Resident Policy Reference Guide
Thank you for choosing a Schermerhorn community. We hope your residency will be comfortable and pleasant. We are committed to providing a professional, courteous experience in all aspects of the services we provide. While you reside with us you may find it useful to refer to the information here, as well as that in your residence handbook given to you at least signing.
Issuance of Keys
The keys to your apartment will be issued on the day you are entitled to occupancy during our normal business hours. If the day you are entitled to occupancy falls on a Saturday or Sunday, we will setup an appointment for you to pickup your keys. All deposits and rent due must be paid prior to issuance of keys. Rent will be pro-rated from the date of occupancy through the end of the month on a per Diem basis.
Moving In
We have made every effort to have your home prepared for your move in. At the time you signed your rental agreement, you were provided with a Move-In Inspection form. You should complete this document and return it to our office within seven days of receiving your keys. The Move-In Inspection form is for your protection. You should list any pre-existing conditions of wear on this form, as well as the need for repairs. We will utilize this form when we conduct the move-out inspection when you vacate the property. It is, therefore, in your best interest to carefully complete the form.
Payment of Rent
Your rent will be due on the first day of each month in our office. Rent is paid based on receipt in our office, not the postmarked date. For your convenience we offer the service of debiting your bank account with a debit card transaction on the first of the month for the rent amount and we also offer payment on line through the residential portal of our website. This service assist you with your rent being timely paid and you will not be charged a late fee due to a post-office delivery delay or a lost check. Our standard late fee is $35.00 will be assessed the day after your rent is due.
Late Fee Policy
If your rent is received one or more days late you will be charged the late fee as set forth in the rental agreement. Your rental agreement states that rent, late charges, and other legitimate charges will be posted to the resident account. Payments received are applied to the oldest outstanding charge first. If there is an outstanding charge on your account when your rent is due, payments will be applied toward the outstanding charges first and then toward the current rent charge. If the payment is not sufficient to cover past due charges as well as the current rent charge, your current rent will be short. If the rent is short you will incur a late charge. To avoid late charges be sure to pay all rent timely and any charges posted on your account by the time your current rent is due.
Returned Checks
Your rental agreement states the amount you will be charged for each returned check. Our current fee is $35.00 for each check returned. You will be charged this fee even if the check clears upon re-submission to the bank. In addition, if the returned check is for payment of rent, you will be charged a late fee through the date the check clears the bank on re-submission or until you provide certified funds to pay for the returned check. Depending upon the date the check is returned, you also may receive a three-day notice of non-compliance with your rental agreement.
Deposits
When you signed your rental agreement, you gave us a deposit to cover any potential damage to the property, cost of cleaning at the end of your residency, or unpaid rent. YOUR DEPOSIT MAY NOT BE USED AS YOUR LAST MONTH’S RENT.
Approximately two weeks prior to your scheduled move-out date, you will receive a letter from our office that outlines your responsibilities regarding the move-out. Generally, we want to receive the property clean, and in substantially the same condition as on your move in, normal wear and tear expected. We do require that all carpets be professionally steam cleaned using a receipt for the service as proof of compliance. Please contact our office if you require a reference for a qualified company to do this work.
Gas and Electric Service
For the large majority of our properties, National Grid provides gas and electric service, proof of service is required by giving us your account numer at or before the time you are given your keys.
Telephone Service
It typically takes a few days to arrange for phone service. Should you require additional telephone lines or phone jacks, it is your responsibility to pay for any changes made.
Maintenance
Maintenance and repairs are generally the items of most concern to our residents. For maintenance emergencies during 8:30 am-5 pm, please call our office at (518) 798-0674. After 5 pm all emergency maintenance calls are to be made to (518) 832-1369 after hours answering service.
Minor maintenance issues should be reported to the leasing office during normal business hours. We will attempt to complete minor repairs as quickly as possible, taking emergencies as our first priority, regardless of date or time received. All maintenance request must be in writing. Your may use fax, hand written request or web site request in the resident section of the site.
You will be billed for a service call under the following circumstances:
- You scheduled a service call appointment where you did not give permission to enter in your absence and failed to be present at the scheduled time.
- The problem was caused by improper use of the provided facilities. The classic case is the child who flushes a toy or other item and which results in a clogged sewer line.
Specific Maintenance Issues
Please pay particular attention to the following maintenance items:
- Washing machine hoses. Should a washing machine hose break on a washing machine provided by you, you will be responsible for the cost of returning the property to good condition.
- If you have an air-conditioner that is not working properly (i.e., not cooling when it is running), turn the air off. This may prevent further damage or possibility of burning out the components.