[+]Security Advice
Information
Police & Security Patrols
Every night of the semester, the residential communities of the campus and their surrounding areas are being monitored by:
• University Police officers in marked and unmarked police cars (24 hours daily), motorcycles, bicycles and on foot patrols
• Surveillance cameras at more than 210 selected locations (outdoors, inside parking garages and libraries) across the campus (24 hours daily)
Escorts/N.I.T.E. Ride
Escorts by uniformed Police officers or Student Police Aides are available 24 hours any day by calling 301-405-3555.
For curb-to-curb service by N.I.T.E. Ride vans 5:30pm to 7:30am any day, just call 4-NITE (6483). Please use N.I.T.E. Ride when evening transit routes are not in service or if your pick-up location or destination is not on a evening transit route.
These services can be requested from any blue-light emergency phone; the Police dispatcher who answers your call will summon a Police escort for you or transfer you to N.I.T.E. Ride.
Program your cellular phone
From a cellular phone, University of Maryland Police can be reached at 301-405-3555. Take time now to pre-program this number into your cellular phone. If you call 911 from a cellular phone, you will reach Prince George’s County Police and you should ask to be transferred to University of Maryland Police.
After Dark, Never Walk Alone
Walk with friends or in a group or ride Shuttle-UM. Walk in well-lighted paths. Know the location of the nearest emergency phones.
Going to your car:
• Walk with a friend, then drop him/her at your apartment as you drive off
Coming back to your apartment alone:
• Call ahead to a friend who’ll meet you at his/her front door, then walk with you from the parking lot, or request an escort from Police (301-405-3555).
Evening Transit Route
Shuttle-UM fixed evening transit routes operate seven nights a week from 5:30pm to 3:00am, with buses stopping outside most residence halls, apartments, and along Fraternity Row every 15 to 35 minutes. This is your convenient and safe way to visit friends in other parts of campus and go to libraries, student union, College Park shopping district, College Park Metro station, etc.
Know what to do if approached
It is not necessary, and may not be advisable, to confront someone who has a weapon or is angry enough to inflict harm on another person. If you should come upon a situation like this, as naturally as possible, move away to your room, a friend's room, a group of people, a well-lighted area, etc. Then, call Police at 911 or x5-3555.
[+]Health Info
"Nothing is slower than a sick turtle"
[+]Mail & Packages
Mail service is provided to the Courtyards by the United States Postal Service. Each apartment is issued a communal mailbox located adjacent to the Clubhouse and each resident is issued a key at check-in to access the mailbox.
To receive mail without incident or delay, please make sure it is addressed as follows:
Resident Name
8000 Boteler Lane Apt# XXX
College Park, MD 20740
As a Courtyard’s lease holder you authorize the Courtyards to accept packages, parcels, and deliveries on your behalf. However, packages will not be accepted until a resident officially checks in. As a lease holder you agree to hold Courtyards free of liability or responsibility for packages, parcels, or deliveries should they be lost, damaged, or otherwise harmed. Furthermore, Residents understand that if packages, parcels or deliveries are not claimed within fourteen (14) days, they will either be returned to the sender or discarded as Landlord deems appropriate.
Packages are logged daily by the Courtyards staff. When a package is delivered for a resident, the resident will receive an e-mail notifying him/her of the package. Packages can be claimed Monday through Thursday 9AM-10PM, Friday 9AM-5PM, Saturday 10AM-6PM, and Sunday 10AM-10PM. A valid University I.D. is required to claim your packages.
Mail Forwarding
Upon move-out, please complete a Change of Address form in our office, in a local Post Office or online at
USPS website (There is a $1.00 service fee charged by USPS for completing the Online Change of Address process.)
The full lease rental rate is due and payable in 12 equal installments during the lease term. Each installment is due in-full on the 1st of each month without reminder.
After 5PM on the 10th of each month, a 5% late fee is applied to the account.
Rent may be paid in-person using a check or money order. If paying with a check or money order, please include the resident’s name and apartment number in the memo section. A check or money order may also be mailed to:
The Courtyards
8000 Boteler Lane
College Park, MD 20740.
One-time or recurring electronic payments may be made on the Resident Portal using a credit/debit card or a bank draft. There is an additional transaction fee for using a credit/debit cards, however, bank drafts are free of charge.
