The Maintenance Staff at South Campus Commons endeavors to make your apartment a comfortable place to call home. As with any home, sometimes things break or stop working. When this occurs, our Maintenance team does their best to resolve the issue within 24-48 hours of the work order being received. For more information on placing a work order, please see below.

General Information

Work Orders / Maintenance Tickets
Work orders allow our residents to request a maintenance technician to enter their apartment and repair an issue. All residents can access the online work order system through their resident portal. While work orders can be placed 24 hours a day, they will not be received until the next morning if they are placed through the portal after 5:00 p.m. If there is an after-hours emergency, please contact the Service Desk. When filling out a work order, please be as detailed as possible. For example,“Dryer is not heating” is much more informative than “Dryer broken”. This kind of specific information will allow the maintenance technician to diagnose the problem and complete the repair much more quickly.

If there are questions or concerns about a work order, please feel free to contact the South Campus Commons Maintenance Office at 301.226.2749.

Preventive Maintenance
Occasionally, a preventive maintenance technician will post a notice to enter your apartment in order to perform preventive maintenance on the apartment systems. Their preventive maintenance checklist includes tasks such as: changing the air filter in the HVAC system, checking the water temperatures of the bathtubs, checking air flow temperatures from the vents, checking the plumbing for leaks, and cleaning the HVAC coil. When you receive this notice, please make sure that all of these areas are accessible for the technician.

South Campus Commons also provides a preventive maintenance pest control program. Each apartment will receive preventive pest control services twice a year. It is very important that the apartment be clean at the time of this service, so plan to clean the apartment when you receive the notice of entry. The treatment consists of fast-drying gel bait; no sprays will be used for the preventive treatment.

Damage Charge Appeals
Charges may be appealed by the resident under the following circumstances:

  • The charge was applied in error
  • There is additional information / documentation regarding responsible party
  • A resident is taking responsibility for charges applied to another account (Responsible party must select “Claim Charge Responsibility” below)

*Appeals will not be accepted from guarantors or any other party on behalf of the resident. Each resident must appeal his/her own damage.  Appeals will not be accepted from an individual on behalf of all residents in an apartment.

*Be sure to have all information and documentation completely assembled prior to submission.  Multiple appeals will not be accepted for the same charge.

Click on the “Appeal” button to submit the charge appeal form.  All fields must be completed. Please be as detailed as possible to aid our staff in accurately investigating your concerns.  Where possible, please include dates, times, work order numbers, or any other documentation available. Residents must describe the specific damage(s)/charge(s) they are appealing and the justification of why you are not responsible. We urge all residents to reference their lease prior to submitting an appeal.

If a resident wishes to claim responsibility for charges assessed to another account, please click on the “Claim Charge Responsibility” button below.  It is also highly recommended that the individual whose account was charged also submit an appeal and indicate that you are taking responsibility for the charges.

You will receive an email within 48 business hours to confirm the appeal has been received.  The resident will be contacted once a decision has been reached.  The process can range from 7 to 30 days depending on current volume and the complexity of the appeal investigation.  During this time, any documentation on file will be referenced in conjunction with resident-submitted documentation.

Please note; submission of an appeal does not negate the resident’s responsibility to pay.  Should the resident be found not-responsible for the charge, a credit will be issued, and a refund mailed (for past residents).  Accounts not paid in accordance to the lease and its deadlines are subject to submission to collection agency and credit reporting.  The accounting and appeals processes are independent.  Payment of the charge does not influence the outcome of an appeal in any way.

Appeal

Room Condition Reports (RCR)

Upon move-in, residents must assess the condition of their room and apartment by completing an online Room Condition Report (RCR) to document the condition of their space at the time of move-in.  Upon move-out, an inspection of their apartment is completed comparing the condition at move-in with the condition at move-out, to determine what would not be considered to be normal wear and tear.  If an RCR is not completed and submitted, the resident’s room and apartment will be inspected with the assumption that all items and furniture were in satisfactory condition with no damage at move-in.

Please log on to the Resident Portal to complete the RCR within seven (7) days of your move-in date.  To complete the form:

Assess the condition of the apartment overall including walls, carpet, furniture, appliances and bathroom.

