GARBAGE DISPOSALS
This information applies to you if your apartment is equipped with an in-sink garbage disposal. Please read through these guidelines to become familiar with proper use of your in-sink garbage disposal unit.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL USE:
To properly use your garbage disposal, first turn on the water, then turn on the disposal. Gradually place soft food items into the disposal. After it sounds like everything is ground, turn off the disposal. Let the water run for several seconds after the disposal is turned off.
Do Not:
Do not place large amounts of sticky or heavy food (such as rice or pasta) in the disposal (could cause unit to clog).
Do not place a large amount of food in the disposal and then turn it on.
Do not place hard objects (such as bones, eggshells, nutshells, bottle caps, etc.) in the disposal.
Do not place grease down the disposal.
If the garbage disposal will not turn on and is not making a humming sound, it may need to be reset. Press the ‘reset’ button found on the bottom of the unit under the sink. If it has reset, the button will be popped out. If that does not work, check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped and turned off in the electrical service panel.
If you place a maintenance request for your garbage disposal you will be charged a fee if we only have to press the reset button, if we only have to flip the circuit breaker on, or if there is a clog or inappropriate item in the unit due to misuse.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Leasing Office: (217) 778-4041
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
24 Hour Emergency Maintenance: (217) 778-6033
UTILITIES
Ameren IP (electric/gas) 1-800-755-5000 / Fax 1-800-851-1796
AT&T 1-800-244-4444/Fax 1-800-451-2761
Xfinity/Comcast (cable television) 1-866-594-1234
Pavlov (Internet) 1-888-4PAVLOV
Illinois American Water 1-800-422-2782
PARKING
City of Champaign Parking Permits (217) 403-7050
City of Urbana Parking Permits (217) 384-2346
UIUC Parking Permits (217) 333-3530
Feldkamp’s Towing (217) 367-7888
UIUC Parking Dispatch (217) 244-5487
OTHER
City of Champaign Police Non-Emergency (217) 351-4545
City of Champaign Fire Non-Emergency (217) 403-7200
City of Urbana Police Non-Emergency (217) 384-2320
City of Urbana Fire Non-Emergency (217) 384-2420
MAILBOXES / PACKAGE DELIVERY
Please place your name on your mailbox in order to receive your mail. If your property contains mailbox directories and they need changed or updated.
Please check your mail on a regular basis as accumulated mail can make the mailbox difficult to open and close. If you will be unable to check your mail for more than a few days, please contact the post office to have your mail held.
All package deliveries must be sent directly to your apartment address. For secure entry buildings, do not prop the front doors open. UPS and FedEx have access to entry door keys in order to deliver packages to residents. Mail carriers will attempt delivery to your apartment door.
MAINTENANCE FEES
* Please note that the following problems will be dealt with by our maintenance staff and will incur additional charges. All charges are subject to change without notice. *
After Hours Calls
Residents requesting after-hours emergency assistance for unnecessary or preventable maintenance will be charged a minimum $100.00 fee. If needed, residents will be charged for materials and overtime labor in addition to the $100.00 minimum fee.
Bathtub/Shower
Residents are responsible for purchasing and installing their own shower curtain. If the bathroom floor, baseboards, wall or adjoining apartments are damaged due to residents allowing water to run onto the floor and walls the resident will be responsible for the cost of all damages.
Circuit Breakers
As soon as you move into your apartment, you must switch your circuit breakers to the ‘ON’ position. If you call maintenance to have your circuit breakers turned on you will be charged a minimum of $50.00.
Electricity
If electricity is not included in the Utility and Service Fee in your lease, you must contact Ameren to arrange for electricity to be turned on in your name prior to the start of your lease. If you call maintenance for lack of power due to non-payment you will be charged a minimum of $50.00
Damages and Repairs / Other Maintenance
Damages and repairs caused by residents or resident’s guests include but are not limited to holes in walls or doors, broken mirrors, windows, screens, furniture and appliances. Charges for repairs are a minimum of $50.00 for the service call during weekday business hours plus cost of material and labor. Unnecessary or preventable maintenance requested during regular business hours in an apartment will also result in a minimum $50.00 fee.
Fire Extinguisher
Replacement cost of discharged fire extinguishers by residents or resident’s guests will be charged to the resident’s account.
Furniture Storage
Residents may bring additional furniture into their apartments. we cannot remove any of its furnishings from a unit, nor can we supply additional furniture. Please do not store any furniture on balconies or patios. Residents will be charged to replace furniture that had been damaged from exposure to weather.
Garbage Disposals (for apartments equipped with garbage disposals)
Garbage disposals are for soft food items only – discarding bones, bottles caps, rocks and/or other items not intended for the drain will cause the garbage disposal to malfunction.
Should the garbage disposal fail to work, turn off the disposal, clear the drain of any foreign objects, press the reset button located directly on the garbage disposal and switch on the garbage disposal unit again. Please complete an online maintenance request if the garbage disposal continues to malfunction. Residents will be charged a $50.00 minimum fee for maintenance to reset the garbage disposal or remove foreign objects from the garbage disposal. If extensive work is needed, residents will be charged for materials and labor in addition to the $50.00 original fee.
Garbage Pickup
Garbage must be disposed of by transferring trash directly from your unit to the garbage dumpsters or your building’s trash chute. In order to keep the common areas in good condition, do not leave any trash outside your front door even for a short period of time. Any residents who leave trash outside will be charged a $50.00 service fee and an additional $10.00 for each bag of garbage removed.
Any personal property left outside an apartment will be disposed of immediately.
