Not every landlord or management company requires an apartment walkthrough when you move in to a new apartment unit, but it’s generally in your best interest to do so. Request one before you move in, if it’s not initiated for you, and check to see that all is well in your new home.

If the owner is unavailable, ask for the representative managing the property in the owner’s absence.

Safety: 
Make sure that working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in place. (Carbon monoxide detectors are less commonly found, but are a good precaution.) Also check the building’s hallways and other common areas for fire safety features.   If your apartment has bars on the windows, are they approved safety gates that don’t require a key? Also make sure that each sleeping area has an operable window large enough to escape through. Find out what the fire escape plan is for the building and make sure you know where to go.

Doors and windows:  Check to see that all locks and door knobs are secure and not wobbly and that you will be supplied with keys for each lock.  Try all windows and doors to make sure they open and close properly.  Are window coverings intact?  Note any missing screens.  This is also a good opportunity to check for drafts.

Plumbing:  Look around the toilets, and under and around every sink to make sure that nothing is damp or dripping.  Make sure that faucets shut off properly and that all sink stops work.  Check the tub and sinks for missing grout or tiles.  Turn the shower on to test for water pressure and hot water temperature. It’s important to find out if you share a hot water heater or if your unit has its own.  (This could affect the kind of shower you’ll have in the mornings!)

Appliances:  Test each appliance to make sure it works properly. On the stove, test each burner and the oven/broiler.  Check the refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, air conditioning/heating system, washer and dryer.  If the laundry facilities are in a common area, be sure it is clean, bright, well maintained and accessible to residents only.

Electrical:  It’s a good idea to bring a small appliance with you like a radio or clock to test outlets.  (Absolute Island Management has an outlet tester.  Ask your leasing agent to test them for you.)  Turn all the wall switches off and on to make sure they work properly.

General condition:  Check the ceilings to make sure there isn’t any water damage, and check the walls for peeling paint or wallpaper.  Check closets, under sinks and elsewhere for signs of rodents or insects, such as droppings and chew marks.

Your walkthrough is the time to document any concern or problem that exists in the unit.  Because this process will likely be repeated with your landlord when you move out, it is typically in your best interest to document or photograph the condition of the unit now to be able to make a comparison later. Documenting a particular existing problem may aid you in recovering your security deposit, in the event you move out of the unit.

Welcome Home!

Saving Money on Utilities

It can be tough finding a new place to live. After looking at dozens of apartments online and in person, they can all start to run together.

Use this apartment search checklist to keep you organized and minimize stress during one of life’s most important processes — finding a new place.

Figure out what you want in a new apartment. List your apartment priorities including apartment size, features, and amenities.

Determine how much you can afford to spend on rent.

Choose the area of town in which you would like to live.

Create an apartment search folder where you can keep your budget, list of priorities and details or printouts of apartments you like.

Search apartments online at Apartment Guide. Check the availability of apartment communities in your budget and search area.

Talk to property managers about what is available and what their communities have to offer.

Narrow your field of possible apartment communities to a few contenders and arrange to visit these properties if you can. (For details on conducting long-distance searches, read How to Find an Apartment in Another State.)

Gather the application materials you will need to apply for an apartment. These may include:
- Your checkbook
- Social Security Number/Card
- Rental History information (list of locations and dates)
- Personal and professional references
- Pay stubs or bank statements to verify income

Visit apartment communities to get a feel for which one you might want to live in. Items to take with you may include:
- Your list of apartment priorities
- Information on the property you are visiting
- A list of questions to ask the property manager
- Pen and paper to take notes
- A digital camera to take pictures
- A friend for a second opinion

Compare apartments weighing the pros and cons of each.

Choose the best apartment and submit an apartment application.

When your application is accepted, read your lease carefully before signing it, making sure you understand all the regulations, deposits and fees.

Once you lease is signed, you can set your move-in date.

Best of luck on your upcoming move!

Where Can I Afford To Live?