*A special note regarding Financial Aid – If a resident plans to use financial aid from the University of Maryland to fulfill his/her financial obligations with The Courtyards, all payment deadlines and late fees remain the same regardless of the Financial Aid disbursement schedule. Resident should plan ahead to make an on-time payment to The Courtyards and reimburse him/herself or the payee once the aid disbursement is complete.
[+]Parking
Each Courtyards resident is eligible to park their car in the community for free. All vehicles must be registered to the resident or the resident’s parents/guardian. Residents must obtain a parking pass prior to parking in the Courtyards and must park legally following all posted parking regulations.
Be advised: The Department of Transportation will issue tickets and/or tow inappropriately parked vehicles 24-hours a day, 7 days a week using the same enforcement guidelines as all other campus lots. All complaints and appeals regarding parking enforcement are handled by the University Of Maryland Department Of Transportation Services. Information is available online at
www.dots.umd.edu or by calling x4-PARK.
Parking Permits
All residents parking a vehicle at The Courtyards are required to display a valid Lot 8 parking permit. Permits must be obtained at check-in. The resident will be required to provide a license plate number. After a resident’s initial check-in, the resident will be required to provide proof of vehicle registration in the resident’s name or their parent/guardian name and a license plate number to obtain a permit.
Each resident may only possess one (1) Lot 8 permit. A resident checking out of the Courtyards will be required to surrender his/her permit when keys are returned.
Replacement parking permits may be obtained by visiting the Courtyards Office. A replacement fee of $213 will be charged to the resident’s account.
Visitor Parking
Visitors are welcome to park in the spaces restricted for 15-minute usage during the hours of 7:00AM and 4:00PM. These spaces are provided directly in front of the Clubhouse, and marked as 15-minute spaces. Your visitors are welcome to freely park here before or after the hours of 7:00AM and 4:00PM.
Visitors may also park in the metered spaces provided in the outermost row of parking between buildings 100 and 600, nearest building 100. Between the hours of 7:00AM and 4:00PM these spaces are enforced. Visitors are welcome to freely park in these spaces before or after these hours.
[+]Recurring Payments
If you plan to pay rent electronically, we encourage you to consider setting up a recurring payment through the Resident Portal. The recurring payment option is very easy to set-up and manage, and allows you the benefit of knowing you do not have to remember to mail or drop off a payment or to log-in and make the one-time payments.
Like one-time electronic payments, you may use a debit/credit card (transaction fees apply) or a bank draft to pay. The recurring payment option allows you to choose the payment method, payment, amount, and payment frequency. You may also edit your payment settings at anytime to change your payments or to stop using the recurring option.
[+]Bicycle Registration
Our bicycle racks are reserved for The Courtyards at University of Maryland residents only. As a resident of Courtyards, you must register your bike with the Department of Transportation Services and then register with Courtyards. Bike registration is free and you may register at any time during the year at the leasing office. You can download the registration form here. For information regarding the University of Maryland Bicycle Registration process please visit the Department of Transportation website at http://www.transportation.umd.edu/bike.html
Once you receive your permit, just snap the permit onto your bike frame, and park it at your closest bike rack. Bicycles may not be parked at trees, railings, signs, or any area other than the bicycle racks provided. All illegally parked bikes or those not registered with the Courtyards will be removed and impounded at the resident’s expense. If left unclaimed for thirty days Courtyards has the right to discard.
Bicycle Parking For Courtyards Guests:
Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM: Bicycles belonging to guests must be parked at the bike racks outside of the Courtyards Clubhouse. Guests’ bikes parked elsewhere will be removed without warning.
Monday-Friday 5PM-9AM & Weekends: Bicycles belonging to guests must be parked at the bike racks outside of the Courtyards Clubhouse or on the bike racks throughout the community. If a bike is parked overnight on a Sunday, the bike must be moved to the bike rack outside of the Courtyards Clubhouse prior to 9AM otherwise it may be removed without warning for being parked improperly.
Special Note: All motor bikes, mopeds, and/or scooters must be parked at the moped parking rack in the U-lot between CTY Buildings 100 & 200.
