of the range by raising the burner.
Town Center Apartment Style Homes In-Apartment Washers and Dryers
The disposal is self-cleaning. Do not use caustic drain cleaners at any time. A lemon or orange rind or baking soda will keep the disposal odor- free.
Clean your oven regularly. A dirty oven and broiler area greatly reduce the efficiency of your oven and could result in improperly cooked foods. Using the broiler tray will greatly reduce the cleaning and maintenance needed in the oven. Please follow the self-cleaning oven instructions given to you at move in. Remove hood filters regularly and clean them in hot soapy water. Clean the outside with a non- abrasive appliance or glass cleaner.
The Refrigerator The temperature control dial may be set at whatever position best suits your needs. Clean the outside of the refrigerator with appliance or glass cleaner. Abrasive cleaning
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Clean and check the lint trap on your dryer before each use. Do not dry plastic items. Do not store anything on top of or near the dryer or obstruct dryer vents. Inspect your washer and dryer hose and vents on a regular basis and report any maintenance issues to management. When using you washer or dryer, follow manufacturer’s requirements on load limitations. Never, under any circumstances, loosen any water connection to the washing machine box without our prior permission. You are responsible for any damage, including, without limitation, flooding, caused by tampering with any such water connection.
Guest Sponsorship Guest sponsorship is a program for residents whose sponsor will be away from their home due to deployment, schooling or other military commitments for a scheduled amount of time. Please refer to page 7 under Occupancy of Your Home for the definition of a guest. Visit your Community Office for a Guest Sponsorship Request packet.
Lewis-McChord Communities
Retention of Housing Retention of housing is a program for residents whose sponsor is assigned to a dependent restricted duty station (rare), school for less than 12 months, has family travel pending on PCS orders or school year stabilization. With military unit sponsorship, your family may be able to retain housing during the absence of the sponsor. Visit your Community Office for a Retention of Housing packet.
Moving Out When it’s time to move out, we have a few simple requirements: 1)
You must visit your neighborhood office to complete a Notice to Vacate. At that time a preinspection appointment will be made. You will also schedule the date and time of your final inspection which is the date and time you will turn over keys and walk away from the home. 2) You must provide us with a valid forwarding address. 3) As required by your lease, you must leave your home in the same clean, undamaged and ready-to–rent condition as when you moved in, taking ordinary wear and tear into account. Ordinary wear and tear would include such things as traffic wear across the carpet, but not burns or stains. When you vacate your home, any personal property left in your home will be considered abandoned and may be disposed of, without liability to us, subject to applicable laws. If we incur costs for cleaning and or repairing your home or for removing trash or other items left behind after you move out, we will pass those costs through to you.
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Lewis-McChord Communities
INDEX
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Lewis-McChord Communities
Appliances 12 Assignment or Subletting 7 Balconies, Patios, Hallways, Breezeways & Stairways 9 BBQs and Fire Pits 9 Bedbugs 9 Cabinets, Doors and Woodwork 8 Common Areas 2 Community Centers 5 Community Considerations 2 Countertops 10 Criminal Activities 5 Dishwasher 13 Disposal 12 Elevators 2 Fences 9 Fire Prevention 6 Floors 8 Flyer Distribution/Solicitation 2 Guest Sponsorship 13 Hardwoods / Solid Surfaces 8 Holiday Decorations 8 Insurance 7 Keys, Remotes and Locks 5 Landscaping 9 Lights 8 Mold and Mildew Prevention 11 Moving Out 13 Occupancy of Your Home 7 Oven and Range 12 Parking/Traffic Control 3 Pest Control 9 Pets/Animals 3 Playground Facilities 4 Plumbing 10 Privacy Policy 6 Recreational Vehicles 3 Refrigerator 13 Registered Sex Offenders (RSO) 5 Residents with Disabilities 6 Retention of Housing 13 Satellites 9 Smoke Detectors 11 Smoking 2 Storage Areas 9 Thermostat Controls 11 Trash/Recycle Removal 5 Use and Occupancy of Your Home 7 Vehicle Theft and Vandalism Precautions 5 Walls 8 Washers and Dryers 13
Resident Handbook V4 Revised April 2016
Water Furniture 10 While You Are Away 6 Windows 8 Your Home 5 For Emergencies, Call 911
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Lewis-McChord Communities
At your District Office The following documents are available in your District Office. This list includes but is not limited to the following: 1. Recreational Vehicle Passes 2. Installation Policy on Micro-chipping 3. Town Center Pet Info Sheet 4. Additional Trash Information 5. Extended Absence Form 6. Reasonable Accommodation Form & FAQ’s 7. Light Bulb Information Sheet 8. Satellite Dish Policy/ Fence Policy and Request Forms 9. Air Conditioning Policy 10. Hunter/Fisherman Policy 11. Paint Policy 12. Lock Change Policy 13. Automobile Towing Policy 14. Mobile Storage Units/PODS 15. Firearms and Ejecting Devices Policy 16. Community Center Guidelines 17. Allowable Pet Houses/Dog Door Installation 18. Pool/Pool Storage Policy 19. Portable Hot Tub or Jacuzzi Policy 20. Lawn and Garden Service Schedule 21. Lawn and Garden Home Delivery Programs 22. Extreme Weather Tips Information Sheet
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Lewis-McChord Communities