The best way to tackle a move is to think like a project manager: set a timeline, make a to-do list, and assign due dates for each task. While this kind of super-organized approach might be the most effective, it’s easier said than done — especially when you’re stressed out. And that’s why we’ve created this handy moving checklist to help you prepare for moving day.

This moving checklist breaks down all of your to-do items by subject. Use it to create your plan of attack, and you’ll be sure that nothing falls through the cracks — no matter how busy you get.

Moving logistics
Whether you hire professional movers or rent a truck and do everything yourself, one of the first things to cross off of your moving checklist is the logistics of your move.

• If you hire movers: Compare moving companies, get several quotes, and then confirm a moving date.
• If you move yourself: Make a rental truck reservation, and don’t forget to reserve dollies or furniture moving equipment, as well. While you’re at it, plan the driving route to your new apartment.
• If you need to rent a storage unit, you’ll have to locate a unit and get a contract for this service.

Notifications
Once you’ve got a confirmed moving date, it’s time to tell everyone that your address is changing. You can complete an official change of address online with USPS.com, but there may be certain utility and service providers you need to contact in writing or on the phone:

• Insurance companies
• Child’s school
• Utilities:  phone, cable, Internet, gas, electric, water, trash
• Medical providers, to transfer prescriptions and records
• Bank and credit card companies
• Magazine subscriptions
• Apartment property management (check out our sample move-out letter if you need help giving notice)

As you make notifications, don’t forget to cancel any services or memberships you won’t need any more (gym memberships, lawn services, newspaper delivery, etc).

Switch utilities
If you need to switch utility providers, schedule a time to research and contact new providers about two to three weeks before you move. It’s best to have new utilities turned on a few days before you move into your new apartment so everything’s ready for your arrival.

Depending on how these services are handled at your new apartment community, you may need to set up service for utilities like these:

• Electric
• Water
• Gas
• Trash
• Phone
• Cable
• Internet

I.D. and tags
If you’re moving out of state, find out how long you’ll have to get a new driver’s license and vehicle tags, once you move to your new apartment.

Declutter
Every single item you pack represents a dollar sign, so you’ll need to schedule some time to declutter your apartment before you start packing. You don’t need to waste time and money packing up items that you’ll never use again, so trash or donate anything that’s old, broken, or unnecessary to move along with you.

Packing
Nobody likes packing, but it’s a necessary evil. Set yourself up for success by getting all of the packing supplies you need — boxes, permanent markers, labels, bubble wrap, and tape — before you start the job.

Start packing lesser-used items and rooms first, and leave the major living areas for last. You may want to take inventory of the items you pack — especially if you hire professional movers.

Prepare pets
Moving with pets means you need to make special arrangements — especially if you have to fly with Fido or Kitty. Do your research to determine what paperwork, medications, and vaccinations your pets will need in order to make a safe trip to their new home. Make sure pets have secure nametags and store their immunization records in a handy, accessible spot.

Cleaning
Make sure you get as much of your security deposit back as possible by scheduling time to clean up before your final apartment walkthrough. If the thought of doing the dirty work is really unappealing to you, you might hire a cleaning service to do a thorough move-out cleaning for you.

Stay on track
As you can see, there’s a lot to keep track of during a move. That’s why Apartment Guide recommends creating a calendar and a moving file to stay on top of all the items on your moving checklist.

Please remember that your application all applications that pass credit and criminal background are only conditionally approved until income is verified.  Please submit income verification in one of the following ways:

• 2 recent consecutive paystubs
• An employment letter on letter head regarding position and salary written along with the date and signature by supervisor
• Copy of last year’s tax return if job source has remained the same.

In order to move in, the deposit and first month’s rent will need to be in certified funds in SEPARATE CHECKS. Either of the following is acceptable:

• Cashiers check
• Money order

You will want to make sure that the power is on in your name for the day of move.  Palmetto Electric Cooperative will be glad to assist.  You may reach them at 843.681.5551.  Other required utilities will need to have service established prior to the move.  Please contact your leasing agent for a list as it depends on the leased property.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions:

• In the office: 888.344.4246
• Via Email: info@absoluteisland.com
• Via Fax: 888.886.6595

We look forward to working with you and providing you with quality rental solutions for years to come.

