Newsletter
March 2012 
IN THIS ISSUE
Employee In The Spotlight
On-Line Rent Pay Is Available
Maintenance Issues
Billing Questions
New American Dream is Renting to Get Rich
QUICK LINKS

EMPLOYEE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Terry Pomroy   

Our Employee In The Spotlight this month is
Terry Pomroy. Terry is a Showing Agent and spends his days showing homes to prospective tenants.  If you are a Tenant, you've probably met Terry in the field, and if you are a Client, you've received showing feedback via e-mail from Terry. Click here to see more about Terry and the rest of the GPM Team.
 
ON-LINE RENT PAY IS AVAILABLE
e deposit
Tenants who wish to pay their rent on-line may do so by logging on to the Tenant Portal.  One-time payments may be made by credit card or checking account draft (convenience fees apply).  If you set up Auto Pay with your checking account, the convenience fee is waived.  If you do not have a login for the Tenant Portal, click the SIGN UP button on the Tenant Portal and fill out the requested info.  Login information will be e-mailed to you. 
Greetings!

 

March is here.  Did it come in like a lion or a lamb?  How will it end up?  We can't tell.  Everywhere you look around the country, the weather is not what we expect it to be.

At Garner Properties & Management, we strive to be more reliable than the March weather.  To that end, this month we are providing tips for when you call in with maintenance and billing issues that will help us to help you.

We hope you are enjoying the weird and wonderful weather, and that, no matter what the weather, March will go out like a lamb.

Lion and the lamb

Maintenance Issues 

 

Everyone has them once in a while.  You're renting a house or apartment and something goes wrong.  What do you do?  Call our office and report a maintenance issue.  In most cases, work orders are addressed within 24 hours.

  • What do I do?
    • Call our office 734-287-6619, option 2.
  • When can I call?
    • You may report maintenance issues 24/7.  If you would like to speak with someone about your issue, call between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
  • When should I report an issue?
    • As soon as it happens, or as soon as you notice it.  The sooner you report an issue and we address it, the less likely the issue will become more severe.
  • What should I say when I report a maintenance issue?
    • Report all maintenance issues at once.
    • Give exact location of the issue.  For example: if you call about a leaky faucet, let us know which faucet is leaking and where it is located in the house.
    • Be specific.  Is the faucet dripping or running?  Is the window cracked or broken out?
    • Give us a working phone number so we may call you back to schedule the visit.
    • Let us know the best time to reach you and to send someone to your home.
  • What if I can't be home when the maintenace worker comes to my house because I work?
    • The maintenance team generally handles calls during regular business hours.  If you are not going to be home for your maintenance appointment, you may elect to ask an adult to be at your home to let the maintenance worker in, or you may elect to allow the maintenance worker to enter the home to complete the work.
  • What if I can't keep my maintenance appointment?
    • It is very important to keep your maintenance appointment so that we can correct the problem before it becomes more severe.
    • If the maintenance worker comes to your house and you are not home or do not answer the door, you will be charged a $45 no-show fee.
    • If you are absolutely unable to keep your appointment, please call our office to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance of the appointment to avoid the no-show fee. 
  • What if the issue is not fixed within 24 hours?
    • Work orders are usually addressed within 24 hours.  It may take a little longer to complete the work, depending on the problem.  For example: if we have to order parts, or if we have to obtain permission from the property owner to do the work, it may take a little longer to complete the job.  The maintenance team will update you on their progress, but if you have any questions, please call the office.
Billing Questions   

 

Below are some frequently asked questions about your account and billing.  Maybe you've asked them, or maybe you are thinking about asking them: 

  • Why can't I pay my own water bill?
    • Garner Properties & Management maintains the water bills for all tenants.  We pay the bills and then charge the tenant so that there is no lapse in service.
  • When is my water bill due?
    • Water charges are billed on a net 30 basis.  Payment is due within 30 days of the date the bill was posted to your account.
  • What if there is no water bill on my account?  Does that mean I won't have to pay my bill for month?  Will I be charged late fees?
    • We post bills as they are received.  Bills may be posted late due to a billing issue with the the water department.  If you are expecting a bill and don't see it, please call the office and bring it to our attention.  You are never relieved of your responsibility to pay a utility bill.
    • You will not be charged a late fee, as long as you pay any posted untility bills within 30 days.
  • My bill is huge!!  I didn't use this much water!
    • Contact the water department to have the water meter checked.
    • Check for leaks.
    • Refer to the February newsletter for more tips on water conservation around the home.
    • Check your account.  If you haven't been receiving regular bills, the water company may include several month's worth of charges in one bill.
  • There is a note on my water statement that says to call the water department for an actual meter read.
    • If we see that your bills are high and the water department is basing your bill on an estimated charges, or if your usage data does not match the charges, we will request that you contact the water department for an actual meter read. The goal is to have an accurate reading so that your bill is accurate.
New American Dream is Renting to Get Rich  

 

We found an article that suggests that buying a home (the old American Dream) is not the sure fire money-making investment it used to be.

 

Renting is the New American Dream.

 

Congratulations to you!  You are living the dream and building up your wealth, or investing it wisely in other things that bring a greater return.

 

We happy to be able to do business with you.

As always, we appreciate your partnership.

Sincerely,

Chris Garner
Garner Properties & Management
  
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