Holiday Hours
We will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 28th and the 29th for the Thanksgiving Holiday and will resume normal hours on the following business day. With the holiday season on the horizon there will be closures each month for the rest of the year in an effort to give everyone here at Stone Oak more time off with their families and friends. Review our holiday closing schedule for more information.
We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Burning Smell from Your Heater and HVAC System
Now that temperatures are falling, many of us are firing up our heating systems for the first time in months. For many of you, that first rush of warm air may come with a burning odor. That smell is most common when you turn on your heating unit for the first time of the season. After a long period of time without use, dust and other debris can settle on the heat exchanger, burners and other components. You may get a smoky odor as these particles burn off. Not to worry. That smoky odor should stop once all the dust and other particles have burned away. If the smell lingers over time or gets worse, turn off your unit and contact the maintenance department, stoneoakmgmt.com/maintenance or call 512-617-6766 ext-5. If you see smoke or suspect a fire always call 911. If you smell gas get everyone out of the home and call 911 and/or the gas company.
Cooler Weather and your Fireplaces
Please be sure to follow your lease when it comes to fireplace usage and safety. If you have any questions about your fireplace please contact your property manager. Do not use fireplaces without having them checked to confirm the chimney and flu are free of obstructions, and they are safe to use. If you have questions about this please contact your property manager.
Holiday Cooking and Drains
When preparing the meals we all enjoy during the holidays we generate a lot of food waste. We just want to remind everyone that nothing should be put down the drains or it could result in plumbing charges to you if things get clogged up. Here is a short article about the issue, and keep in mind that while this discusses food waste all of that food has to go somewhere after our bodies have taken what they want from it. Never flush things down the toilet other than human waste and toilet paper. Manufacturers of wipes claim they are flushable, but they are absolutely not flushable and should never be put down drains.
Seasonal Reminders
As the seasons are changing and winter approaches, it's essential to prepare your rented space for the colder months ahead. While certain maintenance duties fall under the landlord's responsibility, there are a few proactive steps you, as a tenant, can take to ensure a comfortable and safe winter.
Clarify responsibilities: Familiarize yourself with your lease to understand the division of responsibilities. Determine who's accountable for weatherizing features of the home, changing filters, cleaning ducts and discuss acceptable methods to prevent damage to your belongings and the home itself.
Replace smoke/carbon monoxide alarm batteries: The National Fire Protection Association suggests replacing your smoke and CO alarm batteries twice a year. Test the ceiling smoke detectors and power outlet mounted carbon monoxide detectors every 2-3 months by pressing and holding the test button till it beeps; if it continues to beep periodically after the test, the battery needs to be replaced.
Heat check: Although maintaining the heating system is the landlord's duty, you should test the heat at your rental property early to ensure proper functionality. Discovering and addressing issues beforehand is preferable to dealing with heating problems during freezing temperatures. Early detection will keep you and your loved ones warm, comfortable and happy.
Pest prevention: With colder weather, pests seek the warmth from the indoors. Minimize attracting unwanted guests by storing food in sealed containers, promptly disposing of food-related trash, and keeping countertops clean to deter pests.
Avoid frozen pipes: Adhere to your landlord's instructions to prevent frozen or burst pipes. This is a costly mistake for everyone and can be easily avoided with small actions. Before leaving for an extended period, take proper precautions for potential freezing weather and have a neighbor, friend, or family member check on the home periodically. Outdoor water spigots for hoses are also at risk of freezing. Remove any connected hoses and install a hardware store’s foam faucet cover to easily solve this concern.
Optimize warmth and savings: Manage heating/electricity costs by lowering the thermostat while away or sleeping, potentially saving up to 10% annually on your bill. You can even utilize ceiling fans set to clockwise rotation to distribute warmth most effectively.
Prepare for emergencies: If your area frequently experiences power outages or freezing during winter storms, sign up for local weather and emergency alerts. Stay indoors during severe weather and postpone any travel until safe conditions prevail. Store non-perishable foods, water and flashlights to have on hand for riding out worse storms.
Timely issue reporting: Promptly notify your landlord/property management about any winter-related problems like frozen pipes, water leaks, broken appliances or heating issues to prevent escalation and ensure swift resolution.
By communicating with your landlords/property management company about responsibilities, testing heating systems, preventing pest infestations, and taking measures to avoid frozen pipes, you as a tenant can ensure a smoother winter experience. Being vigilant about reporting any issues promptly allows for timely resolutions, ensuring a comfortable and secure living environment throughout the winter months. Collaborative efforts between tenants and landlords lay the foundation for a hassle-free and enjoyable winter season in your rental property. Stay warm and safe out there.
Lockbox Pickup
If you have a lockbox on your door or somewhere on the property please contact your property manager rather than submitting a maintenance request so we can arrange for removal. Once we are notified that a lockbox needs to be retrieved, a team member will be out within a week to grab it. You do not need to be home, and just be aware that someone will come by to get it. If the lockbox is somehow inside the home then let us know so we can arrange to meet with you or have it left outside when we are going to come by.
Austin Holiday Fun
The Holiday Season is upon us and with that comes tons of activities and shopping for the whole family! From the Trail of Lights to the Blue Genie Bazaar, you are sure to find something for everyone.
Austin Creative Reuse Holiday Market - There is a lot of benefit to reducing and reusing materials when it comes to taking care of our environment. Their Facebook page provides some details about this event taking place on the upcoming weekend with food trucks and many local vendors making unique items that would be great for the holiday season. They are open this weekend on Saturday, 11/30, Sunday 12/1. If you miss the first weekend then catch them on Saturday 12/7 and Sunday, 12/8 with the dates linked to each day’s event page on their website.
