Preferred Realty Management - Elizabethtown, PA

Fall 2011

2011-09-02

Daylight Saving Time - November 6th
The first Sunday in November. When you change your clocks back one hour, remember to check your smoke detectors & change the batteries.

Rent payments are due on the 1st day of the month. Late fees will be charged after the 5th. For your convenience, we have a drop box near our main entrance in the alley. Additional payment envelopes are available at your request.

Fall & Winter Reminders:

MAINTENANCE TIPS REMINDERS
Replace or clean the filter in your furnace and air conditioner at least two times each year. Dirty filters are the most common cause of problems. Dust and dirt restricts air flow and reduces efficiency. If this is not done and the unit is not functioning properly, the cost of the service charge will be the tenant's responsibility.

Don't forget to adjust indoor vents for winter (close top register, open bottom).

We have noticed several very high water bills. Check to make sure that the toilet is not running or a faucet is dripping or leaking.

Don't let your furnace run out of oil. It is very hard on the furnace. The cost to have the furnace restarted is the tenant's responsibility.

EXTERIOR
The exterior of the property must be kept in a neat and clean condition. Tenant should keep all personal property inside, including children's toys.Trash stored outside, must be in a sealed container.

Smoking is not permitted inside the property. When smoking outside, properly dispose of cigarette butts. Do not throw butts on the ground.

Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet and turn off the shut off valve on the inside, so it doesn't freeze and break. Tenant will be charged for service call to repair.

Clean up leaves and debris from the yard before the first snow. If you are renting a single home, you are responsible for cleaning out the gutters (remove leaves & debris).

Remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours to comply with local ordinances.

When snow plows arrive; please try to move your vehicle out of the way. Do not park the front of your vehicle over sidewalks.

PEST CONTROL
In a single family house or townhouse, Tenant will be responsible for the treatment or extermination or roaches, insects, mice, etc. Tenant is responsible for keeping the property clean and free of grease, trash, debris, etc.
If you have found an insect problem,spray with a normal household product. If this has not resolved the problem, contact the rental office and we will send and exterminator.

STINK BUGS
Stink bugs are active throughout all of the United States. Generally found in the garden, stink bugs will find their way into homes and structures when fall evenings start to turn cold. They acquired their name from a natural defense they have which is to release a smell that "stinks". This smell enables them to avoid getting eaten by several species of birds
and lizards. If you have ever handled a stink bug you probably know the smell! They will release it onto most any surface they land and it will last a long time. This odor is one of the main reasons they will return year after year to any structure which
is used as a hibernating den.

Stink bugs are in the family of insects known as pentatomidae. There are hundreds of subspecies located around the world and the United States has several which are active in and around the home. Generally thought of as an agricultural
pest, stink bugs will readily take up residence around any garden or landscape rich with plants and flowers. Stink bugs have a shield shaped body which is very wide and measure about 1/2 inch long. The most common species range in color from green to brown.

Stink bugs hibernate during cold winter months and will emerge in the spring as temperatures rise. Adults mate in the spring and females will lay eggs on plants. These eggs will be laid in groups and are not plant specific. Young will go through 5 stages to reach adulthood and this will occur in about three months. During this time they will feed on
just about anything available. Plant juices like honeydew seem to be their choice of food but most will readily feed on tomatoes, beans, any type of fruit, corn, peppers or cabbage.

They are also attracted to light and will find their way into homes during the long summer nights when porch and deck lights are on and doors are being opened and closed. This summertime pattern will continue throughout the season until cooler nights and shorter days force the adults to seek harborage. Structures like homes are warm and provide adequate
shelter from rain, cold and other elements. Stink bugs will work their way under siding, into soffits, around window and door
frames, under roof shingles and into any crawl space or attic vent which has openings small enough to fit them. Once inside the home they will go into a state of suspended animation where they wait for winter to pass. However, the warmth inside the home will generally attract them and many will find their way inside. Once inside the home, you will expect to have them becoming active all through the winter.

Some suggestions: plant marigolds, lavender, and mums. Also, garlic, spearmint, thyme is good around perimeter of house or windows & doors. Other suggestions: vacuum stink bugs with a shop vac or regular vacuum with a bag, use a container with a lid filled with water & Dawn detergent, an electric fly swatter or a sticky fly catcher.

RENTERS INSURANCE
All tenants of Preferred Realty Management are required to have renters insurance and provide the rental office with proof of insurance.

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