What's Covered in This Guide?
This guide is intended to highlight some of the day-to-day maintenance requirements of your suite to keep it in good working condition.

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Dishwasher
Clean your dishwasher filter monthly. This can be located on the bottom of the interior of the dishwasher, just over the drain. It can be removed with a slight twist and pull.  A clean filter will keep odours away and your dishes clean.
Your dishwasher should use only the recommended dishwasher soap for best results and to maximize equipment life.

Refrigerator
Your combination fridge/freezer will need to be cleaned and defrosted once a year. You will need to pull it away from the wall and unplug it from the electrical source. Plan to have a cooler ready to store your food when you clean and defrost.
- The lightbulb in your fridge may burn out and require changing. Simply unscrew the bulb and replace it with a new one. Avoid having food or containers touch the bulb as this will help prolong its life span. The racks and shelving inside your fridge are adjustable and you may want to move them around accordingly. The racks are tight fit for safety but are removable with gentle force.

Stove, Oven & Cooktop
Your stove and cooktop will need to be cleaned as required. An unclean cooktop can result in smoke or fire as food residue heats up. Ensure your range vent is on while cooking.
- Your cooktop may be cleaned with a specialized cleaner intended for a cooktop surface, or a combination of hot soapy water and white vinegar. When using the self-clean function on your oven, the door will lock while the cycle is running and will unlock when complete. Note that any left behind food residue will need to be wiped out. Do not leave your oven unattended while the self-clean function is running.

Washing Machine:
- Your washing machine is connected to drain lines, as well as hot and cold-water lines. It is heavy and awkward to move, so it's recommended you do not try to move it.
- The soap tray is removable and will need to be cleaned out as required. It will either have tabs on the side to release, or gently lift out of place.ts

Dryer:
Your furnace requires the filter be changed every 3-4 months for the best air quality. Upon moving into your suite, a new air filter will be placed in your furnace for you. The fresh air intake pipe on the exterior wall must never be blocked. In the winter, please ensure the pipe is clear of obstruction. If buried by snow, be sure to clear it as soon as possible.
Your dryer is connected to a ventilation pipe that exhausts hot air outside. Both the washer and dryer should not be moved unless necessary. Remember to change your dryer lint filter after every use to avoid a potential fire. 

Thermostat:
- Submit one-time payments in three easy steps with various payment methods.
- Set up monthly automatic payments to help you avoid late fees.
- Share rent, utility, and other costs with roommates using monthly automatic payments

Furnace:
Your furnace requires the filter be changed every 3-4 months for the best air quality. Upon moving into your suite, a new air filter will be placed in your furnace for you.
The fresh air intake pipe on the exterior wall must never be blocked. In the winter, please ensure the pipe is clear of obstruction. If buried by snow, be sure to clear it as soon as possible.

Heat Recovery Ventilator:
Your Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is a necessary part of your homes air quality. The HRV recovers the heat that you’ve paid for and puts that heat back into the heating system while exhausting the cooled, stale air.
To keep the HRV functioning at it’s best while keeping energy costs low, you will need to open the HRV door and remove the filter for regular cleaning. The HRV will turn off automatically when the door is opened, and the filter is removed.

Water Meter:
In your Townhome, your water meter is in the basement and will require a quarterly reading. There are two numbers on your meter. A meter number, identifying your meter specifically, and a usage reading. This is submitted to either the city or the RM.

Smoke Detector:
Your smoke detectors are located in the bedroom’s, hallways and common space in your home. These are life safety devices and must always be maintained in good working order. Most of the time, it is a simple battery replacement that is necessary. The smoke detector will alert you when the battery needs to be changed by beeping repeatedly to get your attention.
- The battery can be accessed by removing the detector off the wall. Remove the small plastic locking pins on each side. With the pins loose, you can twist the detector to open it. The battery replacement will require a 9V battery.

Garage Door Opener:
- Your garage door opener is operated by a fob or remote control and will open, close and pause the garage door.  The light bulb in the garage will need to be replaced as required. The light will turn on when the garage door is activated and automatically turn off after a few minutes.
Operation is easily limited to open, close or stop. If the sensor detects an object under the door while in operation, the safety feature will automatically send the door up into the open position.

Extraction Fan:
Your extraction fan is over the stove and will help to ventilate your suite while you cook. There is a light bulb that will need to be changed as required. Simply twist the bulb and remove.
There is a filter on your extraction fan that will also need to be cleaned as required. Simply snap it in or out of place and wash with hot soapy water.

Window Coverings:
- Window coverings are included with your suite and are operated either by draw string or direct pull down/push up.
- Your garden or balcony door has a venetian blind between the panels of glass. This is controlled by a magnetic handle that slides up and down at the side of the glass. Use caution when operating this slider and make sure to not go too fast as it can fall off of the track.