Blue Genie Art Bazaar - The Blue Genie Art Bazaar is a fixture of the Austin holiday season. With in-person and virtual shopping alternatives, shoppers can browse thousands of original works ranging from serious art to fun and kitschy items. A great way to buy hassle-free holiday gifts and support local artists.
Trail of Lights -The trail of lights in Zilker Park (downtown area) is a beautiful, festive mile-long walk through a dazzling light display. With the cold weather, grab a cup of hot chocolate and gather friends and family for lights and lots of family fun.
Luminations at the Wildflower Center - Gardens and trails are filled with thousands of luminaries and twinkling lights! Here you can stroll around seeing all the beautiful sights. You can also expect live music, food and more!
Peppermint Parkway - The Circuit of the Americas is a really fun drive-through experience for people of all ages. Purchase advance tickets to drive through some fun displays such as Twinkle Tunnel, Candy Cane Lane, Gingerbread Alley, The Enchanted Forest, Frozen Land, The North Pole, and Peppermint Plaza! They even have some go-karting and holiday ziplining!
Santa’s Ranch - Just a short drive south of Austin you’ll find Santa’s Ranch in New Braunfels. Santa’s Ranch features another pretty sensational light show you can enjoy from the comfort of your own car! With over 100 displays and animations, this light trail is over 1 mile long!
Pet Insurance
With Austin being one of the most pet-friendly cities in the country, chances are you have a pet living with you. During your tenancy with Stone Oak, we recommend obtaining insurance for your beloved pets in the event there was ever an emergency or tragedy.
Things covered by pet insurance:
Accidents and illnesses
Cuts and bite wounds
X-rays
Ear infections
Digestive problems
Cancer
Check out their informational flyer here and sample policy here.
Unexpected accidents and illnesses can occur at every stage of life for your pets. Make sure they are covered! More information about pet insurance can be found by contacting Stone Oak’s insurance partner, Andor Insurance.
Ryan at Andor can also help you with your Renter’s, Auto and other types of policies. Use the link to get in touch with him and see what he can do for you!
Thank you for trusting Stone Oak! Please don't hesitate to contact our staff if we can help with anything.
Routine Maintenance Reminders
- Maintenance Requests: We still receive a lot of maintenance requests that state something vague like "washer" or "AC" without any other info about the actual issue. We cannot act on requests like this and will require that you provide more info, so any request like this will only delay a resolution to the issue. Make sure you provide as much info as possible in your request including pics if possible.
- Maintenance Portal: Please make a list of any items you want to submit, and then list all issues together as one request including as much info as possible and attach photos if applicable. We will then evaluate whether they should be split up or not.
- Smoke and CO Alarms: As a reminder don't ever unplug and remove smoke detectors because they are beeping. Change the batteries and if that doesn't work please notify us. We find a lot of tenants unplug them and bury them in a closet or drawer instead of replacing batteries.
- A/C Filters: Make sure to check and change every month or as required by the type of filter. If any HVAC systems in your home have a reusable filter you are still required to clean them periodically, so please make sure they are kept clean.
- Toilets: "Flushable" Wipes CANNOT be flushed. Do not put anything down the drain except water, human waste, and regular toilet paper. Food, toys, feminine products, wipes, towels, wrappers, condoms, and other objects do not break apart and go down the drain. Clogs of the plumbing system may be charged back to you, so it is best to avoid this by not putting anything down any of the drains aside from water and human waste.
- Disposal Systems: This includes using the sink disposal as a garbage chute. These appliances are not meant to dispose of large quantities of food and should only be used as a last resort after all food items are scraped off dishes into a compost bin or trash can.
- Drainage: Shower, bath, and sink drains can get clogged up over time with hair and other organic matter. Do not use Draino-type products as they are extremely acidic and will do more harm than good by damaging the pipes while usually failing to fix the drainage issue. The best way to address this is to use a disposable drain snake that can be obtained from any hardware store for a couple of dollars. Please note that if we send out a vendor for this and it turns out to be this very issue you may be charged back for the cost. Here is a video on how to use those - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOb4MJ6widg
- Emergency Maintenance: This extension should not be called unless you have an issue involving Flood, Blood, or Fire. Do not call the emergency line to follow up on existing work orders or submit a new request that is not an emergency. In case of an emergency call 911 if needed and then contact us after everyone is safe. Remember that we do not monitor emails after hours, so if you submit something considered an emergency online and do not call we may not know until the next business day.
Other Maintenance Notes:
If you'd like to inquire about, or update an existing request, submit the form at stoneoakmgmt.com/maintenance or call 512-617-6766 ext-5.
Maintenance time frames continue to be extended due to the pandemic. Please allow at least 5 business days before requesting an update from our team unless it is an emergency.
For basic DIY tips and tricks to solve some issues quickly, visit our DIY rental property maintenance page.
Your Tenant Portal & Electronic Statements
The system will generate a statement even if you're moving out, so there is no need to contact us if you receive this and are moving. All charges, including any prorated rent, will be adjusted as needed when the deposit is processed.
If you are not using the portal app that keeps you logged in please take a look at the linked flyer for more info. This can eliminate forgotten passwords, and help with easy updates/access to maintenance requests and all other account details.
AppFolio Tenant Portal Information
