Safety

• Keep smoke detectors in their place. Do not remove smoke/CO2 detectors from their designated mounts. These are in place to protect you in case of a fire or carbon monoxide leak. 
• Keep doors locked when you’re home, or when you leave. Protect the safety of yourself and your personal belongings.
• Ensure your renters insurance policy is up to date with the proper coverage in case your personal belongings are damaged in an emergency, such as a fire or flood. The Omnibus Group requires you to hold an active policy during your entire tenancy. 

Care

• Do not paint, make renovations, change fixtures, etc. without consulting The Omnibus Group. Sometimes rooms can be painted a different color, or we can replace old fixtures. This is dependent upon the situation, and you are required to communicate your thoughts with us regarding improvements. 
• Keep your carpets clean by removing shoes before entering any carpeted areas of the home. Though not required, this will help your carpet look cleaner, longer. Any large stains, rips, or tears may cause you to be charged for replacement. 
• Avoid using nails, push pins, or screws in the walls if you can. Command Strips make a great alternative for hanging up anything from posters to large mirrors and beyond. 
• Keep boxes, furniture, and personal belongings out of the way of fireplaces and furnaces. If you have a fireplace or furnace/HVAC unit in your home, you must keep the space around clear. This can help prevent property damage and ensure your safety. 
• When the temperatures drop below freezing, make sure you keep the heat to at least 65 degrees. This can help prevent pipes from freezing. 

Care

• Ensure your garbage disposal stays operational by keeping food scraps and trash from entering the disposal. Food scraps, bones, and thick substances like peanut butter can clog garbage disposals and cause them to quit. If maintenance technicians find excessive food scraps or items that should not be in your disposal, you may be charged for the repair.
• Dishwashers are a great convenience for getting your dishes clean, but sometimes they can be temperamental. 
  • If your dishwasher is holding excess water or not draining at all, check to see if the drain is clear. You can often find the drain in the bottom of the dishwasher towards the back. 
  • Only use dishwasher liquids or tablets with this appliance. Using substances like hand or dish soap may damage the dishwasher, and you could be charged for the repair or replacement.
• In the event of a power outage, protect your food items by keeping the fridge and freezer closed. The appliance will hold cold air much longer than if the doors are opened and closed repeatedly. The Omnibus Group is not liable for spoiled food items due to power outages or appliance failure.   
• If your garbage disposal is non-operational, try this tip. Underneath the disposal, find the reset button. Try holding this button down for about five seconds, and try to turn it on again. If it is still non-operational, submit a maintenance request through your tenant portal. 
• When the weather drops below freezing, leave your cabinet doors below the sink open to allow warm, room temperature air to circulate around the pipes. You can also leave the faucets on a slow trickle to prevent freezing. The Omnibus Group will often email tenants to warn them of an upcoming cold spell. 

Care: 

• Ensure your plumbing stays in good shape by preventing clogs and blockages with the following tips:
  • Only flush bathroom tissue and human waste down the toilets. Wipes, even if they are “flushable” should be thrown away, not flushed. Feminine hygiene products, male contraceptive products, paper towels, gum, etc. should also not be flushed. 
  • Prevent sink and shower clogs by placing a hair catcher over the drains. This will prevent excessive amounts of long hair from making its way into the drain. Try a set of pliers to clean our long hair buildup from inside the drain. 
• After a shower or bath, leave the door open and turn on the bathroom fan/open a window if available. This will allow the steam to escape and help prevent mold growth. 
• When the weather drops below freezing, leave your cabinet doors below the sink open to allow warm, room temperature air to circulate around the pipes. You can also leave the faucets on a slow trickle to prevent freezing. The Omnibus Group will often email tenants to warn them of an upcoming cold spell. 

Care

• When doing laundry, make sure to not overload the washer. Too large of a load and the washer can go off balance and cause damage to the appliance. When putting a load in the washer, ensure you are not overloading, and that the clothes are even and balanced.
• Only use washer-safe detergent in the appliance. Do not use hand or dish soap as it can damage the unit.
• Make sure to empty your lint trap every time you complete a load of laundry. A clogged lint trap can cause excess heat build-up and may lead to a fire.