Vinyl Plank Flooring:
- DO: Sweep your vinyl plank flooring regularly and wash with a cup of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar in a gallon of hot water for best results. Mop your floors in the direction of the plank floor and not across it.
- DON’T: Use detergents, abrasive cleaners or “mop and shine” products as these can leave a dull film on the floors. Do not use paste or wax solvent-based polishes. Do not use ammonia-based cleaning solutions on vinyl floors as they can break down the material and cause cracking.

Lighting
- Changing light bulbs is a standard and most common task for any home. Gently twist and remove the bulb to change as required. It is recommended to wear gloves while changing the bulbs.
- Lighting fixed in place such as a ceiling pot light are LED and Forthright Properties will send an electrician to your home to change this bulb. Please contact our offices during business hours to make arrangements.

Baseboard Heaters:
- Your electric heat is produced by a baseboard unit and is controlled by the thermostat.
- Please keep all furniture a minimum of 6 inches away from the heaters as keeping furniture too close to a heater is a fire risk. Do not leave your oven unattended while the self-clean function is running.
Most baseboard heaters are placed under windows. A heater blocked by the furniture will make the window above overly warm and may lead to water condensation on the glass and stained paint from water drips.
Leave your baseboard heater vent open and clear of furniture for best heat performance and heat management.

Water Control: How to use the water shut off valve
- The kitchen and bathroom sink, the toilet, the hot water tank and the water meter all have water shut off valves in case of plumbing accidents.
- For the kitchen and bathroom sink you will find 2 handles or knobs inside the sink cabinet that controls both hot and cold water flow. Turn handle or knob 90゚gently and do not pull towards you while turning. This shuts off the water to your taps. The handle or knob only terms in one direction.
For the toilet you will find a single handle knob controlling cold water flow directly behind the toilet about 8" from the floor. This operates the same as above.
For the hot water tank you will find 2 handles or knobs either on top of the tank or on the pipes leading into the tank. This operate same as above.
For the water meter this is your main shut off that turns off all water into your home this operates same as above.
Your shower shut off valve will be controlled in conjunction with the hot water tank.
Do this only if you have water coming into your home from the leaking pipe or broken tap. Contact Forthright Properties immediately in the event of leaks for floods.

Electrical Control: Electrical panel & breakers
- Your electrical panel will be in the laundry room or basement. You are not expected to operate this panel. Inside your electrical panel are the breakers and switches that distribute power your home. The panel is labeled telling you which breaker controls which part of your home.
- If you experience an electrical short, flickering light fixtures or odd buzzing from an appliance, you are allowed to open the panel door to locate the breaker switch for the light fixture or appliance and turn it off. Contact Forthright Properties immediately.

Extraction Fan:
- The extraction fan in your bathroom will accumulate dust and body oils drawn from the surrounding air. Areas where humidity is high, such as the bathroom, will accumulate this dirt faster than anywhere else in the home. It is important to clean this regularly as required.
- The vent cover can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a cloth or a vacuum attachment with a soft bristle head.

Winter Yard Care: The furnace fresh air intake pipe must always remain clear & never blocked
- Shoveling and snow removal is a must for any Manitoba home. Please ensure that you own a good shovel. Forthright properties does not shovel out your home or driveway.
- While shoveling please ensure your furnace fresh air intake remains clear of snow for best indoor air quality.

Summer Yard Care: Mowing, weeding, flowers, & yard maintenance
- Beautification and yard maintenance are wonderful. Forthright properties requires you to mow your lawn and control your weeds. Flowers are not required but you and your neighbors will appreciate them.
- Propane barbecues are permitted only in apartments with balconies.

How to Submit a Maitenance Repair Request:

Step 1: Get Setup on RentCafe Resident Portal
In order to submit any maintenance requests through Rentcafe resident portal, you will need to have an account created on RentCafe.
- You can create an account through internet on phone or computer or by downloading RentCafe resident app on iPhone or Android.

Step 2: Submit a Maitenance Request from RentCafe Resident Portal
- Log into your RentCafe account
Click the “Maintenance Request” tab.
Fill out the maintenance request form & press submit once finished.

Friendly Reminders:
- The extraction fan in your bathroom will accumulate dust and body oils drawn from the surrounding air. Areas where humidity is high, such as the bathroom, will accumulate this dirt faster than anywhere else in the home. It is important to clean this regularly as required.
When granting permission to enter on request, means you give us permission to enter anytime 9-5 Monday to Friday. 

24/7 Emgergency Helpline For emergencies such as loss of heat, flood, fire, or lockout please call our office line at 204-222-8582 to reach our 24 hour on-call service.

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