[+]Moped/Scooter Parking
Mopeds/scooters are welcome at The Courtyards. The University requires that all mopeds/scooters be registered with the Department of Transportation Services. Once registered, they may be parked at any designated “Moped Parking Only” location within the community. Three convenient locations are located between buildings 300 and 400, within the horse shoe parking lot of 100/200 and in the rear of 700 parallel to the recycle station. Parking and/or storage of moped/scooters in hallways, apartments, on bike racks or on balconies is against the fire code and strictly prohibited.
[+]Move-in/Check-in
2011-2012 check-in will occur beginning August 21, 2011. Check-in times are listed below.
Sunday, August 21:
Residents may check in from 10am-6pm at the Clubhouse. Check-in times for each building are:
10am – Courtyards buildings 100 & 400
12pm – Courtyards buildings 300, 500, & 600
2pm – Courtyards buildings 200 & 700
Monday, August 22 – Friday, August 26, residents may check in from 10am to 5pm.
Saturday, August 27 & Sunday, August 28, residents may check in from 10am to 5pm.
Beginning on Monday, August 29, residents may check-in at the Courtyards Office located in the Clubhouse during regular business hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 9am to 5pm
Tuesday & Thursday – 9am to 6pm
Please remember that you must have a balance of $0.00 on your account with The Courtyards to move in. You can check your balance by signing into the resident portal.
Check-in is available to you on the first day of your lease term. You will obtain your keys, parking pass, alarm information, etc. at that time and be permitted to begin moving in to your apartment. To check-in, we ask that you bring photo identification to the Clubhouse Office.
We know that moving in can be stressful, and we will do our best to make your check-in as quick and smooth as possible. A few ways that you can assist us in making your check-in a success and your move-in smooth are:
· Remember your photo identification.
· Memorize or write down your license plate number.
· Dress appropriately for the weather. The Courtyards is a garden-style community and does not have elevators.
· Consider bringing a hand truck but remember there are stairs to navigate if you do not live on the first floor!
· Leave your pets at home. Pets are prohibited on the Courtyards property and our furry friends are usually not very happy left in a vehicle.
[+]Promoting Responsible Action in Medical Emergencies
[+]Courtyards Area Council
The Courtyards Area Council is a student organization, affiliated with the University of Maryland’s Resident Hall Association that works to provide representation to all Courtyards residents at the community and the University level. The Courtyards Area Council strives to:
- Provide more effective and open lines of communication between Courtyards management and Courtyards residents.
- Organize and provide Courtyards residents with activities and programs.
- Address issues residents may have such as safety concerns, trash collection, parking, and roommate situations.
- Organize and allocate the money available in the budget for community improvement.
The Council consists of both elected officers and general members. Your level of involvement depends on your interests. Being an officer allows for a more specific role and responsibilities, while a general member has more flexibility and the same opportunities to greatly impact the Courtyards Community!
If you are interested in making a difference in your community, contact Karlena Walker at
kwalker@capstonemail.com for more information.
[+]Online RCR
Upon move-in, you are encouraged to assess the condition of your room and apartment, and then to complete a Room Condition Report (RCR) online documenting the condition of your space at the time of move-in. Upon move-out an inspection of your apartment is completed comparing the condition at move-in with the condition at move-out to determine damage charges and work that must be completed prior to a new resident moving in. If you do not complete and submit an RCR, your room and apartment will be inspected with the assumption that all items and furniture were in satisfactory condition with no damage at your move-in.
Please log on to your Resident Portal via www.umdcourtyards.com to complete your RCR within two (2) business days of checking in. To complete the form:
- Assess the condition of your unit overall including walls, carpet, furniture, appliances and bathroom.
- Select the appropriate condition box and add descriptions of any damage that exist in your unit. Be as specific as possible using numbers, dimensions and descriptions. For example, if your kitchen counter has a The Courtyards written in the laminate, you might write 2 inch The Courtyards written near sink in the move-in column in the kitchen section next to “counter”.
- Submit the completed RCR and print or e-mail yourself a copy for your records.
If you have any questions about how to complete the form, please contact your Community Assistant or the Courtyards office for assistance.