6.  We are open 24 hours a day for emergencies at absoluteisland.com

5.  We are very responsive and typically fix service requests in under 24-48 hours.  Service requests may be emailed or placed online.

4.  We offer online payments that you can set up recurring

3.  We have some of the most aggressively priced villas for the size

2.  We have properties all over the Island and Bluffton and we will grow with you to help find the perfect home year after year.

1.  We Care.  We are responsive and we will always work hard to make sure you are happy in your home.

]]> http://absoluteisland.com/2011/11/19/top-7-reasons-to-rent-from-aim/feed/ 0 http://absoluteisland.com/2011/11/19/things-to-know-about-your-garbage-disposal/ http://absoluteisland.com/2011/11/19/things-to-know-about-your-garbage-disposal/#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:20:49 +0000 admin http://absoluteisland.com/?p=552 Garbage Disposal Do’s and Don’ts

Proper maintenance and operation will extend the life of your garbage disposal and prevent plumbing and drain mishaps.

Good Practices Today Can Prevent Major Plumbing and Drain Problems Tomorrow!

If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you know that it’s a great appliance that makes household duties less demanding. But if not operated or maintained properly, a garbage disposal can easily break down, block and clog the drains and cause a long list of expensive plumbing and drain nightmares.  Please note that damage caused from not following this guideline will be billed back to the resident.

Garbage Disposal Do’s:

• Do keep your garbage disposal clean. Pour a little dish soap inside and let the garbage disposal run for a minute or so with some cold water after washing dishes.
• Do run your garbage disposal regularly. Frequent use prevents rust and corrosion, assures that all parts stay moving and prevents obstructions from accumulating.
• Do grind food waste w/ a strong flow of cold water. Why cold water? It will cause any grease or oils that may get into the unit to solidify, so that they can be chopped up before reaching the trap.
• Do grind certain hard materials such as small chicken and fish bones, egg shells, small fruit pits, etc. A scouring action is created by these particles inside the grind chamber that cleans the garbage disposal’s walls.
• Do grind peelings from citrus fruits such as lemons or oranges to freshen up drain smells.
• Do cut large items into smaller pieces. Put them into the garbage disposal one at a time instead of trying to shove a large amount in at once.

Garbage Disposal Don’ts:

The most important rule of thumb: Don’t Put Anything In The Garbage Disposal That Is Not Biodegradable Food.  A garbage disposal is not a trash can; it’s for food scraps only.  Non food items can damage both blades and the motor. When in doubt, throw it out!

• Don’t grind glass, plastic, metal or even paper.
• Don’t grind anything combustible.
• Don’t grind cigarette butts
• Don’t pour grease, oil or fat into your garbage disposal or drain. Grease will slowly accumulate and impede your garbage disposal’s grinding ability as well as clog drains.
• Don’t use hot water when grinding food waste. Hot water will cause grease to liquefy and accumulate, causing drains to clog.
• Don’t grind extremely fibrous material like corn husks, celery stalks, onion skins, and artichokes.  Fibers from these can tangle and jam the garbage disposal motor and block drains .
• Don’t turn off the motor or water until grinding is completed. When grinding is complete, turn off the the garbage disposal first. Let water continue to run for at least 15 seconds, flushing out any remaining particles. Then turn off water.
• Don’t put too many potato peels down the garbage disposal. The starches in the potatoes will turn into a thick paste and may cause blades to stick.
• Don’t put large amounts of food down the garbage disposal. Feed food into the garbage disposal a little at a time with the cold water running; this will help the food scraps flow down freely through the drain pipes and plumbing.
• Don’t put expandable foods into your garbage disposal. Foods like pasta and rice expand when you add water in a pot; they do the same thing once inside your pipes or garbage disposal and are the cause of many jams and clogs.
• Don’t grind large animal bones (beef, pork etc.).
• Avoid putting coffee grounds down the garbage disposal. They won’t harm the garbage disposal and they’ll actually help eliminate odors. However, they can accumulate in drains and pipes, causing clogs. Best to avoid.
• Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners. They can damage blades and pipes. Borax is a natural sink cleaner and sanitizer that effectively works on odor-causing mold and mildew that accumulates in garbage disposals. (See more below).

