Q: Can I get a lock put onto my bedroom door?
A: Many of our properties do not come with locks on the bedroom doors. With so many wonderful residents, the odds of someone locking themselves out of their room are surprisingly high. Of course, we do our best to cater to our residents. If you would like a lock on your room, contact John and he will work something out with you.
Q: Do I have to put the utilities in my name?
A: You will be responsible for all of your utilities. You will need to put gas and electric in your name. Water remains under HOW Properties, and we will bill you each month for reimbursement. Great news! We use energy efficient appliances in all of our housing which allows for the lowest possible bills. We also send out tips on energy conservation in our monthly newsletters. Who doesn’t like saving a little money while saving the planet?
Q: How do I get cable and internet for the house?
A: We recommend Comcast. In our experience, they have the least amount of issues installing cable and internet. Since all our units have existing lines, Comcast can easily connect your unit through the backyard or basement. You may certainly use other providers. Unfortunately, we do not allow any of the dish providers. When a dish system is installed, the provider needs to drill holes into our properties, and the wires they run all over aren’t usually covered up. We’re trying to keep our properties as nice for you as possible – the holes they drill can cause structural damage and no one wants to look at a bunch of wires all over the place.
Q: Do you put blinds on the windows?
A: We do not supply any blinds. You may find that the previous tenants have left window treatments for your use. If there are no treatments, it’s a great opportunity for you to put a little of your own personality into the apartment and make it a home of your own.
Q: Do you provide a shower curtain?
A: Unfortunately we do not provide a shower curtain. It’s another opportunity to add that personal touch to your new home. We highly recommend purchasing a tension rod to use for the shower curtain.
Q: Where do I send my rent and when is it due?
A: Rent checks can be made payable to How Properties and sent to 1145 Forrest Ave., Suite 300, Conshohocken, PA 19428. Rent checks are due on the 1st of the month. You have a 5 day grace period, so you have until the 5th of the month to get your checks to us. Unfortunately, checks received after the 5th of the month incur a small charge (the details of which can be found in your lease). We do understand that circumstances may arise which cause you to be a few days late. If you are going to be a few days late on your rent, contact John Pack 610-914-5181 and he will work with you to help you avoid incurring late fees.
Q: I have a maintenance request, what should I do?
A: It’s as easy as visiting our website at www.howproperties.com. Once there place your request using our online form. All requests go directly to John Pack, and he will respond to them ASAP. Maintenance requests are usually handled within 24-48 hours. If the request is an emergency or it has not been addressed in a timely manner, call John right away to resolve any issues.
Q: Do I have to recycle?
A: Of course you need to recycle! We need to keep our city and planet as clean as possible. If being green isn’t enough incentive, the city started fining residents for not recycling. If you do not have a recycling bin, you may visit one of the Streets Department’s Sanitation Convenience Centers. Visit www.recyclingpays.phila.gov to find your closest center. You may also use a trashcan marked with the word “Recycling” on the side.
Q: Do you supply trashcans?
A: Most of our properties have trashcans, but we do not supply new trashcans. Many residents lose their trashcans, and it becomes too costly to replace them. We recommend trashcans with lids, since it helps contain the trash and prevents the wind from blowing it all over the streets. Your trash needs to be in a trashcan to avoid receiving fines from the city.
Q: Can I have a pet?
A: While we’re all animal lovers here at HOW Properties, we only allow pets on a case by case basis. In order to have a pet, there has to be a signed pet addendum added to your lease. Typically, small animals are perfectly fine with us, but this can be discussed as the pet issue comes up. If you have a pet and we need to get into your unit for any reason, Fido or Fluffy needs to be contained in a crate or room. This is for your pet’s safety as well as ours.