[+]UM Shuttle Service
The Courtyards is serviced by Shuttle UM and offers the Courtyards Express service Monday-Friday during the day and the Purple Line at night and during the weekends. Shuttle UM is free to ride. Both the Purple Line and the Courtyards Express follow the service schedule controlled by the Department of Transportation Services. You may view the route information for both lines and the schedules by visiting
http://www.transportation.umd.edu/routes/commuter.html
[+]Move-Out: How to Check-out Properly
Successful Move-Out Guide
Check-out is required at the end of your lease term. If you decide to check out of your room for any reason (end of lease or otherwise), you must follow these procedures to limit the chance of incurring additional charges and to ensure you have properly completed the move-out process.
All personal property must be removed from your unit and it must be returned to the condition it was in when you moved into the apartment. To complete your check-out, please visit the Courtyards Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM). You will need to complete a check-out form and submit your keys. Once you turn in your keys, you will not be permitted to re-enter your apartment or to access your mailbox. If the Courtyards Office is closed, you must check-out at the After Hours Desk or with the Community Assistant On-Duty. Failure to properly check-out will result in a $100 Improper Check-out Fee.
Once you check-out, Management Staff will enter the apartment to complete a Move-Out Inspection. The current condition of the apartment will be compared with your Room Condition Report to determine any work that must be completed prior to a new resident moving in and/or any damage fees that must be assessed to you. Do not forget to remove all unwanted items from your room and apartment, and take any large items to the dumpster areas. If you leave items or trash in your unit, they will be considered abandoned property and thrown away, and an additional charge for trash removal may be assessed to your account.
Please note that if any resident checks-out prior to the end of his/her lease or without releasing to another student, he/she remains financially responsible for the remainder of the lease. This financially responsibility is only relinquished if the lease term ends or the lease is officially transferred to another student.
Check-out Procedures:
1) Remove all personal belongings and trash from the unit.
2) Close and lock all windows and doors.
3) Turn in all keys and parking pass to the Courtyards Office.*
4) Complete a Check-out Agreement and Change of Address notice at the office.
*If the Courtyards Office is closed, you must check-out at the After Hours Desk or with the Community Assistant On-Duty. Failure to properly check-out will result in a $100 Improper Check-out Fee.
If you do not re-lease your apartment, you remain responsible for all aspects of your lease until it concludes on July 30, 2011 including June and July’s rent installments.
[+]Transfer Information
What is a transfer? If a resident is currently living in Courtyards (CTY) and moving to a new apartment or bedroom in CTY for the 2011-2012 lease year, they must completely move all belongings out of their current bedroom and apartment at the end of the lease period on July 30, 2011, and find a place to store them that is not on CTY property. Their new unit will then be cleaned and prepared for them and they can move in at the start of the new lease.
What is a direct transfer? If a resident absolutely cannot move out of the building for that period of time, they can apply to directly transfer into their new space. With this option, residents take the new space as the outgoing resident leaves it “as-is” (i.e. there will be no cleaning , painting, carpet cleaning, repairing of damages or other maintenance concerns addressed by CTY staff). Residents will have to be able to move during an assigned time and date. This will occur on August 1, 2011 from 10AM-4PM
Requirements of Direct Transfers (you must be able to meet all requirements):
- Be able to move into your new space during any assigned window of time. You will be given a six hour window of time to move all belongings from one space to another.
- Be willing to take the new apartment/space AS-IS. This means that our staff will not do ANY cleaning, painting or preparing of the new space. You will get the apartment EXACTLY as the departing resident left it. Allowing direct transfers does not give us any time to prepare the space for a new resident. Be sure you are willing to take the space exactly how the person before you left it, which may not be to your standards.
- Once moved into your new space, you will need to keep items stored in your bedroom or in cabinets so that staff will be able to work within your apartment if there is a new resident moving in.
Application: You will need to submit an application if you are interested in directly transferring into your new bedroom or apartment. Applications are available online at www.umdcourtyards.com under the Applications/Forms section. Applications must be submitted to the Courtyards Office. The deadline to submit an application is 5PM on May 25, 2011. You will be notified whether or not you will be able to directly transfer into your new space on June 1, 2011. Not all applications will be approved. Staff will examine individual needs and circumstances including classes, internships, permanent address and other extenuating circumstances.
Feel free to contact the Leasing Agent with any questions by visiting the Courtyards Office, e-mailing office@umdcourtyards.com , or calling 301-314-9141.