Keeping Your Garbage Disposal Running Problem-Free

Ice is an extremely effective and inexpensive method for cleaning your garbage disposal, sharpening the blades and breaking up any grease build-up which has accumulated. Just toss a few ice cubes into the garbage disposal and run it. As the garbage disposal chops into the ice cubes, the ice chips will effectively scour all the hard to reach areas of the unit, and melt down the drain. Try this once or twice a month to keep your garbage disposal in fine working order.

To Remove or Prevent Nasty Garbage Disposal Smells

Here are some  natural methods to clean your garbage disposal that are good for the environment and very inexpensive.

• Periodically, take a lemon or orange and toss it into the disposal. The oils and juice from the fruits and peels naturally clean the walls inside the garbage disposal and create a fresh, long-lasting scent.
• Freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and run those down the disposal. This will keep your blades sharp while safely killing odor-causing bacteria.
• For stubborn odors pour baking soda into the drain and let it set for several hours before running the water and garbage disposal.

• For really stubborn odors, use a safe cleaning product like Borax. Just pour 3-4 tablespoons of Borax down the drain and let it sit for an hour. Then turn on the hot water and flush the borax away.

Tips for Removing Fallen Objects

NEVER, EVER insert your unprotected hand into the garbage disposal.  If you must use your hand to remove objects and debris from the garbage disposal, unplug the unit or turn off the appropriate circuit breaker. Always wear safety gloves to protect your hand from the garbage disposal’s sharp blades.

There are safer steps in retrieving the fallen objects. First, grab a flashlight and try to find the exact location of the object. Use a pair of extra-long needle nose pliers or an automotive finger gripper (available at most hardware stores) to extract the object from the garbage disposal. In some case, you may be able to use a bent coat-hanger to reach down into the garbage disposal and dislodge and hook the object. Even a pair of chopsticks or crochet needles can work to grab the object.

What To Do if Your Garbage Disposal is Not Grinding:

• 90% of garbage disposals that appear not to be working just need to be reset. There is usually a red or black reset button on the garbage disposal motor underneath your sink. Just push to reset.
  If the garbage disposal is plugged into a wall outlet, ensure the outlet has power.
• Check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
• Give it a push-start. Most garbage disposals have a hole underneath that allows you to hand-crank it free once it’s been jammed. To crank it, use either an Alan wrench or a garbage disposal tool that you can pick up at most hardware stores. This should free up most non-serious jams.

Call a Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Professional When All Else Fails

These are general maintenance tips and simple remedies for minor problems. If you try these solutions and they don’t work or if your problem seems to be getting worse, contact Horizon Services immediately. We have the tools and know-how to address almost every garbage disposal emergency.

Source: Horizons Services: http://www.horizonservicesinc.com/

Once you are a resident just send an email to payonline@absoluteisland.com and we will send you a link to access your online portal.  Check account balances, make payments set reminders and more.

Its one more way we appreciate our residents.

Not a resident, join us at www.absoluteisland.com/tenant-application or by email at info@absoluteisland.com

Absolute Island Management

We Keep In Touch

In order to lease one of our properties the applicant will need to apply by completing an application and submitting a $30 application fee per person applying.  We require anyone over the age of 18 who will be residing in the residence for more than 14 days to complete an application for occupancy.  In addition the following items are required in order to lease one of our properties:

• Ability to pass a credit check and criminal background check
• Income verification, minimum requirement is 2.5 times rent
• Pay a deposit, which is based on credit screening as well as other factors including income to debt ratio.
• Sign our lease agreement which comes from the National Apartment Association
• Perform a move in inspection with one of our agents
• Turn any applicable utilities into your name prior to the move