"I'm a tenant"

• Is it gas or electricity?

• Have you arranged for the connection of your gas or electricity?

• If it is a gas hot water system is the gas turned on to flow through the gas hot water system?

• Have you checked to see if your pilot light has gone out? Some gas hot water systems can be easily relit, while others may require a tradesperson

• If it is electrical, please ensure the hot water cylinder is switched ON at the power point and that the plug is plugged in

• Check the fuse box and ensure the hot water fuse is switched ON

• Check that the tap that allows the water to flow into the hot water cylinder is turned on. Make sure the tap is turned anticlockwise for ON

• Check the cut-out switch in the meter box

• Check that the switch inside the cupboard, where the hot water cylinder is ON

• Check the water flow from the road into the house. This tap should be turned anti clockwise to make sure it is fully open. The tap is usually in a blue lidded box found at the front of the property.

• Check the isolating tap that is often positioned under a metal plate in the wall of the garage. This does not relate to all properties.

• Have you contacted your electricity supplier? There may be a fault in the street. Click Here to check for outages in your area.

• Check with your neighbour as to whether they have any power.

• Check your fuse box. There may have been an overload and the safety switch has been activated and needs re-setting - tenant responsibility.

• Check that one of your appliances is not faulty by unplugging all of your appliances in the house and plugging them back in one at a time. This tip also can be used if your power is tripping. Also check lights and power points in your house.

When smoke alarms start beeping, sometimes if not smoke or fire, it can be as simple as a low battery. Check for smoke first.

• Check your fuse box. If there has been an overload, the safety switch may need re-setting.

• Does a light bulb need replacing?

Check to see if the safety switch on the wall is turned on and also check the fuse. If your stove has an element that can be removed, as opposed to glass top elements, check that all elements are working and the connectors are not loose or dirty. Sometimes pulling the elements out, cleaning them and putting them back in again may fix the problem.

The most common problem in properties is leaking from wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. A regular check for water leaks is advisable. If the carpet or floor is wet, sponge and dry the area thoroughly and check again after use. Advise our office if it is still a problem.

• Try the following before contacting us:

• Sinks - Put the plug in and fill the sink with water. Use hot water if you think it may be blocked with fat or oil, then pull out the plug. The sheer volume of the water may clear the blockage. If this does not work, try filling the sink with dishwashing powder and boiling hot water, and then pull the plug.

• Showers: Remove hair from the shower outlet. This is a common problem with blocked showers. In most modern homes the outlet can be unscrewed and hair can be easily removed.

• Other Options: Plunge or Plunger - this should clear easy blockages. Drano (available from most supermarkets) should dissolve most fats and may clear blockages.

• Blocked Waste Disposal: Usually from the wrong things put down it. Never put teabags, onion skins, pumpkin seeds, or banana peel into a waste disposal. Remove any solid articles such as cutlery dropped down. Once the outlet is unblocked, find the reset switch located underneath or on the side of the waste unit under the sink. Just push this and the waste disposal should start.

• Please ensure correct connections from the super tub to your own washing machine are done prior to using the machine. The first few times that you use the washing machine, please leave the super tub door open, to check whilst the washing machine is running that the hoses are not leaking.

• If they are leaking, unscrew the hoses and re-screw again. If this fails, please do not use your machine until we have had a plumber attend to replace the thread or washers on the super tub side (which is the owner’s responsibility).

• If your washing machine hoses are leaking, please note that you will need to attend to the repair of your washing machine hose at your own cost.

• This can be caused by any of the following:

• Nails lifted, loosening the iron sheets - which they can do over time.

• Rusted out iron flashing.

• Broken or cracked tiles.

• NOTE: Rain can get into any of these areas and move across ceiling beams and leak into another area of the ceiling. So it can be difficult even for a plumber to get to the problem straight away.

To clean a glass shower door, sponge with white vinegar. If you apply silicone car polish every few months to your glass shower, and the last person each morning gives it a quick wipe over with a window cleaning squeegee, it will always be sparkling clean.

1. Stay safe before you start

• Ensure your hands are dry, stand on a dry floor, and use a torch/phone light if it's dark.

• Switch off or unplug major appliances (especially those on the affected circuit) — this reduces risk of overload when power returns.

2. Locate the fuse box / switchboard

• Find the main switchboard — often in a laundry/meter-cupboard/utility closet or wardrobe space, typically 1.5–2 m high.

• Open the panel door carefully.

3. Identify tripped breakers

• Look for any breaker switches that are neither fully “ON” nor “OFF” — i.e. sitting in a middle or neutral position. That indicates a trip.

4. Reset the breaker

• First switch the breaker fully to “OFF”, then flip it back to “ON”. Wait a few seconds to see if power returns.

• If the breaker immediately trips again, do not attempt further — switch it off again, unplug appliances on that circuit, and avoid further use until checked.