[+]Maintenance & Your Apartment
Work Orders
Maintenance work orders allow you to request that a maintenance technician repair a problem in your apartment. To submit a work order, go to www.umdcourtyards.com and log-in to your Resident Portal. By submitting a work order, you are giving Courtyards Maintenance staff and/or a Courtyards appointed contractor permission to enter your apartment and/or bedroom to completed the maintenance request.
When completing a maintenance ticket, please be as detailed as possible. For example, “Dryer is not heating” is much more informative than “Dryer broken”. This kind of specific information will help the maintenance technician to diagnose the problem and complete your repair in a timely fashion. If a repair is not complete within two business days, log on to the Resident Portal to see an update. There will be notes in the work order record showing additional information. If the information does not answer your questions, please call the management office to speak with the maintenance department. Please do not file multiple maintenance tickets for the same repair.
Maintenance Emergencies
A maintenance emergency is one in which the safety of a resident is jeopardized, when damage is being caused to the building, or when basic life needs are not provided for.
In case of a maintenance emergency during regular business hours contact the Courtyards Office immediately by calling (301) 314-2466.
In case of a maintenance emergency outside of regular business hours, contact the Community Assistant (CA) On-Duty immediately by calling (301) 906-3623. The CA will activate the 24-hour on-call system and a staff member will address the problem.
Situations that would be considered emergencies are:
- All toilets in unit are clogged
- Heating does not work and temperature outside is under 45 degrees
- Air conditioning does not work and temperature outside is over 90 degrees
- Unit door will not lock
- No electricity in unit
- Flooding
- Broken window (both panes)
- Inoperable smoke detector
Situations that are not maintenance emergencies, but will be handled as soon as possible include:
- Clogged toilet in a unit where another toilet works.
- No hot water
- Clogged garbage disposal
- Stove does not work
- Heating does not work and temperature outside is over 45 degrees
- Air conditioning does not work and temperature outside is under 95 degrees
- Bedroom door will not lock
- Clogged shower
- Electricity out for one or two items
- Washer/Dryer does not work
- Smoke detector low battery indicator is sounding
- Situations that are not emergencies and would be dealt with in priority order include:
- Closet door is off track
- Dryer does not heat
- Blinds broken
- Water drains slowly
- Broken towel rack
- Light bulb needs to be changed
- Refrigerator/freezer is not cooling food to safe temperatures
Appliance Care
That Maintenance Staff recommends these helpful tips for using your apartment’s appliances safely and efficiently.
Stove – Clean the drip pans on top regularly; clean inside the oven regularly.
Dryer – Empty the lint trap after every load.
Dishwasher – Dump leftover food in the garbage and rinse the crumbs off the dishes. After running the dishwasher if there is anything in the bottom of the dishwasher, remove it and wipe out the dishwasher with a damp cloth. Clean dried up soap out of soap holder.
Washer – Clean dried up or spilt washing detergent as noticed. Cleaning of laundry room on a constant basis will allow appliances to function at its best.
Microwave – Clean regularly.
Garbage Disposal – Do not throw any food or bones down the drain. Make sure there are no shot glasses or small utensils on that side of the sink or close to that side of the sink that can fall into the disposal.
Refrigerator – Clean refrigerator regularly. Do not leave old or molded food in the fridge.
Freezer – Do not overload freezer and do not let food fall into the ice maker. Keep plastic away from ice maker, it will damage the ice maker.
Your Balcony
Your balcony is a great addition to your apartment space and is meant for your enjoyment. It can be a great place to relax after a long day of class and chat with your roommate. However, to keep you safe and to maintain the property, the following are prohibited on your balconies:
· Any apartment furniture issued by the Courtyards
· Furniture designed with the intended use to be indoors (e.g. couches, reclining chairs, futons, televisions etc.)
· Kegs, bars, or any similar public alcohol containers
· Trash including trash in bags and trash in receptacle containers
· Boxes, bags, or plastic containers intended for personal storage
· Grills (propane or charcoal), charcoal, and/or flammable liquid
· Bicycles and motorized scooters
· Animal, insect, and bird feeders.
Trash & Recycling
Trash and recycling receptacles are available for resident use at the back of the Courtyards property near the rear entrance gate. Residents are expected to dispose of all household waste at this location. Discarding bags of trash and/or recycling in the small garbage cans throughout the property is prohibited. This causes the cans to fill quickly and overflow, and is more likely to attract animals and pests.
