Stamm Investments Limited

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Parking

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Maintenance

Stamm Investments Limited is proud of its commitment to timely maintenance in each apartment. We have a number of full-time maintenance staff available to take care of routine maintenance work. In addition, we have a 24 hour Emergency Line for issues that cannot wait until the next business day. An overview of the program follows:

Routine Maintenance:
Routine Maintenance is identified as maintenance that is expected to be done on a semi-regular basis within a residential unit. An example of routine maintenance is: changing tap cartridges (fix leaky tap), or replacing the “flush” handle on a toilet. Routine maintenance is requested by the resident using a Maintenance Work Order (see MWO section) and is performed by our staff during regular business hours. Routine maintenance is usually completed within 3 business days of receipt of the request unless parts are required and/or there are extenuating circumstances.

Maintenance Work Order (MWO):
A tenant must fill in and submit a MWO to the Property Office for maintenance and repairs required in his or her apartment. The Tenant keeps the top page of the MWO for their own records. Approved maintenance and repairs are usually completed within 3 business days of a Tenant's written request, unless parts have to be ordered or a technician cannot be scheduled within this time frame.

A Maintenance Work Order (MWO) may be picked up from the Property Office or downloaded from the website and submitted. Additionally, a MWO may be submitted on-line; however, please be aware that an on-line submission may result in a day or two delay in scheduling maintenance work. The Property Office is always your best source for information and/or timely response.

Request a Maintenance Work Order Online

Emergency Maintenance

Emergency maintenance is identified as, but is not limited to, flood, electrical short, alarms, elevator malfunction, heating malfunction, slip & fall, and lock outs. Each emergency call is evaluated for the nature of the emergency and if it requires “after hours” attention or can wait until the next business day. Only maintenance identified as an emergency, in that it cannot wait in the opinion of our On-Call Staff, will be handled “after hours” or on weekends.

To better serve our tenants, all emergency calls must be directed to the Emergency Assistance Number (519-570-5133). All emergency calls will be recorded and tracked to confirm a satisfactory and timely resolution to the emergency. When calling the Emergency Line you will be asked to identify yourself, your address and the nature of the emergency before emergency assistance will be dispatched. Only true emergencies will be handled after hours and on weekends. Issues of a minor maintenance nature, accounting or information requests or other issues that can wait until the next business day will be addressed on the next business day.

If you witness fire/smoke, or a violent or threatening situation, dial 911 immediately. You may then report the situation to Stamm Investments Limited emergency line. Emergency line personnel are not permitted, by law, to call 911 directly.

Lock Out – If you are locked out of your unit, you must contact the Emergency Assistance Number. In order for Security to assist you in gaining entrance to your unit, you must have valid photo identification with your current home address on it. Security will take from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours or longer to assist you and the tenant cost is currently $45.00 (security fee is subject to change without prior written notice to residents).

If you do not have valid identification you will not be let into a unit and must contact the property office on the next business day. The $45.00 fee will apply each time Security is called to a property, regardless of whether the individual gains access to a unit or is prohibited from doing so.

Parking

Only registered vehicles with a valid “Stamm Investments Limited” parking sticker are eligible to park in the building parking lots. Only registered Tenants/Residents may obtain a parking sticker. Stickers are issued for specific parking areas. Parking in an area that is different from your registration may result in the vehicle being ticketed/and or towed at the vehicle owner’s expense. Vehicles that do not have a valid “Stamm Investments Limited” parking sticker may park in “visitor” parking only. Visitor parking in the building lots is clearly identified an in limited quantity.

Vehicles that are not properly plated, stored, or inoperable are not permitted in any Stamm Investments Limited Parking lot and will be ticketed/and or towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Only 1 underground parking spot may be assigned per unit at all locations with underground parking, with the exception of the Glen Royal. Underground Parking is based on a first-come-first-served based on availability. Please note that the Outdoor Parking Permit sticker allows your vehicle to park on the premises but the sticker does not guarantee a specific parking spot, in a specific area.

It is our policy that thirty (30) days written notice is required if you wish to cancel underground parking or additional outdoor parking.

Street parking is also available within the City of Kitchener or City of Waterloo Parking Regulations, as applicable. Further information can be obtained by contacting the City of Kitchener or City of Waterloo.

Noise

What types of sound is expected within a residential apartment unit? Commonly heard sounds in an apartment complex include normal households sounds such as water running, occasional scraping of a chair, footsteps, people speaking as they walk down a hallway. In fact, the hallway is often the nosiest place in a building as each doorway emits some household sounds into the common hallway such as television, radio, crying child, water running, etc. Most sounds are short in duration and are similar in nature to what you are emitting.

Shouting at others, including adults, children and pets can often be heard from one unit to the next and we ask that you keep shouting to a minimum. The same concern is with running. Running in a unit or hallway can be heard and must be controlled at all times, lest it disturbs others.

