Residents

Moving In

Prior to moving into your new home, you will be required to inspect the unit with a management representative. During the inspection please check the following:

• Lights
• Doors
• Locks
• Plumbing
• Kitchen Appliances

If there is a problem, the management representative will submit a work order to have the items repaired.

Parking

Resident parking is limited to designated parking spaces. Please be sure that your guests do not park in spaces reserved for other residents. If you or a guest park in another resident’s parking space that car will be ticketed and then towed within 24 hours. Parking on the lawn is strictly prohibited.

Parking stickers for your vehicles are required. Each family may register no more than two vehicles with the Authority. The vehicle must be registered, inspected and insured in the tenant’s name.

Residents are responsible for moving their cars to facilitate snow plowing. Residents should be ready to move their car as soon as they see the trucks plowing the parking lots.

Keys

Each family is issued a key for their apartment. There is a charge for extra keys. If you lose your keys or get locked out please call the office. If it is after normal business hours you will be charged. We will unlock the door for adult residents only. Please note that we are unable to unlock the apartment door for children.

Postal Service

The mail receptacles are located at the entrance to both Franklin and Elm Streets. You must go to the local post office with a copy of your lease and they will issue you a key.

Cable Television

Your apartment has been wired for cable it is your responsibility to contact the cable company to have the cable connected or disconnected. Satellite dishes are not permitted.

Decorating your Home

We encourage you to decorate your home and make it feel the way you’d like. However when decorating please remember:

• Do not damage the walls when hanging pictures.
• Rugs are allowed but they may not be nailed or glued to the floor.
• You may purchase paint and paint your walls in pastel colors only. No wallpaper or other wall coverings allowed.

Rental Payments

Rent is due on the first business day of each month. You may pay in person at the office or mail your check or money order. A fee will be charged for any checks that are returned for insufficient funds.

Annual Recertification

Once a year the Housing Authority is required to complete an annual review of each family’s composition and income in order to calculate the correct rent. The Housing Authority staff will mail an appointment notice scheduling an interview.

Housekeeping and Maintenance Inspections

Apartment Upkeep

It is the responsibility of the resident to keep the apartment and outside area of the unit clean, well maintained and free of hazards.

Maintenance Emergencies

The following are coded as EMERGENCY please call the office 802-655-2360 immediately if any of these situations should occur:

• Gas Leaks (call 911)
• Broken Water Lines
• Toilet Stoppage (if there is only one restroom in the unit)
• Water Heater Burst
• Main Line Stoppage
• No Water through out unit
• Entry Door Broken or Unable to Lock
• Defective or Missing Smoke Detector
• Collapsing Wall or Ceiling
• Electrical Failure through out Unit
• Exposed or Frayed Electrical Wires

Emergency work orders are to be completed or abated within 24 hours.

Routine Maintenance

Non emergency maintenance requests should be called into the office as soon as possible. If no maintenance staff member has come to your apartment within three (3) working days, please call the office. All maintenance requests must go through the office.

Annual Inspections

WHA is required to inspect each unit on an annual basis.

Emergencies

Fire Safety

Each apartment has an electric smoke detector. If you believe there is a problem with your smoke detector please call the office immediately.

False Alarms

Most false alarms are caused by food burned while cooking. If this happens to you DO NOT open your door to let the smoke out, this action will set off the smoke alarms in the hallways. If you live at Spring Gardens or The Terrace you should open your window to vent the smoke. There is no need to call the Fire Department as alarms ring directly to the Fire Department.

Fences

Please note that WHA no longer allows fences in the front yards. We will be removing front fences as residents move out. If residents wish to put up a fence they first must contact the office and receive written permission from the property manager. If any unapproved fencing is put into place you will be notified that it must be taken down or maintenance will remove it.

Insurance

The Winooski Housing Authority carries insurance on its buildings; however, it does not insure the contents of any apartments. If you wish to have your personal property insured against fire, theft or water damage, you must do so at your own expense. “Renter’s Insurance” is available at nominal cost from most insurance agencies.

Pets

Residents may have one (1) common household pet that must be registered with the Housing Authority. Please request a copy of the WHA Pet Policy for additional information.