1Air Conditioners & Windows

Window AC units left in place all winter lose heat, let in drafts, and can be damaged by ice and snow.

• October 15 All tenants whose heat is included in their rent must remove their window air conditioners and store them.
• Everyone else: October 15 is also a good time to remove your window air conditioner to prevent heat loss and keep your home more comfortable and efficient.
• Once your AC is out, close and lock all windows. Locking helps them seal properly and cuts heat loss and heating costs.
• If you have storm windows, now’s the time to put them down or close them.
• Check for drafts around windows and doors. A tube of weatherstripping or a draft snake makes a noticeable difference.
• Homeowners: if your association has its own rules about window units or storm windows, those apply.

2Snow & Parking Rules

Our plow contractors need clear lots to do their job safely and thoroughly.

• Move your car whenever snow-removal signage or notices ask you to. Plows can’t clear around parked cars, and vehicles left in the way may be towed at the owner’s expense.
• The plow typically comes when 2 inches or more of snow has accumulated. Smaller amounts are usually left to melt or handled by hand, so please don’t call to ask why the lot wasn’t plowed after a light dusting.
• Never park in fire lanes or block hydrants, especially in winter when snowbanks narrow the roadways.
• Please don’t shovel or blow snow back into driving lanes or freshly cleared walkways.

3Preventing Frozen Pipes

When temperatures fall well below freezing, a few simple steps protect your unit’s plumbing:

• Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks, especially on exterior walls, so warm air reaches the pipes.
• Let faucets drip slightly on the coldest nights. Moving water is much less likely to freeze.
• Never turn your heat off if you’re away, even briefly. Keep your thermostat at 60°F or higher.
• Disconnect garden hoses and make sure exterior faucets are shut off for the season. Renters, let us know if you’re unsure.
• Renters: if pipes freeze or you lose heat, call maintenance right away. A burst pipe causes far more damage than a frozen one.
• Homeowners: know where your main water shut-off is. If a pipe freezes or bursts, shut the water off, call a plumber, and notify management or your association. If you’re not sure who to call, contact your property manager and they can help.

4Slips, Falls & Winter Safety

Ice and snow are the leading cause of winter injuries on any property, and preventing them is a shared responsibility.

• Watch your step on stairs, walkways, and parking areas. Surfaces that look dry can hide black ice.
• Wear boots or shoes with good tread, especially during storms and the days right after.
• Use handrails whenever they’re available.
• Report icy patches, broken handrails, or spots that seem to have been missed so they can be addressed promptly.
• If your lease or condo documents assign you responsibility for a walkway, stairway, or entry (common in smaller buildings), please keep it clear and salted or sanded as needed.

5A Few More Things Worth Checking

• Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors: Test them now and renters should tell maintenance right away if one isn’t working, and homeowners should replace batteries or units promptly. CO risk rises in winter with furnaces, space heaters, and closed-up homes.
• Dryer vents: Clean the lint trap after every load, and let us know if drying times get longer. It can signal a clogged vent, which is also a fire risk.
• Space heaters (renters): Space heaters are not permitted. If you have a heating issue, call us and we’ll work on it. In the rare case management approves a space heater while a problem is being fixed, keep it at least three feet from anything flammable and never leave it running unattended or overnight.
• Space heaters (homeowners): Check your association rules first. If you use one, plug it directly into the wall, keep it three feet from anything flammable, and never leave it running unattended or overnight.
• Heating vents & baseboards: Don’t block them with furniture, curtains, or boxes.
• Emergency kit: A flashlight, batteries, and a few days of essentials are worth having in case of a winter power outage.
• Insurance: Winter raises the risk of weather-related damage. Renters should carry a renters policy, and condo owners should confirm their unit-owner policy covers frozen pipes and water damage.

Questions or Something to Report?

Renters: if you notice a draft, a leak, an icy walkway, or anything else, please don’t wait to tell us. Homeowners: please report common-area concerns such as icy walkways or parking lot issues. If you’re not sure who to call, contact your property manager and they can help. Reporting small issues early lets us fix them before they become bigger (and colder) problems.