5. Test affected appliances / circuits one by one

• After resetting the breaker, plug in / switch on appliances one at a time. If one particular appliance causes the breaker to trip again, avoid using it and inform the property manager / landlord.

6. When to contact the property manager or an electrician

• If the breaker keeps tripping even after appliances are unplugged.

• If there’s visible damage to switches/outlets, or signs of burning, burning smell, or overheating of switches.

• If resetting doesn’t restore power, or if power loss affects multiple circuits — may indicate wiring or safety device issues.

7. Preventive Tips

• Avoid plugging too many high-power appliances into the same circuit — spread out heavy loads.

• Regularly test any Safety Switch / RCD if installed (per the standard safety guidelines).

• Report any flickering, repeated tripping, warm sockets or unusual smells promptly.

1. Turn off power first

• Always switch off the disposal at the wall switch or fuse box before doing anything.

• Ensure water is off, and wait a few minutes before touching the unit.

2. Check the reset button / circuit breaker

• Look under the disposal — many units have a small red reset button on the base. If the unit overheated or tripped, pressing this button may restore power.

• If that doesn’t work, check your home’s main fuse box or circuit breaker for a tripped switch.

3. Free a jammed grinder

• Use the special hex/Allen wrench that came with the disposal (or a standard 1/4″ Allen wrench) — insert it into the hole at the bottom of the unit, and gently turn it back and forth. This will often free a stuck flywheel or impeller.

• If no wrench is available, carefully use a wooden spoon or dowel to manually turn the blades from above (with power off!).

• Once freed, restore power and run cold water through while operating disposal to flush any debris.

4. Remove foreign objects safely

• If you see something stuck (e.g. bone, spoon, glass shard), use tongs or pliers — never put your hand inside.

• After removal, run cold water and test the disposal.

5. If the disposal hums but doesn’t grind — or makes weird noises / leaks

• Humming usually means a jammed impeller or overloaded motor. Try steps above.

• Persistent unusual noise or leaks — the unit or its seals may be damaged. In that case, contact your property manager to get a qualified plumber.

6. Prevent future issues — good habits

• Always run a steady stream of cold water before, during, and after using the disposal. This helps flush waste properly.

• Avoid putting grease, oil, fibrous foods (e.g. celery, corn husks), bones, fruit pits, shells, or large hard items — these easily jam or damage the unit.

• Regularly clean the disposal (e.g. by grinding ice-cubes + a bit of dish soap) to clear build-up — this helps keep blades sharp and reduces odour.
  

What to do if you can't fix it?

• If after following the steps above your disposal still doesn’t work properly (won’t reset, leaks, or makes persistent noise), contact your property manager first. Continuing to run a compromised disposal risks serious damage, leaks, or safety hazards.

1. Check power and opener status

• Make sure the garage door opener is plugged in and the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.

• Look at the opener’s indicator light (if present). If it’s off, the opener may have no power — check the fuse, plug, and breaker.

2. Ensure door is unlocked

• If your garage door has a wall-mounted “Lock” or “Vacation” button, make sure it is not engaged (turn off/unlock).

• For roller or sectional doors: check if any manual locks (slide-bolt or barrel lock) are engaged — even a half-locked position may prevent the door from opening.

3. Test remote, wall switch, or keypad

• If using a remote or keypad, try replacing the batteries — weak or dead batteries are a common cause for failure.

• If the wall-mounted switch still doesn’t open the door but remote doesn’t work, the issue likely lies with the opener or wiring rather than the remote.

4. Check safety sensors and obstructions

• Most automatic garage doors have safety “photo-eyes” near the floor. If their view is blocked (e.g. by boxes, dust, leaves), the door won’t close or open. Clear any obstruction, clean the lenses, and realign them if needed.

• After cleaning/alignment, test the door again using the wall button.

5. Use the manual-release to operate the door manually

• In case of power outage or opener failure: locate the red manual-release cord hanging from the opener rail. Pull it firmly down until you hear a “click” — this disengages the door from the motor.

• Walk to the door and manually lift or lower the door with both hands. Be cautious — doors can be heavy.

• Once power is restored, manually re-engage the opener by pulling the cord (often upward or back; check your opener’s manual).

6. When to call maintenance or a professional Contact your property manager or a qualified technician if:

• The opener has power, but the motor hums without moving the door

• The door moves unevenly, sticks, or is noisy — could indicate mechanical issues (springs, rollers, cables).

• Safety sensors or mechanical components are damaged, misaligned, or broken — do not force the door.

7. Preventive care (for smooth future use)

• Keep the sensor lenses clean and free from dust or debris.

• Avoid overloading circuits with too many high-power appliances on the same power line.

• Familiarize all tenants with the location and operation of the manual-release cord so you can still access the garage during power outages.