REAL ID
The REAL ID Act that was passed by Congress in 2005 is finally being fully enforced as of May 7, 2025. This law created a federal baseline for security features in licenses and other IDs and prohibits federal agencies from accepting IDs that are not compliant. Most people will be impacted by this law if they travel, so we wanted to mention it in case you have summer break travel plans and have to make it through a TSA checkpoint. Here is the link to the REAL ID FAQ page for additional info.
Spring Storms
We’ve recently had several strong storms come through Central Texas that have resulted in roof leaks and damage. Please take a moment to look at your roof, from the ground only, to see if there is any obvious damage such as missing or lifted shingles, loose shingles in the yard, loose or missing siding, or interior signs like water spots on the ceiling. If you see any of these please report them through your tenant portal, and if there are any large water spots on an inside ceiling then stay out from under it until it can be determined if it is potentially a hazard.
Mosquitos!
With the changing seasons come little, blood sucking pests that nobody likes. Here are some tips to help minimize their impact on you:
Eliminate Standing Water- Mosquitoes breed and lay their eggs in water, so avoiding this means nowhere for them to nest. Remove any empty flower pots, buckets, clogged gutters or drains, puddles, tires that catch water, and other places that could end up being filled with rainwater.
Avoid Overwatering Your Yard- Make sure you are only watering your lawn and plants as much as is necessary. Too much water will leave puddles and damp areas where mosquitoes will remain near at all times.
Maintain Proper Distances for Tiki Torches & Bug Zappers- Tiki torches can be effective as long as they are within a close distance to your location. (Ensure they aren’t placed under or near anything that could catch fire.) If you decide to use a bug zapper, keep it as far away from your home as possible since it is made to attract flying pests like mosquitoes.
Wear Long Sleeves & Pants- Whenever possible, wear long sleeves and pants when you’re outside to avoid getting bitten by these annoying pests.
Hide Your Scent- Find ways to hide your scent with smells mosquitoes don’t like such as garlic, basil, peppermint, lemongrass, neem, or even deet found in products.
Are Wipes Really Flushable?
The manufacturers of these moist wipes almost all print on their packaging that these are flushable; however, they are not flushable! If you have a sewer backup and the plumber finds wipes in the lines you may be charged for the plumbing bill and any related expenses. Please do not flush anything down the toilet other than human waste and regular toilet paper.
Scams Are Getting More Sophisticated
With the continuing technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), we are seeing more scams that make it easier for criminals to socially engineer their way into people’s bank and other accounts.
AI is being used to imitate real voices, and sooner than later it will be able to create a video that mimics a real person’s image on a video call. Anytime someone contacts you and asks you for money or information that you were not expecting you should keep in mind “When in Doubt: Hang Up, Look Up, & Call Back.” This is even more important if they are trying to instill a sense of urgency, keep you on the phone without interruption, and tell you not to talk to anyone else.
While the advice to look up things is sound an additional issue to be aware of and on the lookout for is Google search results showing scam websites that fool people into calling them instead of the actual business. Scammers can manipulate search results and provide fraudulent contact info when people are looking for things like bank or retailer support. They get victims to call an alternative number with a convincing website, so always make sure you are on the official website when looking anything up online.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation recently released a Public Service Announcement alerting the public about the increasing threat of AI based fraud. Some of the topics covered in detail are:
AI-Generated Text
AI-Generated Images
AI-Generated Audio, aka Vocal Cloning
AI-Generated Videos
The announcement has tips to protect yourself and a link to file a report if you are a victim of financial fraud.
Thank you for being a resident! 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 drains 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, contact your property manager at 512-617-6766.
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.