What constitutes NOISE? Noise is considered sound that is unusual or louder than is acceptable that disturbs others. A radio or television with a volume above the level that people can easily speak over will disturb others. In addition, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the building is quieter than during other times of the day and noise can travel easily. During this time, we ask that all non-essential noise is kept to a minimum.

When to File a Noise Complaint:

Noise can be dealt with in 2 manners:

1. Quick Action. If you believe the noise is excessive and needs to be dealt with in a timely manner the course of action is to contact the Bylaw office for your city or the local Police as only they have the jurisdiction for noise.

2. Follow up Action. If a noise occurrence takes place, please advise Stamm Investments Limited and also advise if the Police or Bylaw were called. Stamm Investments Limited will follow up with the resident in question as appropriate.

General Complaints The purpose of a complaint is to find a satisfactory solution to an issue or concern. As such, anonymous complaints will not be reviewed, nor will complaints of a malicious nature. Please be aware that all complaints will be reviewed at the Property Office level and using the website in no way circumvents the obligation to resolving issues and concerns at the Property.

If you wish to file a complaint, please download and fill out our Complaint Form or drop off a written letter to the Property Office.

Fire Safety

Do you know the danger signs? What can start a fire in your home? You’d be surprised at how the little things matter when it comes to Fire Safety.

Do you have octopi in your home?
Electrically speaking an octopus is an extension chord or similar device that allows for multiple electronic devices to be plugged in. How about a power bar with multiple high load electronic equipment pieces plugged in at the same time. It is recommended to purchase quality extension cords and power bars from reputable retailers.

Do breakers or fuses pop when using a number of electrical devices at once? If so, you may be creating conditions ripe for combustion.

The Dangers of Extension Cords
o Extension cords are a common cause of electrical fires. That is why you must be careful to use only extension cords that are rated for the power used by the device they are powering.
o Extension cords must never be run inside walls or under rugs or furniture. They can be damaged by traffic or heavy furniture and start arcing, which can lead to a fire.
o Extension cords can get warm during use and must be able to dissipate this heat or they can start a fire.

Signs of an Electrical Problem

o Flickering lights : If the lights dim every time you turn on an appliance it means that the circuit is overloaded or has a loose connection.
o Sparks : If sparks appear when you insert or remove a plug, it could be a sign of loose connections.
o Warm electrical cord : If an electrical cord is warm to the touch, the cord is underrated or defective.
o Frequent blown fuses or broken circuits : A fuse that continues to blow or circuit breaker that keeps tripping is an important warning sign of problems.
o Frequent bulb burnout : A light bulb that burns out frequently is a sign that the bulb is too high in wattage for the fixture.

Excerpt from: Fire Prevention Canada: http://www.fiprecan.ca/index.php?section=0

Candles – Another Fire Danger
One of the major causes of home fires, especially during the winter and Christmas holidays Candles provide great warmth and ambiance to any home. It is easy to forget that such a calming artifact is an open flame that can reach 1,400 °C. Most candle fires begin in the bedroom, with a mattress or bedding cited as the first item to ignite, except during the holidays, when more people use candles precariously too close to decorations. Furniture and plastics are also cited as the first items in the home to catch fire from a lit candle.

Statistics reveal that the most common causes of fire are:

o Leaving candles unattended.
o Falling asleep while a candle is lit.
o Using candles for light.
o Candles located too close to burnable objects.
o Candles knocked over by children, pets or sudden drafts.

Safety Tips

o Extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
o Keep lit candles away from items that can catch fire such as toys, clothing, books, curtains, Christmas trees and paper decorations.
o Place candles in sturdy, burn-resistant containers that won’t tip over and are big enough to collect dripping wax.
o Don’t place lit candles near windows, where blinds or curtains may close or blow over them.
o Don’t use candles in high traffic areas where children or pets could knock them over.
o Never let candles burn out completely. Extinguish them when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material.
o Never leave children or pets alone in a room with lit candles.
o Do not allow older children to light candles in their bedrooms. A forgotten candle or an accident is all it takes to start a fire.
o During power outages, exercise caution when using candles as a light source. Many destructive fires start when potential fire hazards go unnoticed in the dark.
o Never use a candle for light when fuelling equipment such as a camp fuel heater or lantern.
o Keep candle wicks short at all times. Trim the wick to one-quarter inch (6.4 mm).
o Be wary of buying novelty candles. Avoid candles surrounded by flammable paint, paper, dried flowers, or breakable/meltable containers.
o Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they burn to within two inches of the holder, and container candles before the last half-inch of wax begins to melt.
o When buying or using novelty candles, try to determine if they pose a potential fire hazard (if they contain a combustible component for instance). If they do, or if you suspect that they might, inform your local fire department.
o Use extreme caution when carrying a lit candle, holding it well away from your clothes and any combustibles that may be along your path.

