Unclaimed Funds
Did you know that most, if not all, state governments keep a database of unclaimed funds that belong to the general public? In Texas, there are hundreds of millions of dollars submitted to the state that are unclaimed each year. You never know if you or someone you know might be owed funds. In fact, when writing this post, I came across seven of my family members who are in the database with anywhere from $30 to several hundred dollars that are available to claim.
Check out ClaimItTexas.gov and search for similar databases in other states you may have lived in or think you might have unclaimed funds in. Beware of scam sites that charge a fee to help you recover funds because you can do it for free directly through the state’s process without paying a third party. It is not easy to claim funds, but may be worth it depending on how much is available for recovery.
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.
City of Austin Utility Emergency Preparedness Popups
The city is hosting two popups that will have some giveaways including emergency weather radios and other items until they run out of supplies!
Here is the info:
Tuesday, June 9, 2026; 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
Utility Customer Service Center (North) — 8716 Research Blvd., Ste. 115
Wednesday, June 10, 2026; 8-11 a.m.
Utility Customer Service Center (South) — 1901 W. William Cannon Drive, Ste. 100
Lawn Care and Watering Restrictions
We’ve been fortunate so far this spring with a good amount of rain that is tempering the heat. We’re lucky to have this weather, although it may eventually give way to our typically dry summer heat. When that happens, please be mindful of watering restrictions as most leases require you to maintain the lawn and landscaping. If you live in an HOA governed neighborhood, they likely require the lawn to be kept green and well maintained. Here are links to some local restrictions or check with your provider or local city/county-
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.
Renter’s, Auto, and Flood Insurance
Part of being prepared for life challenges is to have insurance for the things you may not be able to recover from on your own, and some are required to participate in our social contract like auto insurance. Many people don’t know that typical homeowner and renter policies don’t include flood insurance coverage.
Insurance rates change constantly, and your best defense against rising costs is to shop for your policies as often as you see fit. This is typically done at the time of renewal, and we’d like to recommend contacting our partner who has access to many carriers and policy types to get you the best deal for your needs. Our partner can help you get the coverage you need, review existing policies, shop for the best deal, automatically look for better options ahead of renewal, and/or answer questions with no obligation to buy anything from them. More information and contact details can be found by contacting Andor Insurance.
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.
