LAUNDRY USER GUIDE AND SHARED LAUNDRY ETIQUETTE
Laundry User Guide & Shared Etiquette Having laundry facilities on-site is an amenity high on many residents’ wish lists. Nearly every Lobos Management property includes this convenience, and this guide will serve as your one-stop shop for all things laundry-related. Tips to Keep Washers & Dryers Working at Their Best Following these simple guidelines helps prevent breakdowns, keeps machines clean, and ensures all residents can use them efficiently. Before using the washer or dryer, make sure it is empty. Check for objects left behind, like coins or socks. Make sure the lint trap of the dryer is emptied. Sort your laundry. Separate by whites, darks, and colors. Wash heavy items such as towels, jeans, or small blankets separately when possible. Check your pockets before adding your clothes to the washing machine. Avoid overloading the machines. The drum of the washing machine should be ¾ full. Be sure to use high-efficiency detergent with laundry machines that require this. Arrange laundry evenly so that the drum of the washing machine will be balanced. Shared Laundry Etiquette Remove clothes promptly from the washer and dryer. Setting a timer can help with this! Do not wash heavily soiled items that could leave residue, odors, or hygiene concerns for the next person. Thoroughly rinse these items first or wash them by hand: greasy or oil-soaked items, muddy clothes, items with pet hair, and dye-bleeding items like new jeans or brightly dyed fabrics. Respect quiet hours and refrain from using the laundry room during those times. Clean up after yourself. Wipe up any spills, check that you got all of your items, and clean the lint filter after each use. General Laundry FAQ Q: What should I do if the washing machine or dryer is not working properly? A: Always report any laundry machine issues in your tenant portal. Lobos will send an appliance technician specialist to assess and fix the issue. Q: How do I get refunded if the washing machine or dryer does not work but still uses my laundry funds? A: If you use laundry machines that require payment per use, you can report any lost value in your tenant portal. As a general rule, we cannot refund more than $10, with the understanding that residents should discontinue use of a laundry machine if it is not working properly. Please be sure to report the maintenance issue as well as the incident of lost funds.
Info About Trash Disposal
Rules and Tips for Proper Trash Disposal Depending on the neighborhood and the type of building in which you reside, details of trash disposal may vary. However, there are some rules of etiquette that apply to all locations. Below are some of the main ones to note, and following these rules will allow you to avoid unnecessary charges to your account: Bag everything. Do not throw loose items in the garbage. This includes wrappers, drink canisters, pet waste, and more. Always bag everything, as there are fines for throwing loose trash into the garbage. The reason why is a practical one – Waste Management is unable to collect un-bagged trash easily, which disrupts their route. It’s much easier (and far more sanitary) for Waste Management professionals to grab bags than sort through loose trash. Do not put garbage in recycling bins. This will lead to charges added to your account. Make sure your recyclables are separated into the proper bins. Do not leave garbage in the buildings (i.e. don’t leave a bag in the lobby, stairwell, or on a porch). This helps keep your shared space clean and violation-free. Buildings with Dumpsters On-Site If you live in a building with on-site dumpsters, please be sure to follow all of the above rules and tips. Waste Management companies are generally scheduled to empty the dumpsters two to three times per week. If the dumpster is blocked by vehicles or bulk items like furniture, they will be unable to empty the dumpsters at their scheduled time. Do not leave furniture or large bulk items in or around a dumpster. Waste management companies are not equipped to remove these items. You will need to hire a bulk trash removal company, such as G.I. Haul, 1-800-Got-Junk, or Junk King, to remove the items. Note: expect these companies to bill for this service. Additionally, be mindful of keeping the lid closed. A closed lid keeps out animals, reduces odors, and prevents rain from filling the dumpster. Properties with Trash Cans or Mobile Totes If you live in a duplex or smaller building (four or fewer units) or you live in a unit with your own entryway, you need to make sure to bring your Waste Management cans and/or totes out before collection day yourself. If you live within the city of Pittsburgh, you can refer to the City of Pittsburgh Curbside Refuse Guidelines. You can also access the city’s collection schedule through this link. When it comes to bulk items, refer to this link from the city of Pittsburgh as to how to dispose of them properly. Lease Guidelines Regarding Trash Disposal Lobos does not charge a monthly fee for trash disposal; however, anyone in violation of the lease could incur a fine. Remember, following these guidelines ensures a safe and sanitary environment for all residents to enjoy. For reference, here is the section of your lease that refers to garbage collection and rules: If you have any questions about garbage, just give us a call! We are happy to help.
How To Put A Maintenance Request Into Your Resident Portal
Using Your Resident Portal To Put In Maintenance Requests One of the most helpful features of your Resident Portal is the ability to submit maintenance requests and general inquiries. This is the easiest and most efficient way to have issues addressed in your apartment, whether they involve plumbing, appliances, or other maintenance-related concerns. Of course, some minor issues may be easy to resolve on your own. Click here for more information on how to troubleshoot small issues in your unit. Putting In A Maintenance Task When you log into your Tenant Portal, you’ll see “REQUESTS” on the right-hand side of the screen. Clicking this tab allows you to view prior requests and their current status (completed, in progress, etc.), as well as create a new request by selecting “CREATE REQUEST.” Once you click the REQUESTS button, you’ll be prompted to choose between a Maintenance Request and a General Inquiry. While these options are similar, they serve different purposes. Maintenance Requests Maintenance Requests should be used for issues that require a maintenance technician to come to your unit to make a repair. Common categories include appliances, electrical, HVAC, keys and locks, lighting, plumbing, and more. When submitting a Maintenance Request: If your issue relates to a past request (for example, if a prior fix did not resolve the problem), toggle “Yes” when asked. Add a clear subject and a detailed description. The more information you provide, the more efficiently and accurately we can complete your work order. If details are missing, we may need to contact you, which can delay service. Upload photos or videos whenever possible. Submitting pictures is the best way to provide helpful details. Photos assist our maintenance team and are also useful for your own documentation. You can communicate with us directly through the Portal regarding your request, and you’ll be able to track its status from submission to completion. General Inquiries General Inquiries are best used for questions about your account, lease, or other non-repair-related topics. As with Maintenance Requests, you’ll have the option to indicate whether your inquiry relates to a previous request and to include a subject and description. While photos are not always necessary, they can still be helpful in some cases. In summation, the things to remember for online requests are: Be as detailed as possible when submitting requests. Always add photos when you can. Select the correct category to ensure your request is routed properly. Submitting a maintenance request acts as permission for our team to enter your unit. We will always knock and announce ourselves first. Issues such as frozen pipes, active water leaks, gas smells, sewer backups, and any problem that could impact health, safety, or cause property damage are considered most urgent and will be triaged first. This does not mean you shouldn’t submit requests for less-urgent issues, only that emergencies are prioritized. If you need maintenance work completed, please submit a request promptly. Your lease requires that maintenance issues be reported as soon as they are noticed. Doing so helps prevent further damage and ensures faster resolution for everyone!