Photo:  Tara Campbell

Above:  Grant-Chamberlain buildings have convenient access to Grant-Chamberlain Park and basketball courts.

Antennas (Satellite Dishes,
TV & Radio Antennas)

Attics

Carpets

Drapes and Blinds

Furnished Units

Garbage Disposals

Heaters

Light Bulbs

Lighting Instructions

Painting

Pipes

Ranges

Refrigerators

Showers

Toilets & Drains

Utilities

Walls

Photo by Jennifer Glen

External antennas may not be installed on the outside of any of the apartment buildings west of South 15th Avenue without approval of the Maintenance Supervisor. Antennas may be installed on the individual houses east of South 15th Avenue following this criteria:

* Antennas may be mounted only on the gable ends of the house. No attachments may be made on the roof.

* Antennas may not be removed when the resident vacates Family & Graduate Housing. Any permanent attachments to the house become the property of MSU.

* All antennas must receive approval from the maintenance supervisor.

* Satellite dishes are not permitted in Family & Graduate Housing without the approval of the Maintenance Supervisor. Residents will be held responsible for all damages resulting from placement of a satellite dish.

Photo: Charity Flowers

Attic doors should not be removed for any reason. They are insulated and not available for storage.

Photo: Charity Flowers

Tenants with pre-installed carpet in their units are responsible for its upkeep. Upon vacating the unit, tenants are required to professionally shampoo the carpets. They may choose to have the FGHO staff clean your carpets at a minimum cost of $20 per room. Cleaning of stains and other damage is done at an additional charge.

Drapes and Blinds

Blinds (and in some instances, drapes) are installed in most Family & Graduate Housing units. Blinds/drapes must be cleaned upon vacating.

Photo: Charity Flowers

Furniture in Family & Graduate Housing units at the time of occupancy must remain in the unit. Partial furnishings are not provided and storage is not available. Requests to have furniture removed from furnished apartments will be accommodated. Please call the Family & Graduate Housing Office with requests to have furniture removed.

Garbage Disposal

Photo: Charity Flowers

While the disposal is in operation, run cool water simultaneously. Continue to run the water for a few seconds after turning off the machine. Routine maintenance is recommended every two weeks by running a couple of trays of ice cubes through the disposal (doing so will sharpen the blades and cleanse the system). If the disposal does not work, push the RESET button located underneath it. If that does not correct the problem, please contact the FGHO to place a work order. Due to high maintenance costs, disposals will not be replaced as they wear out.

Photo: Charity Flowers

In case of an emergency, portable electric heaters may be obtained from the Family & Graduate Housing Office. Due to potential fire danger, use of heaters requiring liquid fuel is prohibited.

Light Bulbs

Photo: Charity Flowers

Tenants are responsible for replacing light bulbs as they burn out (interior lights and exterior lights above or next to their entrance door and appliance lights). They are to please be sure that all bulbs are working when vacating their apartment.

Photo: Charity Flowers

Space Heaters

1. Turn the gas valve "plastic knob" to the pointer indicating "pilot."

2. Push the knob down, keep holding it down, and with a match, light the pilot burner located either at the front or center area underneath the main burner (you can use the small access door on the lower right of the heater). If the pilot lights, keep holding the knob down for one minute, then let it up. If the pilot continues to burn, turn the knob to "on."

3. Now turn the knob numbered one through nine, (which is the thermostat), to the desired temperature.

Please do not sit on space heaters as they bend and crack under weight.

Gas Hot Water Heaters

1. 1. Remove the cover at the bottom and front of the heater.
2. Turn the gas valve "plastic knob" to the pointer indicated "pilot."
3. Push the small button by the gas valve or push down directly on the gas valve button and keep holding it down. With a match, light the pilot burner located through the access door and main burner.
4. If the pilot lights, keep holding down the knob for one minute, then let up. If the pilot continues to burn, turn the knob to "on."
5. The water temperature control is either a lever located on the side of the control box or a round dial located on the lower front of the control box. Move the control gradually and wait several hours between adjustment to get the proper water temperature.

Photo: Charity Flowers

Residents wishing to paint their apartment units should come to the Family & Graduate Housing Office to fill out a paint contract. Residents may choose from three different shades of white which are available for viewing at the FGHO. All supplies such as drop cloths, brushes, extensions, edgers, rollers, and paint are provided at the expense of the FGHO.

Spackle, if needed to fill small holes in walls, may also be obtained from the Family & Graduate Housing Office. As soon as the resident has completed painting, a post-paint inspection will be conducted by the Maintenance Supervisor.

Tenants who paint without approval of the Maintenance Supervisor will be responsible for repainting or damages resulting from use of unauthorized paint.

Photo: Charity Flowers

Pipes freeze and break if hoses are not disconnected from outside faucets from September until springtime. This applies to all houses and buildings. If resident uses a hose, they are asked to please be sure to disconnect it from the faucet after each use. This will prevent many pipes freezing and breaking. Broken and frozen pipes are very costly, and the breakage may not be detected until spring.

Ranges

Photo: Charity Flowers

Ovens (non-self cleaning) may be cleaned with a spray-on product. The entire exterior of the stove should be cleaned with soapy water. Please do not use oven cleaner on any aluminum surface. Please do not place aluminum foil under the stove-top or oven elements; the extensive heat build up can cause damage to the stove.

Refrigerators

The refrigerator should be defrosted and washed occasionally, inside and out, with soapy water. On single door refrigerators, always defrost the freezing compartment when frost is approximately 1/4 inch thick. Do not use sharp instruments to remove frost and ice. By removing ice in this manner, the interior shell of the fridge may be damaged, which typically is costly or impossible to repair. Upon check-out, please unplug the refrigerator and leave the door open.

If a toilet is plugged, first try to clear the blockage with a plunger. Plungers may be checked out at FGHO. If the problem persists, please call FGHO to place a work order. Do not use any type of chemical dispenser in the toilet tank as the tank may crack. Caustic chemicals are not recommended because they damage plumbing.

Clogged kitchen and bathroom drains are typically caused by grease and soap buildup. Residents can take care of their drains by filling the sink with hot water once a week and pulling the stopper. The hot water will pour through the pipes with enough force to clean them out. Never pour grease down the drain. Grease should be poured into a tin can and thrown into the dumpster in the parking lot.

Photo: Charity Flowers

When using the shower, keep the curtains inside the tub. Water puddles on the bathroom floor may ruin floor tiles and the ceiling below. Please do not use adhesive rubber tub grips as they are extremely difficult to remove; rather, use a removable rubber bath mat. Tenants are responsible to supply their own shower curtain.

Photo: Charity Flowers

The main water shut-off valve is located in the water heater closet about two feet above the floor just inside the door.

The electrical breaker box is located in the bedroom closet. To reset the breaker switch, push the switch hard to the extreme "off" position and then turn it to the extreme "on" position. Should the breaker switch go off again, call the FGHO at (406) 994-3730.

Jefferson, Deer, and South 15th Streets:

The water shut-off valve is located under the kitchen sink close to the bottom of the cabinet.

The electrical breaker box is located on the kitchen wall above and to the left of the range. To reset the breaker switch, push the switch hard to the extreme "off" position and then turn it to the extreme "on" position. Should the breaker switch go off again, call the FGHO at (406) 994-3730.

Please do not use tape, glue, or adhesives on drywalls (sheet rock) or paneling. Contact paper or wallpaper may also not be used on apartment walls.