Any trash or recycling bags left outside of apartments or on balconies remain the responsibility of
residents. If trash or recycling is found outside of your apartment or on your balcony, it will not be removed by Courtyards staff. In addition, each resident of the apartment will be billed $15 per bag/item for each day that the bag/item remains.
Maintenance Hours
Regular hours for the maintenance staff are Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM. Maintenance will only enter your unit outside of those hours if posted prior or due to an emergency.
How to ID CTY Maintenance Staff
All maintenance staff at Courtyards are required to wear a Courtyards Maintenance shirt and/or jacket. In addition, members of our after hours emergency response team from South Campus Commons are required to wear a South Campus Commons shirt and/or jacket if responding to an emergency.
If you are ever unsure of the identity of a maintenance staff member, please do the following:
- Look for the Courtyards (or South Campus Commons, if emergency) shirt or jacket.
- Ask the person’s name.
- Visit www.umdcourtyards.com/staff to view pictures of all Courtyards staff members.
- Call the office/desk (301-314-2466), ask questions, and describe the person to the staff during regular hours of operation.
- Call the Community Assistant On-Duty (301-906-3623), ask questions, and describe the person to the staff outside of regular hours of operation.
If you remain unsure of the person’s identity, do not allow them into your unit!
Preparing Your Space for Maintenance
If you enter a work order or you receive notice of scheduled maintenance in your unit, please assist the maintenance staff by preparing your space for their arrival. This will allow them to effectively complete the work required, will decrease the time to complete the work, will minimize the chance of the staff needing to move any of your personal property, and will minimize the chance of any damage to your property.
Mattress/Under Bed
· Remove all personal items from under the bed.
· Remove linens and blankets from mattress.
Garbage Disposal
· Remove personal items from under the sink.
· Remove dishes from the sink basin.
Toilet
· Remove personal items from around toilet and off of the tank.
· Clean the toilet on the inside, outside and the surrounding area.
· If there is a toilet “surround rack/shelf” it must be cleared of personal items.
Washer/Dryer
· Remove all clothing from washer and dryer.
· Remove detergent bottles and stored items surrounding the washer and dryer.
Dishwasher
· Remove all dishes from dishwasher.
· Remove all items from under kitchen sink.
Cabinet
· Remove all dishes and/or personal storage from the cabinet. (This includes all shelves, not just the shelf requiring repair.)
Microwave
· Remove any items from inside microwave.
· Remove all items from cabinet above microwave.
· Clear the counter under the microwave.
Plumbing
· Clear all personal items from the cabinet/ area where the plumbing repair is needed.
Closet Shelf
· Remove personal items from the closet shelf.
Closet Door
· Remove personal items on the floor to allow access to the tracks.
Drawers
· Remove all personal items from the drawer being worked on as well as the drawer below it.
[+]Bedbugs
What are Bedbugs?
Cimex Lectularius, or the common bedbug, has existed for thousands of years. Mentioned in ancient writings all the way back to the time of Aristotle, this small, flattened insect feeds on the blood of humans and animals. Bedbugs usually travel in small groups. When immature, bedbugs are a pale yellow color. Adult bedbugs are a reddish brown color and typically around a quarter of an inch long, or about the size of an apple seed.
The bedbug is most active at night, preferring to hide close to where its hosts sleep. Its size and shape make it adept at hiding in crevices in bedding or furniture. They can hide behind electrical outlets, picture frames, door frames as well as a number of other areas.
Bedbugs are extremely hardy and can live up to 18 months without eating. Bedbugs can be found in vacant as well as occupied apartments.
What does a bedbug bite feel like?
Most bedbug bites are actually painless, but may later turn into large, itchy skin welts. These welts do not have a red spot in the center as do the bites from fleas.
Are bedbugs dangerous?
Bedbugs are a nuisance, but are not known to spread diseases to humans.
How does an apartment home become infested with bedbugs?
In most cases, people carry bedbugs into their homes unknowingly in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, or clothing. Used furniture, textiles, and clothing could be infested with bedbugs unbeknownst to the seller or buyer. Bedbugs may also travel between apartments through electric conduit, small crevices or cracks in walls and floors.
How can I keep bedbugs out of my apartment?
