Tips for Unit Owners

 

• Charges through work orders are based on the number of staff members required to perform the work.
• The hourly rate per staff member is $35/hour (charged beginning minute 1through 60). An additional $35 is billed beginning at minute 61.
• Staff members cannot dedicate an entire day to work inside a unit; they have other responsibilities in the common areas.
• If the removal of furniture and planters from the balcony is during a hurricane watch, the charge is $200.
• For bigger/longer jobs, staff members can be hired directly after hours. This should be arranged between the shareholder and the staff member. The Association doesn’t get involved in after-hour contracts.

Scope of Work
 
Chargeable

 

• Install battery operated smoke detectors
• Install Door closers
• Paint inside unit door and inside frames
• Small paint patches in the unit
• Replace bulbs (If light tubes in the kitchen, the plexiglass is shareholders’ responsibility).
• Adjust hinges in the bathroom and kitchen cabinets depending on the state of the cabinets.
• Hang a picture/mirror etc. limited quantity. (maximum 3)
• Repair a curtain rod
• Unclog a toilet
• Replace AC Air filters
• Relocate furniture
• Deliver packages to the unit

 

• Install exterior door sweeper (provided by Association)
• Paint balcony walls
• Paint balcony floor
• Replace balcony light (provided by the building)
• Paint hallside unit door and outside frames

Click here to download Printable Checklist
 

 

Why should you use this checklist? Leaving a Florida condo without taking
precautions will likely result in a significant increase in humidity in the unit. Humidity and heat can lead to mold and mildew growth on walls, furniture, and flooring. Both electronics and wood furniture could also be damaged by extreme temperatures.

• Clear your balcony of all items.
• Remove screens from windows
• Shut off main water valve(s) in the bathroom
• Shut off cold water shut-off under kitchen sink
• Turn off ice maker in refrigerator
• Turn off water heater
• Use “cover” from maintenance to protect your wall AC unit
• Use dehumidifier in unit if wall AC unit is covered
• Set central AC no warmer than 78 degrees Fahrenheit
• Hang Damp-Rid in closets to prevent mold and mildew on clothing
• Remove perishable food from refrigerator/freezer
• Seal up all grain products in plastic containers or Ziploc bags
• Cover toilet bowls and under tank lid with plastic wrap
• Put plugs in shower/tub and sink drains
• Pour a bit of water in drains before plugging
• Un-plug non-essential items such as TVs cable boxes, modems, etc
• Remove batteries from remote controls for TV, ceiling fans, etc.
• Stop your newspaper delivery
• Submit your mail forwarding card to the postal carrier
• Assign someone to check your unit once a month
• Leave the name of an emergency contact person with office
• Leave your car keys on the kitchen counter.
• Update your correct mailing address, email address and phone number in your User Profile on the CRTN website OR leave it with the office.

 

By Margie Geasler #105
(Published in The Tower News July 2019)
 
Several units in our building have had a drywood termite infestation; some infestations are small and recent (like mine in #105) and some are long-standing problems that have not been sufficiently exterminated. Drywood termites are common in the Southeastern States and Florida is prime real-estate for them. If you are a native of a northern state where the temperature falls below freezing regularly, you will have had little, if any, experience with termites. Like iguanas, they don’t survive freezing. Regard this short article as Termite tutorial 101.
 
In the spring and fall, when termites swarm, they are looking for places to set up a new nest. Therefore, one way to help prevent them setting up house in your unit is to keep screens in your windows so they can’t fly in. Once in a structure, they travel from one location to another; so, it is important to treat infestations as soon as they are noticed.
 
How do you know when you have an infestation? Look for three easy-to-spot clues:

1. Swarmers (flying termites)
2. Discarded wings around window sills and doors.
3. Tiny dark pellets that look a little like coffee grounds.

Drywood termites produce fecal pellets that they push out of their nests through tiny holes. Therefore, it is common to find these pellets on window sills, and around baseboards and door frames.
 
As far as I know, our unit does not have a history of termites (we purchased the unit in July 2016). However, my house cleaner recently found the evidence of termites.  We promptly reported this to the office and the exterminator came and treated the baseboard adjacent to this door jamb. 
 