Cooking oil and grease fires are a major cause of residential fires in Canada Kitchen fires due to cooking oil or grease igniting into flames cause the fastest-spreading and most destructive type of residential fire. When cooking with grease or oil, it is extremely important that you plan ahead so that you will know how to react fast to fire.

Here are some tips:

Deep Frying

o The safest way to deep fry foods such as chicken or fries is to use a thermostatically-controlled electric skillet or a deep fat fryer.

Pan Frying

o Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet handy in case grease or oil catches fire. The lid or cookie sheet should be slid over the top of the pan to smother the fire.
o Never attempt to move a flaming pot or pan away from the stove. The movement can fan the flames and so spread the fire. The pan will also likely be very hot, causing you to drop it. In either case, you are placing yourself at great risk. Your immediate action should be to smother the fire by sliding a lid or flat cookie sheet over the pan. Afterwards, turn off the heat and turn on the exhaust the fan, allowing the pan time to cool. Most importantly, react fast, because grease fires spread very quickly.

Oven Cooking

o Keep your oven clean. Grease and food splatters can ignite at high temperatures.
o Ensure that you wear oven mitts when removing cooking containers to avoid serious burns.
o Follow the cooking instructions for the recipe and the product you are using.
o Broiling is a popular method of cooking. When you use your broiler, place the rack 5 to 8 cm (two to three inches) from the broiler element. Always place a drip pan beneath the broiler rack to catch the fat drippings. Never use aluminum foil for this purpose because the fat accumulated on the foil could catch fire or spill over.

Microwave Cooking

Microwave ovens are a marvelous time-saving tool, but there are three characteristics of microwave cooking you should be aware of:

o The heat is reflected by the metal interior.
o Heat can pass through glass, plastic and other materials.
o Heat is absorbed by the food.
o Foods, like those high in fat or sugar, can heat very rapidly but feel cool to the touch. Pastry fillings can be very hot, but the crust cooler. Milk in baby bottles could be boiling, but the bottle itself not very hot to the touch. Use caution at all times.

Do not use tin foil or any other metal objects in the microwave. If a fire occurs, keep the door closed and unplug the unit. Call a qualified maintenance technician to ensure the microwave is in proper working order before using it again.

Tenant Insurance

If a fire starts in your unit or an aquarium leaks, etc. as a result of your actions and/or malfunction of your equipment and/or furnishings, you are responsible for any and all damages caused. This may include other units affected and the damage to the unit itself.

If you have Insurance:
A fire or other disaster is a tragedy and you may have lost some possessions or lost everything. Fortunately for you, you have a good insurance policy and your insurer comes out the very next day, puts you up in a hotel room, covers your living expenses until you can find another place to live, and provides you with funds to purchase replacement belongings. If the neighbours below, above, or around you suffered damage, they too have a right to be compensated. If you have insurance, you may be covered. The disaster may be a terrible inconvenience but you’ve got it covered.

If you don’t have Insurance:
A fire or other disaster is a tragedy and you may have lost some possessions or lost everything. The Red Cross came out and helped you with a place to stay for 2 nights, a toothbrush, and some other personal items but you’re not sure where you’re going to go after that. You don’t have any extra money saved and now have no furniture, no clothing, no pots and pans – nothing. It will take forever to recover. Now the neighbour below is suing you for the damage to their possessions. Worse yet, it will take a few days to get back on your feet and since you’re missing work you won’t get paid and you’re bills will get behind. It looks like you might have to declare bankruptcy.

What About the Property’s Insurance?

Insurance is carried on the property and it covers Stamm only. Our insurance does not cover resident belongings regardless of who is at fault.

Who Should Have Insurance?

Insurance is highly recommended for all residents in order to ensure that their belongings are covered in case of an event, but also to cover any damage that may be done to the building and/or other units.

Further, insurance is your best option in order to recover quickly and have immediate needs met after a significant event occurs.

Where Can I Obtain Further Information?

Stamm Investments Limited does not endorse a particular insurance company. Most insurance companies should be able to assist you with residential tenancy insurance. This insurance is usually reasonably priced an is your best resource in case of an emergency situation.

RTA: Residential Tenancies Act

The Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 (RTA) became law January 31, 2007, replacing the Tenant Protection Act, 1997 (TPA).

As a reputable Landlord within the K-W Community, Stamm Investments Limited is committed to upholding Tenant's rights and the proper implementation of a Landlord's rights and obligations, as stated in the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act (“RTA”).

All Tenants are encouraged to access the RTA to ensure that they know and understand their rights and obligations under the law. Tenants are also encouraged to refer to their lease package for further information.

Click here to read the Residential Tenancies Act (2006).