Resident Maintenance
Resident Maintenance and Repair Requests
If you are a current resident of a home managed by Rice Real Estate & Property Management , submit routine maintenance and repair requests through the Resident Center. Describe the problem clearly and include photos or a short video when available.
Immediate danger: If there is an immediate threat to health or safety, call 911 first. Then follow the emergency maintenance instructions.
Who Handles What
Resident and Property Management Maintenance Responsibilities
The following list explains which routine tasks residents handle and which repairs Rice Real Estate & Property Management coordinates for the homes it manages.
Air Conditioning
Resident responsibilities
- Replace the HVAC air filter each month.
- Replace thermostat batteries as needed.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Repairs to the air-conditioning equipment and its components.
Appliances
Resident responsibilities
- Replace refrigerator water filters as needed.
- Keep appliances clean and use them properly.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Repairs to owner-provided appliances that are not resident maintenance items.
Home Exterior
Resident responsibilities
- Keep the exterior, walkways, walls, first-floor gutters, fences, mailbox, and driveway clean and free from debris, mold, and mildew.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Repairs involving fences, the garage door, roofing, second-floor gutters, and the structure of the home.
Irrigation
Resident responsibilities
- Set and seasonally adjust the irrigation clock.
- Test the system weekly for leaks and proper operation.
- Adjust or replace broken sprinkler and drip heads as needed.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Repairs to the irrigation controller, electrical components, pumps, and underground pipes.
Lawn and Landscaping
Resident responsibilities
- Maintain landscaping from ground level up to a height of 8 feet, including routine mowing, weeding, and trimming.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Underground landscape repairs and work above a height of 8 feet.
Home Interior
Resident responsibilities
- Clear minor toilet and drain clogs.
- Replace light bulbs and complete regular cleaning.
- Handle minor household hardware adjustments.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Water or drainage-line breaks, plumbing leaks, plumbing fixtures and hardware, and water-heater problems.
Pest Control
Resident responsibilities
- Provide regular pest control for common pests, including ants, roaches, spiders, scorpions, beetles, and small rodents.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Large rodents, beehives, wasp nests, birds, or termites living in the home or attic.
- Common indoor pests found in the home within 30 days after move-in.
Pool, If Applicable
Resident responsibilities
- Skim the pool and empty the skimmer basket regularly.
- Remove toys and other items from the pool after use.
- Keep the pool-safety fence in place and the gate locked whenever the pool is unused and unsupervised.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Weekly pool service, including chemical balancing, general cleaning, and equipment upkeep.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Resident responsibilities
- Check the detectors and replace batteries as needed.
Rice Real Estate & Property Management handles
- Repair or replace a detector that is not working properly.
Maintenance Requests for Resident Responsibilities
Rice Real Estate & Property Management can help coordinate a service request when needed. Residents are responsible for minor maintenance items costing up to $75 when the item is assigned to the Resident under the lease. The cause of the problem, the work required, and the signed lease determine responsibility. Contact Resident Services before scheduling work if you are unsure.
Be Prepared
Recommended Maintenance Supplies to Keep at Home
Keeping basic supplies available makes routine cleaning and minor household maintenance easier to complete before small issues grow.
Interior Supplies
- HVAC air filters in the correct size
- Wall cleaner or a similar product
- Removable wall hooks or a similar product
- One gallon of matching interior paint, when supplied by Rice Real Estate & Property Management and stored in the garage
- General interior-cleaning supplies
- Batteries for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Replacement light bulbs
- Refrigerator water filters, when applicable
Exterior Supplies
- Weed-control spray
- Lawn fertilizer, when applicable
- Pest-control spray
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Cat litter for absorbing oil or fluid spills
- Oil-stain cleaner or remover
- A wire brush for scrubbing oil and fluid stains
- Krud Kutter or a similar exterior-cleaning product
Stay Ahead of Small Problems
Recommended Resident Maintenance Schedule
Routine care is easier when tasks do not pile up. Use this general schedule to keep the home clean, notice problems early, and report needed repairs.
Weekly
- Vacuum and clean the floors.
- Clean countertops, appliances, bathrooms, bathtubs, showers, and toilets.
- Mow, edge, and weed the lawn, when applicable.
- Remove landscape and exterior debris.
- Water landscaping according to the property’s approved irrigation schedule and current local watering restrictions.
- Check the irrigation system for visible leaks or broken heads.
- If the home has a pool, skim it, empty the skimmer basket, check the water level, and add water when needed.
Monthly
- Replace the HVAC air filter.
- Deep-clean appliances.
- Clean sink, shower, and bathtub drains.
- Wipe down cabinet doors.
- Clean walls in high-traffic areas.
- Complete routine pest control.
- Clean windows and screens.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Trim bushes, shrubs, and trees below 8 feet.
- Adjust the irrigation schedule for seasonal weather changes.
- Wash exterior walls and fences as needed to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and algae.
Quarterly
- Clean baseboards.
- Clean the interiors of cabinets and drawers.
- Prepare lawn areas for seasonal changes, including aerating, fertilizing, and weed control when applicable.
Remember the 8-Foot Landscaping Rule
Residents handle routine landscaping from ground level up to 8 feet. Rice Real Estate & Property Management coordinates underground repairs and work above 8 feet, including underground irrigation lines and tall-tree issues. Report anything that needs professional attention so the problem can be assessed and the proper service arranged.