Kitchen Sink
If your kitchen sink drain is equipped with or you purchase a grated sink plug, make sure you have it removed or in the open position when you are finished washing dishes or leave the premises. If it is in the closed position allowing water to fill in the sink and the water overflows causing flooding and damage to your apartment or the apartment below, you will be held responsible for clean-up and repairs to your unit and any other units affected by this.
Lock Changes
Lost keys require lock changes: front door = $75.00, mailbox = $30.00. Please note $100.00 will be the minimum charge for any service that is done after hours.
Lock-outs
Evening and weekend “lockouts” require assistance. Residents who are locked out of their apartments, or a bedroom or bathroom within the apartment, must contact Emergency Maintenance and provide proof of occupancy to be admitted back into their apartment.
Please be aware that once a employee is on his/her way to assist you, you will be charged a minimum $100.00 fee. Fees can be higher depending on the amount of time and materials required.
When a maintenance staff member or leasing agent enters your apartment, they are required to lock and secure the apartment when they exit for safety reasons, regardless if the apartment was locked when entering. Please be sure to always have your apartment door keys with you. Should you lock yourself out for any reason you will be charged a minimum $50 lock out charge during office hours or minimum $100 after hours.
Pets
Pets are not allowed in the apartments, common areas or parking lots of any property. Residents or guests that are bringing animals into the apartment or common areas are charged a fine of $100 per day for each day the animal is in the apartment.
Refrigerator Damages
Do not store any unsealed food in the freezer. Loose food and debris will clog the defrost drain and freeze up the fan, causing the unit to not cool properly. Repairing the damage can become a costly expense. The cost for materials and labor will be charged to the resident.
Toilet Stoppages
Clogged toilets are caused by residents or their guests. Residents must plunge his/her own toilet. Plungers can be obtained at most drug stores, hardware stores and grocery stores. Continuously pump the plunger to create opposing suction and force to clear the obstruction.
If you find your toilet overflowing, shut off the water by turning the water dial to the off position. The dial is located on water pipes behind the toilet bowl. After plunging and clearing the blockage, turn the water back on before flushing the toilet.
A $50.00 fee will be charged for the maintenance staff to plunge the toilet. If extensive work is needed, cost for any materials and labor will be charged in addition to the original $50.00.
DO NOT place foreign objects (i.e. – sanitary napkins, paper towels, Q-tips of any kind, toilet paper rolls, etc.) down the toilet or drains other than what is intended for their use. Repairing the damage can become a costly expense charged to the resident.
Washer / Dryer Damages
No liquids of any kind should be placed on top of the dryer. They could leak or spill and cause damage to the unit.
To ensure proper laundry cleaning, do not overload the washer. No large or heavy items, such as rugs or comforters, should be laundered in the washer/dryer unit. Large items could cause the washer to malfunction.
Please make sure there are no foreign objects in clothing that are put into the washer/dryer unit. Small objects (coins, bobby pins, etc.) can cause damage to the unit.
Any repairs required because of failure to adhere to the above listed instructions will be charged at a minimum of $50.00 and will be billed to the residents.
RENTER’S INSURANCE
WHAT IS RENTER’S INSURANCE?
Renter’s Insurance is insurance to protect against the loss of your items in the apartment. Residents’ belongings are not covered by insurance, it is not responsible for loss to personal property as a result of fire, theft, or any other cause. We strongly suggest all residents get Renters’ Insurance to protect their personal property.
How can I get renter’s insurance?
Many students are eligible for coverage under their parent’s homeowner’s policy. This is not automatic. Residents usually must contact their parents, along with the insurance carrier, to arrange for coverage.
If you own an automobile, call the company that carries your auto insurance. Often, companies give a reduced rate to policyholders that have both homeowner’s/renter’s insurance and auto insurance through the same company.
Compare policies based on the following:
Annual premium – the amount you will have to pay each year for coverage.
Deductible – the amount you will have to pay before the company will cover your damages.
Extent of coverage – the maximum amount for which you can make a claim.
Replacement cost – the insurance company will pay to replace the lost property, rather than merely reimbursing you the depreciated value.
Alternative housing costs for hotel bills if a fire forces you out of your home. This coverage should be for as long as possible.
Exemptions – Insurance shoppers should expect some exemptions and make sure that they have coverage for everything they need. Be sure property such as a home computer, jewelry, antiques, photography equipment, etc. is covered by your policy.
UTILITIES
ELECTRICITY & GAS
All apartments except for units in buildings. Gregory are required to maintain the power for the apartment in one of the resident’s names for the entire term of the agreement. To set up your power, please contact Ameren IP (below).
Ameren IP
(800) 755-5000
LANDLINE TELEPHONE SERVICE
AT&T
(800) 244-4444
(800) 451-2761
WATER
Illinois American Water Company
201 Devonshire Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(800) 422-2782
CABLE TV
Comcast
303 E. Fairlawn Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
(800) 266-2278
INTERNET PROVIDER
Pavlov Media
P.O. Box 25
Champaign, IL 61824
(888) 472-8568
VEHICLE TOWING
Feldkamp’s Towing
905 Ward St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 367-7888
CITY PARKING PERMITS
City of Champaign Parking
702 Edgebrook Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 403-7050
City of Urbana Parking
Finance Department
400 S. Vine Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-2345
Request Maintenance
Please use our online request form for all general requests.
EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE: (217) 778-6033
Call us immediately if:
Water is leaking on to your floor from broken pipes or blocked drains.
Water is entering through the roof or windows.
Anything that will cause damage to the property if not immediately attended to.