Select the appropriate condition box and add descriptions of any damage that exists in the apartment.  Be as specific as possible using numbers, dimensions and descriptions.  For example, if the kitchen counter has SCC written in the laminate, write 2-inch SCC written near sink in the move-in column in the kitchen section next to “counter.”

Submit the completed RCR and print or e-mail yourself a copy for your records.

If there are any questions about how to complete the form, please contact the Management Office at 301.314.2499 for assistance.

HVAC and Building Thermostat Directions

HVAC System Overview
All 7 buildings have climate control systems in each apartment.  In Buildings 1 and 2, the HVAC is on a commercial system, which allows for some variation of temperature in each apartment, but is generally set to either cool or heat.  This is similar to a typical residence-hall set-up.  All other buildings utilize independent compressors for each apartment, which allows the occupants greater control over the temperature ranges in their unit.

Building 7

Building 7 is a green building using LEED Gold standards. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It was formulated by the U.S. Green Building Council. Based in Washington D.C., the Green Building Council is a nonprofit coalition developed by the leaders of the building industry. LEED is a nationally recognized certification program that has produced a standard in green development and building designs. It promotes the use of environmentally friendly products and materials used to develop sustainable green buildings. Green building construction uses these materials to make healthy environments for humans and pets, to conserve water and energy, and to use materials that have a low impact on the integrity of the natural environment.

LEED certification is being used to bring sustainability into building design through a nationally recognized standard of excellence. This is a high standard, and if it is met and certified, more buildings will be officially safe for both the environment and the people who use them. This is a massive effort that involves the federal, state and local governments adopting green standards in building codes, as well as banks who approve the funding for such green projects. The application of green standards is incorporated into the plans of architects and engineers, and construction managers and interior designers coordinate the use of materials and build according to code and plans. The LEED objective is currently implemented both domestically and internationally, so this is a worldwide effort to change the environment of the world—one green building at a time.

The LEED certification is an involved process of verifying and certifying the total design of your building project for its efficiency. The certification of your building allows you to take advantage of benefits of “going green,” including not only state and local incentives, but also the efficiency of the building itself. Certification can be acquired on four different levels, each based on the grade in sustainability, efficiency in water usages, atmosphere and energy, materials and resources, and the quality of the indoor environment. The levels are certified, silver, gold and platinum for new construction projects, and will soon include commercial, new home, and neighborhood development projects.

When looking for new appliances for building 7 we looked for ENERGY STAR products, which have met EPA and U.S. Department of Energy guidelines for energy efficiency. In 2006, the ENERGY STAR program saved energy equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road and saved Americans $14 billion in utility costs.

Dishwasher Operation & Care
The energy efficient dishwasher is equipped to use 40% less energy than the older models. Make sure dishes—including cups and glasses—are scraped and free of food before placing them in the racks. Food particles left on dishes will jam the dishwasher. The disposal unit is not connected to the dishwasher. Do not crowd dishes, cups, glasses, or silverware. Crowding impedes water circulation. For maximum cleaning efficiency, avoid covering the center hole in the lower rack. Use only automatic dishwashing productsPlease do not use dish soap or laundry detergent. They will block the washing action, clog outlets, damage the motor, cause the unit to overflow, and deposit scum on the dishes and glasses. Damages are billable to the resident.   You will save power by waiting to run your dishwasher until you have a full load. However, do not leave soiled dishes in the dishwasher for a long period or you may attract unwanted insects.
Electric Range & Range Hood Operation & Care
The key to keeping a kitchen range operating properly is to clean it regularly. Clean up spills soon after they occur. Some acidic foods, such as tomato products, can damage the surface of the cooktop and interior of the oven. Cleaning the range with regular dish soap and warm water is all that is required—no chemicals are necessary.
Front-Loading Washer/Dryer Operation & Care
Washing machines may come in different sizes and shapes, but ultimately have the same features and purposes. They all require the proper settings, soap, water and clothes to wash. Yet, there are a few things you should know in order to properly use a washing machine:

Load your clothes loosely in the washing machine. Load the laundry up to the top row of holes in the tub. Do not overload as it can cause the machine to malfunction. Area rugs of any type are not permitted in the washing machines or the dryers. This includes bathroom rugs.

