Kitchen Area

Clean range/oven often to prevent a grease buildup.

Defrost and clean the refrigerator whenever ice builds up to more than one-fourth inch around the freezing unit and vacuum dust from the back of the refrigerator periodically. Excessive frost/ice buildup reduces the efficiency of the refrigerator, causing it to run for longer periods of time. When defrosting and cleaning the refrigerator, do not use hard, sharp-pointed objects to force the ice/frost from the freezer compartment. It's easy to puncture the coils circulating the refrigerant and it's expensive and difficult-often impossible-to repair them. Repaired coils have greatly reduced life expectancy. Tenants are responsible for refrigerators they damage by puncture and will be charged the full replacement cost.

Disconnect and clean the exhaust fan at least once a month, including the outside vent pipe, but do not immerse the fan and motor in water. Report any difficulties to University Villages Office.

If the kitchen faucet drips move the lever lightly and rapidly forward and backward and side to side a few times to clear sediment from the valves. If the faucet still drips, a piece of foreign matter may be lodged in the valve seat. Do not force the lever. Report the need for repair to the University Villages Office.

Do not pour cooking oil, wax, grease or drain cleaners into any drains. Occasionally, turn on the hot water tap (at full force) and let a few gallons of hot water flow through the drains. This will help clean the drains, particularly if done after washing dishes (or bathing).

Bathroom Area

Take out the basin drain insert regularly to remove accumulations of hair and soap scum.

Craighead/Sisson and Elliott Village: If the toilet begins to overflow, carefully remove the tank lid and gently push the small rubber (2 1/4 inch) tank bulb down over the outlet hole in the bottom-center of the tank. Wait several minutes for the water level in the toilet bowl to lower. Flush the toilet again. If the obstruction does not pass through, follow the first portion of the above procedure and call the University Villages Office, 243-6030.

Please do not use chlorine tablets in the toilet as these tables cause damage to the flapper inside  Damage caused by these tablets will be billed to the tenant.  ALSO, please do not use Drano or Liquid Plumber in any drains.  Just call our office, 243-6030, and our plumbing staff will come and repair the drain.

Walls and Woodwork

You may wash walls with a mild solution of soap or detergent. 

You may drive small nails (1 ½ inch or less in length) into the inside walls for mounting pictures. Ductwork in the ceilings of K. Ross Toole apartments preclude any installation of brackets and hooks. 

Do not drive nails into the outside (window) walls because these walls chip easily.

Do not use "Molly bolt" anchors or glue-tab or adhesive backed picture hangers, coat hooks, shelf brackets and the like.

Do not hang heavy objects on the walls.

Counter Tops

Countertop materials are not heat resistant, so please treat them carefully. Should you burn or damage the counter top, we will charge you for the full replacement cost. 

Windows/Combination Storm and Screen Door

Keep doors latched to prevent damage by wind and report doors that do not latch properly to the housing office. Store glass and screen inserts in the rack located in the closet next to the bathroom. You will be charged for broken or damaged window and screens. 

Storage on Walkways next to Apartment Doors

Do not store household items, boxes or personal belongings such as garbage cans, buckets, brooms, mops, building materials, furniture and clothes racks on the walkways or sidewalks.  Due to Fire Safety codes we need to keep the walkways clear at all times. 

Grounds

The University Villages Office maintains the grounds. However, we expect you to keep the area around your apartment clean and free of trash. You also are responsible to make certain your children do not dig in the lawns or climb on trees and shrubs.

We can not have children using roller-skates, roller-blades, ride skateboards, tricycles, bicycles or wagons on the second and third floor landings and walkways of the Craighead/Sisson apartments.

Please do not hang clothes, rugs, etc., from second and third floor landings. Please shake dust mops and rugs at the end of the apartment wing not over the railings.

We ask that you not swing golf clubs on the grassed areas or play baseball around the apartments. You can use the large open grass area along Cinnabar Drive for such activities.

During winter months, residents are asked to keep the small immediate walkways on both sides of your apartment clear of ice and snow. Our grounds crew will clear the main common sidewalks that meet these smaller walkways. Snow shovels can be checked out at the Office.

No sledding or tobogganing is permitted on University Villages property. You can use the golf course area for such activities after it has officially closed for the season.

The use of sidewalk chalk is prohibited on the walls of buildings. Tenants responsible will be charges for repainting of the damaged walls. 

Cold Weather Precautions

During cold windy weather do not open windows more than a slight crack. During the night, please keep the thermostat at 70 degrees and keep the bedroom and bathroom doors open slightly. Heating system lines are located below windows and can freeze quickly, especially in closed rooms.

If you plan to leave town during vacations, set the thermostat at 70 degrees and notify the University Villages Office, so we can check the apartment in case of extremely cold weather. Be sure to close all windows tightly.

Laundry Area (Craighead/Sisson and K. Ross Toole Villages)

The washing machine drain hose should be secured tightly to the drainpipe.

Turn off the water supply lines at the valve after using the washing machine.

Disconnect clothes dryers periodically to clean and vacuum out lint and dust.

Repair leaks in your own equipment promptly.

You will be held responsible for damage to University or other tenants property.

Storage Room (Craighead/Sisson residents only)

You may store suitcases, trunks, portable car racks or a limited number of full boxes if tied securely and labeled, and seasonal items like sleds, skis and/or tires in the storage room.

Please tag and mark all of your stored items with your name address and the date. We do not assume liability for items left in storage. You store items at your own risk and should check your insurance for coverage.

Arrange admittance into the storage room for Craighead/Sisson apartments at the University Villages Office or with your Community Assistant.

Furnace Room
Please do not use the furnace room for storage at any time. Keep it clean and free of boxes and refuse. We check the heating facilities periodically and schedule an annual maintenance program for all furnaces. If you detect gas fumes at any time, immediately open the windows, leave the apartment and call Northwestern Energy at 1-888-467-2669. Please also contact the University Villages Office at 243-6030.

Heating System
Vacuum the heat vents as often as necessary to keep them free of lint and dust.

Heating System (Elliott and K. Ross Toole Villages)
Vacuum all vent grills regularly, particularly the cold air return grills. Accumulations of dust drawn through the return ducts clog the furnace filters and reduce efficiency.

Attic and Crawl Spaces (Elliott and K. Ross Toole Villages)
Only University Villages personnel may use the trap doors leading to attics (second floor) or crawl spaces. Please do not use these areas for storage. You will be billed for damages if the seal is broken.

Carpets (Elliott and K. Ross Toole Villages)
Vacuum the carpets at least once a week. Remove dirt, crumbs and spills as quickly as possible. You may check out a vacuum for $1.00/24 hour period at the University Villages Office.

Most spots and stains come out with warm water and detergent if sponged or scrubbed immediately. Be sure to remove all the spilled material and detergent. If you cannot remove the stain call the University Villages Office.

Shift heavy furniture from time to time to prevent crushing the rug pile, and rearrange the furniture periodically to revert traffic patterns in the carpet.

If, upon vacating your apartment, we discover your carpet has not been properly cared for, you will be charged for special cleaning or replacement.

All improvements and maintenance are provided through the rental charge. Your cooperation and aid in keeping the buildings and grounds in good condition will help keep these maintenance costs down.

Failure of The University of Montana, University Villages Office to enforce any of these terms shall not be construed as a waiver of terms. They shall remain in full force and effect. The University Villages Office reserves the right to develop other rules and regulations as necessary for the safety, care and cleanliness of the premises and for the security, comfort and convenience of all occupants.