Resident Update - November 2017

In this second addition of our Resident Updates, we discuss our new office location, maintenance and repair assistance, preparing for and help with winter, and with new ways to save money on your WE Energy bill.

If you haven't already, take a look at September's Resident Update that outlines our resident referral and reward programs, a job opportunity, tips for energy and water conservation, and a few safety tips...

WE MOVED! (don't worry, we're literally next door to our old office)

This past month we moved our office to 3331 W Lisbon Ave next door to our old office.  There is a mail slot on the front door and a doorbell, but we're now in the building on the corner, and are no longer above Amaranth Bakery.  If you are looking at our old entrance, walk towards the corner of 34th Street, past the Bakery, and then it's the first door on the left after the Bakery. We installed a temporary sign with "Strong Blocks" on the door.

Late Fees and Communication

Since taking over property management services in October, we've had a few questions from residents regarding late fees, rent due dates, and grace periods for rent.  All leases state that rent is due on the 1st of the month and include a 5-day grace period. If after the 5 days, the rent has not been received through payment in your online portal, or at our office 3331 W Lisbon Ave by dropping off in the mail slot, our Owner Committees have been assessing a late fee.  Keep in close communication with us if this was ever to occur so that the committee does not take any additional steps beyond the late fee. 

Reminder for Yard Maintenance and Snow Removal

Some of our residents have yard maintenance and snow removal responsibilities at their home.  If this applies to you, please prepare for winter by finding and/or purchasing the proper equipment and purchasing salt.  For the properties we are responsible for we are purchasing salt in bulk and can make some available for you at our cost.  Let us know.  Alternatively, if you are having trouble with yard maintenance or snow removal services and it is your responsibility, please avoid any fees or penalties that may be assessed by the City against you for neglect and have us come out to take a look and provide a proposal to provide these services directly.  Our team can then add your address to our workload and charge back the cost and you'll already know what that cost would be.  You would see any of these costs then applied to your ledger in your Online Portal.  

Routine Maintenance and Repair Team Hours

Our experienced home maintenance professionals have a busy schedule each day.  They like to arrange for repairs and routine maintenance work during normal business hours.  When work is being scheduled we will need to have it scheduled so that the entire project can be completed within our Routing Maintenance and Repairs Hours of Monday through Saturday 8AM through 5PM.

Please keep this in mind when scheduling repair work.  This does not apply to Emergency Repairs, which we like to get done as soon as possible and in many cases will need to be done outside of the normal schedule.  Emergency Repairs include items such as "no heat", major water leaks, major sewer/drain back-ups, and any other items that may be a health and safety concern to your family and and neighbors, or cause serious damage to the property.  

Saving Money on WE Energy Bills - Focus on Energy Program

We have been (slowly) building a relationship with Wisconsin's Focus on Energy programs.  These residential programs help to provide discounts, rebates, and significant energy efficiency improvements to homeowners.  We are just now starting to work with our families to get approved for these programs and if you believe your home is "less than perfect" when it comes to energy efficiency, please contact us to help us get your home approved for the special programming that is out there to help.  While we are just learning about it now, and have been told that these programs can take significant time for approval and work to be completed, it is still an option that we should explore if you have an interest in possibly saving more money on your WE Energy bills.

Strong Blocks is still Hiring Maintenance Technicians - Refer a friend TODAY

We’re Ready to Grow and you can help! Strong Blocks has created new, ground-floor opportunities for confident people with a passion for excellence in home repair and housing maintenance services. We’re looking for more hardworking people who love to help people, have a warm and friendly manner, and can fix things around a house. The role includes general handyman/woman services, plumbing maintenance, painting, landscaping and yard maintenance, snow removal, cleaning, debris removal, and providing an exceptional level of care for the residents we serve. They also have to have a way of paying attention to detail and going the extra mile even as we maximize the number of families we can help each day.

REMINDER - Tips to Save Your Life: Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Smoke detectors are devices that are mounted on the wall or ceiling and automatically sound a warning when they sense smoke or other signs of a potential fire starting. When people are warned early enough about a fire, they can escape before it spreads.   Every year thousands of people die from fires in the home. Fire kills an estimated 4,000 Americans every year. Another 30,000 people are seriously injured by fire each year.  Let's keep our families safe by monitoring that our smoke detectors are working properly.  Our maintenance team is happy to come out and change a battery or 2 or replace existing smoke detectors if there's a more serious issue.  Otherwise, do it yourself and protect yourself and family.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that is created when common fuels such as natural gas, oil, wood or coal burn incompletely. This odorless, colorless, tasteless gas is often called the “silent killer” because it is virtually undetectable without the use of detection technology like a CO alarm.  Here are a few Maintenance Tips to keep us all safe:

• Test CO alarms at least once a month by pressing the TEST button.
• CO alarm batteries should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps” or “beeps” to indicate low batteries, they should be replaced immediately.  Submit a work order for us to replace these if you are unable to do so.
• When grilling, keep safety in mind and grille away from the property and open windows.