Use only High Efficiency detergents, which should be added to compartment (B). Do not use liquid dish soap or dishwasher soaps.   All liquid soaps should be used according to the recommendations listed on the packaging. Your washer has separate compartments for adding liquid bleach and fabric softener. If you are adding liquid bleach it should be added to compartment (C) and fabric softener should be added to compartment (D), please follow the instructions on the bleach and fabric softener packaging to find out how much and when you should add them.

Garbage Disposal Operation & Care
Do not discard the following items in your disposal:

Metal, glass, plastic, grease, paper, bones, banana peels, shells of any kind, rags, potato peels, celery, or asparagus.

NOTE: If you cannot chew it, neither can your disposal.

If a spoon, bottle cap, or other foreign item becomes lodged in the disposal, DO NOT attempt to retrieve it. Please follow the necessary steps in filing a work order and Maintenance will respond within 24-48 hours.

Microwave Oven Operation & Care
Your new microwave not only saves energy; it helps prevent air pollution and saves money, frequently with better performance.   Microwave ovens are a great convenience in the kitchen, and here is an easy way to clean them. With a damp cloth, wipe the interior of the microwave. Wash tray in the sink with dish soap. Dry and return to microwave.
Energy Efficient Features

Dual Flush Toilets

It’s an interactive toilet design that helps conserve water. The dual flush toilet uses a larger diameter trap way that doesn’t clog as often as a conventional toilet, needs less water to flush efficiently and saves more water than a low flow toilet when flushing liquid waste.

Fluorescent Lighting

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy.

Sinks and Bathtubs

Scouring pads that are made with polyethylene, nylon or contain no abrasives may be used. CAUTION: The use of rubber or plastic mats is not recommended. If used, do not leave mat on the tub bottom after use because of possible surface degradation.

Adjustable Thermostats

While lowering the temperature of your thermostat a few degrees during your apartment’s occupied hours is helpful in terms of energy conservation, it’s at night and when you’re away from the apartment that you can turn down the thermostat even more, thus significantly reducing your energy usage.

The SmartBurner

 

Every apartment will now have SmartBurner technology installed on the cooktop instead of the traditional electric coils. This equipment is designed to protect you and our community from accidental cooking fires in the kitchen.

The SmartBurner cooking surface temperature is kept below the flash point of most cooking oils and common combustible household items without sacrificing sufficient cooking temperatures. The large cooking surface retains heat more efficiently than a coil element and distributes heat more evenly. You use less energy and get more balanced cooking performance. You can even turn your burner off a few minutes before you finish cooking and the residual heat will complete the job.

Below is some important information that you will need to know for proper use and care that differs from traditional electric stove tops.

SmartBurner Safety
  • SmartBurner will never glow red (at any temperature) so you should not touch the burner. The stove panel element indicator light is your best way to determine if a burner plate is on.
  • Since SmartBurner holds heat longer than a traditional coil element, always take extra care before touching a burner plate, especially after cooking.
  • Flat bottom pots and pans work best on your SmartBurner. Warped or curved bottom pots and pans are less stable and could result in accidental spills.
  • Use cookware that appropriately fits the burner. A pot or pan that is too large for the burner will be less stable and could result in accidental spills.
Care & Cleaning
Please follow the below guidelines to ensure you do not damage the SmartBurner

  • Always ensure the burner is cool before attempting to clean.
  • Do not use steel wool or abrasive chemicals to clean the burner.
  • Do not soak the burner or run through the dishwasher.
  • Use a damp cloth or sponge with mild detergent or soap to clean the surface of the burner and surrounding plate.
  • After thoroughly wiping soap from the burner plate, you should towel dry completely before use.
  • If you experience malfunction of your SmartBurner, please submit a work order.
Cooking Fire Safety Tips
  • Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended.
  • Keep cooking area clean and clear of combustibles such as potholders, rags, and food packaging.
    Cooking should never be performed while under the influence of any substance that impairs judgment.
    Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.
  • Turn pot handles inward so they can’t be bumped.
  • Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if moisture in the mitt is heated.