EMPLOYEE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

We occasionally receive calls from Tenants requesting an exterminator.  Per the lease, if you have "occupied the property for six months or longer, Tenant, and Tenant alone, is responsible for any extermination fees that result due to the development of rats, cockroaches, mice, fleas, or any other insect, rodent, or animal that requires extermination."  That includes bed bugs.

Here are some hints for bed bug prevention as described by the EPA:

• Check secondhand furniture, beds, and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.
   
• Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs and eliminates many hiding spots. The light color of the encasement makes bed bugs easier to see. Be sure to purchase a high quality encasement that will resist tearing and check the encasements regularly for holes.
   
• Reduce clutter in your home to reduce hiding places for bed bugs.
   
• When traveling:
• In hotel rooms, use luggage racks to hold your luggage when packing or unpacking rather than setting your luggage on the bed or floor.
• Check the mattress and headboard before sleeping.
• Upon returning home, unpack directly into a washing machine and inspect your luggage carefully.

On the seventh day of each month, we send out notification to all Tenants who have a balance on their account which is greater than $200.  Account balances include all account charges such as rent, utilities, late fees, court fees, etc.

If you receive this notification, what should you do?

• Pay it off - If you are able to pay off the past due balance, why not make it go away?  You can pay it in person, by mail, on-line through the Tenant Portal (see the sidebar), or by phone.
• Request approval of a payment plan - You may make arrangements to submit a payment plan.  The payment plan will be reviewed by management and MUST BE APPROVED. If you default on your approved payment plan, we will proceed with the eviction case against you.
• Ignore it - Requests for payment should never be ignored.  It won't resolve itself or go away.  In fact, your situation will only get worse if you ignore it.  Productive communication with your creditor is imperative to avoid unwanted consequences, such as eviction.
• Move out - If you decide to move out, you are bound by the terms of your lease.  Please read it carefully before following through with this decision.  In addition, we will pursue legal action for payment of the account balance.

Garner Properties sends out notification when the water bill is due.  You have 30 days from the date the bill is posted to your account to pay without penalty.

For your convenience, water bills can be paid on-line through the Tenant Portal.  See the sidebar for more information about using the Tenant Portal.