Apparently, the termites had also set up their nest in the door jamb, so two weeks after the first treatment the door jamb was treated. The treatment worked and no further evidence has been found.
 
It is important to state that drywood termites are a fact of life in Florida and they are no one’s fault. They are actually useful in wooded natural areas as they work to decompose fallen trees and create fertile soil. Unfortunately, they don’t stay there. They travel wherever there is wood building material.
 
A building and/or a unit can have no signs of termites, yet within weeks, have a swarm or evidence that they are present. The ​ONLY​ way we can combat them is to watch for the evidence and treat the infested area. It is possible that if the infestation has not been treated (or even noticed), that the damage has become so extensive that baseboards, door jambs, cupboards or other infested areas (even furniture) have to be totally removed to get rid of the termites. That is expensive and unfortunate, but by that point there is little choice. It is in the best interest of all of us to watch for evidence and get treatment as soon as possible.
 
For Consumer Information on Drywood Termites, download this PDF from the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

1. Check for insect/animal nests in the AC.   If you’ve left your air conditioner uncovered over the winter, you’ll need to check for wasp and bees’ nests inside of the unit. They love to nest there.
2. Clean the air filter.  The air filter is easily accessible by removing the front panel. Take the filter out and clean it gently with a combination of warm water and dish soap or white vinegar. Let the filter air dry completely before reinstalling it. Filters should be cleaned once per month during the cooling season. If you have pets or allergies, consider cleaning it more frequently. If the filter is damaged, it should be replaced. If your unit has a foam filter, you can purchase replacement electrostatic filter material and cut it to fit your model perfectly.
3. Clean the air conditioner condenser coils.  Over time, dust and dirt will build up on the inside of an air conditioner’s condenser coils. This build up will make your AC work harder causing it to consume more energy and cost you more money to run. Before the start of every cooling season, clean the coils within the air conditioner. You’ll need to remove the air conditioner cabinet completely in order to access the coils. They can be cleaned by blowing compressed air at them or by using a soft bristle brush and a spray bottle of household cleaner to wipe the dirt off. Take great care in removing the dirt. If you accidentally bend or dent the aluminum coil fins, use a handy fin comb to straighten out the fins.  It is also important to remove dirt or lint build up at the bottom of the air conditioner so the condensate water will be picked up by the condensing fan blade slinger properly.
4. Clean the AC water pan.  To prevent the growth of mold and a musty odor in the air, use warm water, dish detergent or white vinegar to clean the pan at the base of the unit once or twice per cooling season. Through the wall AC units can become a nuisance to us, as well as to our neighbors. 

New To Fort Lauderdale? Tips to Get Settled In.  (Download HERE)

 

●  Driver License Services 1135 Banks Rd, Margate, FL 33063

●  Book Appointment online: https://dmvappointments.org/fl-florida/dmv-margate-florida-33063

 

• 1881 NE 26th St #95, Wilton Manors
•  https://www.browardautotags.com/
• Call or Text: 954-417-6130
• Open M to F  8:30am-7pm
• Bring:
  •  title to car
  • insurance card
  • drivers license
  • proof of home address (eg: a bill)

●  115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 111 - (first floor)

●  Call: 954-357-6830

●  https://BCPA.net/homesteadonline_with_portability/web/index.aspx

[or exemptionexpress@bcpa.net - to schedule an appointment at the Beach

Community Center with Marty Klar, Broward County Property Appraiser]

Beach City Resident Parking Pass (City of Fort Lauderdale)
○  Call 954-828-3700
○  Parkingservices@fortlauderdale.gov
○  $25.68/year
 
Download “Pay by Phone” App for parking throughout Ft Lauderdale
● www.paybyphone.com
● Provide your name, car license plate # and credit card info
 
Hugh Taylor Birch Park, 3109 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
○  $60 annual pass for individuals / $120 for families (or daily fees)
○  Bike/Walking path, Hiking trails, Picnic Areas, Kayak rentals, Youth Camps,
Guided Tours, Playground, Beach Access, Fishing, Camping,
○  Park & Ocean Restaurant
○  Call park for details: 954-564-4521
 
Conservation Program Broward County / Rebates
● For various Rebates, go to https://conservationpays.com/get-a-rebate/
 
Published in the January 10, 2022 Tower News Page 5