Tenant Tools

Parking
1. If your Burlington apartment comes with a parking spot or garage space, you must have a current Hinsdale Properties parking pass on your vehicle to identify it to the towing company.
2. Should your car get towed from one of our lots for whatever reason, please call Spillane’s Towing at 802-863-7900
3. If you live in one of our Downtown Burlington Apartments that does not include parking and are interested in obtaining a city garage parking spot, please visit Park Burlington for more information.
Window Areas
1. If you have aluminum storm windows, save heating costs by putting the storms down when the heat is on.
2. Our insurance company strictly prohibits putting plastic or tape on or around windows. Hinsdale Properties will supply rope caulk upon request.
3. You are responsible for broken windows. When raising a window, make sure it will stay up before you walk away. If a window breaks, do not throw any parts away.
4. If you have plants on window sills, be sure you have a plate under them to keep water from running through the pot. Please do not hang plants from the ceiling or woodwork. DO NOT hang plants from sprinkler lines.
Appliances
1. Parts to refrigerators and ranges must be kept with the appliances. Occupants are responsible for dirty, damaged or missing parts.
2. When moving appliances, be careful not to damage the floors.
3. Do not use tape or decals on appliances.
Heat
1. Learn how to use your heaters. If you are not sure, call us.
2. Heat may not be turned off during cold weather. Pipes will freeze and break, devastating the building. Apartments must be kept at 55 degrees or above at all times.
3. Be sure drapes, curtains, furniture and other items are not near or blocking heater vents.
Security
1. We are not responsible for your possessions. Your lease requires you to have ‘Renter’s Insurance’. It is very worth it.
2. It is your obligation to make sure the smoke detector is working at all times and to replace the battery if it wears out. Fines will result if your smoke detector is not working at all times or if it has been tampered with. Replace the battery if it’s chirping.
3. Make sure your windows lock securely. Please call the office, if they do not.
4. Keeping blinds and curtains closed will deter theft.
5. If lights are out in the hallway of your building or outside your apartment, please contact Hinsdale Properties.
Plumbing
1. Report any problem to us at once.
2. Learn where your shutoffs are under sinks, etc. so in an emergency, water can be turned off.
3. Be sure shower curtain is closed when shower is in use. If water gets on the floor, it needs to be cleaned up immediately. You are responsible for any damage that may result.
4. If something falls or is put in a drain or toilet, please contact us immediately. Do not try to flush objects that have fallen in the toilet or down any drain. This will cause more damage resulting in repair costs to you.
5. If you let the water run over, you are responsible for damage downstairs and in your apartment.
6. A tenant must clean up water spills or toilet overflows immediately. The tenant is responsible for the damage.
7. It is your responsibility to contact us immediately of any running toilets, dripping faucets or any other malfunctioning plumbing. We are not responsible for any part of water bills when we are not aware of the problem.
8. Exhaust fan must be used at all times while bathing or showering. If you have a window instead of a fan, window must be opened to vent out moisture. If exhaust fan isn’t working, contact Hinsdale Properties immediately.
9. If you have a plunger handy, follow the directions in the DIY video to unclog a drain:
Electrical
1. Report any problems to us.
2. When replacing fuses, never use one with a larger rating than the one you are replacing.
3. Extension cords are prohibited! Only surge protectors are allowed.
4. Do not run wires under rugs.
5. Halogen pole lamps are prohibited.
6. Use only 60 Watt light bulbs, unless the fixture states otherwise.
7. If your apartment has an accessible breaker box, follow the instructions in this video to safely reset a tripped breaker:
Floors
1. Be sure tables, chairs and other furniture have felt pads under each leg. Damage to the floor is your responsibility if you fail to protect them correctly.
2. Your carpets and floors are clean when you move in. They should be kept clean and cleaned before you move out.
Rubbish
1. Normal rubbish is removed by us. Furniture, boxes and other large items will be charged to occupant. Please call the office if you need to schedule extra trash pick up.
2. Make sure trash goes in barrel or dumpster and not on the ground. Garbage should be in plastic bags and securely tied closed.
3. Putting trash, furniture, etc. on your front lawn or on the city green belt is prohibited. The City of Burlington will fine tenants in Violation. If we find items on the front lawn or greenbelt, we will remove and charge the cost incurred.
4. Recycling guide:
Smoking
1. Smoking is prohibited within units, on porches, or in common areas.
2. In accordance with Vermont Law, smoking may only happen 25 feet from buildings.
Lead Paint
Miscellaneous
1. Never walk, climb, or sunbathe on roof. This can cause damage, which will result in leaks.
2. The City of Burlington strictly prohibits the use of barbecue or hibachi grills on porches. Please use them on the ground away from the building. Please do not dump ashes on the lawn.
3. Use caution with space heaters!
Tips for New Neighbors
Keep your turf clean. Garbage bagged and brought out to the trash receptacle and not left outside your door, no vehicles on lawn or blocking sidewalk, no broken furniture on porches, no bottles or cups on lawns or porches, or cigarette butts, etc.
Know the Law. It is unlawful to deposit, leave, permit or allow solid waste to accumulate in front yard or right of way locations except when neatly stored in covered containers for brief periods (the day of pick up) for removal by an authorized hauler. Bulk solid waste items such as furniture, rugs, appliances, refuse piles, and similar articles are not permitted in front yard or right of way areas at any time.
Keep it low profile. Minimize gatherings on front porches and yard after 10 pm. No open alcoholic containers outside your building. Limit the number of people at gatherings and ask for police help if it gets out of control.
Loud sounds and noise are prohibited. The Burlington City noise ordinance applies 24 hours a day. People outdoors, arriving, or leaving should stay quiet during late hours. In the event of a noise disturbance, all of the residents at a premises are considered liable, in addition to any other person engaged in making noise. The first violation is a minimum $200 fine, the second one is up to $500. Fireworks are not only illegal but are a large fire hazard.
Use common sense. Keep windows, doors, and vehicles locked when unattended. Keep grills and barbecues off porches and 10 feet from buildings.
Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Neighbors who know each other tend to watch out for one another and keep the building safe.

Tips for New Neighbors

Contact

802.731.0170