Wash clothing and inspect luggage immediately after returning from a trip. Inspect used items such as furniture, textiles or clothing for bedbugs before bringing it into your home. Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs or upholstered furniture into your apartment.
How do I know if my apartment home has bedbugs?
You may notice itchy skin welts. You may also see the bedbugs themselves, small bloodstains from crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to find them because they hide in or near beds, other furniture, and in cracks.
Do bedbugs only infect dirty homes?
Having bedbugs doesn’t mean that a person or their home is dirty. These pests have been found in the most exclusive and prominent of places, such as five star hotels and luxury cruise ships. They don’t discriminate between one star and five star; bedbugs can be found everywhere.
Maintaining a clutter-free environment, however, will make it easier to eliminate bedbugs if they should be found in your apartment home.
What should I do if I think my apartment has bedbugs?
Contact the Management office of South Campus Common/The Courtyards at once 301-314-2499 (SCC) 301-314-2466 (CTY), the CA on Duty after hours 301-906-3623(CTY) or your building service desk, so that we may conduct a thorough inspection. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions for preparing for an inspection and treatment, if necessary.
I had bedbugs. How can I keep my infested items from infesting someone else’s home?
Never resell or donate infested furniture, textiles or clothing. If you throw infested furniture away, make it undesirable to others by cutting or poking holes in the upholstery or making it unusable. Paint or tape a sign to it that says “Infested with Bedbugs”.
[+]Sustainability
The Courtyards at the University of Maryland would like to be committed partners with you, our residents, in the pursuit of a more sustainable lifestyle for all who call this community home. We have established a community wide initiative, the CSI (Courtyards Sustainability Initiative), in an effort to help bring down wasteful consumption of our energy resources.
We have, and will continue to, post tips on ways to reduce energy consumption throughout the year. We will also send the tips via twitter, facebook, and email in an effort to keep this initiative moving year-round. A few tips are listed below:
Lights
- Use a Lamp. Study by a lamp instead of lighting an entire room.
- Use Natural Light. If you don’t need lights, don’t turn them on.
Energy
- Turn It Off. Turn off lights, lamps, computers, printers, TVs, radios, and any other equipment when not in use.
- Unplug It. Many electronics such as TVs, computers, cell phone chargers, electric razors, etc. still use power when they are plugged in. If you have a second refrigerator, consolidate food into one refrigerator and unplug the other.
- Use Fans. Since ceiling fans use only about as much electricity as a light bulb, they use about two percent of the electricity of a central air system.
- Air Condition Wisely. If the heat and humidity is too much to be handled through natural ventilation and with the use of fans, then the air conditioner should be used. Set the temperature to 78°F and close all windows. Turn the A/C off or set the temperature higher when you leave the house.
- Heat Wisely. In the winter, set your thermostat to 68°F. Set it cooler at night and when nobody is home. Make sure windows, doors, and any other openings are shut tightly; if you feel cool air coming in from outdoors, fix it!
Trash and Recycling
Courtyards Trash Policy - Trash and recycling receptacles are available for resident use at the back of the Courtyards property near the rear entrance gate. Residents are expected to dispose of all household waste at this location. Discarding bags of trash and/or recycling in the small garbage cans throughout the property is prohibited. This causes the cans to fill quickly and overflow, and is more likely to attract animals and pests.
Any trash or recycling bags left outside of apartments or on balconies remain the responsibility of residents. If trash or recycling is found outside of your apartment or on your balcony, it will not be removed by Courtyards staff. In addition, each resident of the apartment will be billed $15 per bag/item for each day that the bag/item remains.
Following this policy helps us ensure that pests, insects, and other non lease holders do not attempt to take up residency in your apartment.
Recycling at the Courtyards - What can be recycled?
Here at the Courtyards we are able to "commingle" our recyclables! That means you can put all of your recyclable items into one container without sorting. The sorting will be done by the recyclers. Commingled Recycling is easy, and accepts a wide range of materials. Recycling reduces the amount of garbage you put out for collection... which helps us all in the long run! Below is a list of items that CAN be recycled:
- Paper: Newspaper, magazines, computer paper
- Plastic Containers: #1-7 bottles, jugs, trays, etc.
- Cardboard: cereal boxes, frozen food packaging, etc.
- Aluminum: cans, containers, foil, pie pans, etc.
- Books: paperback, textbooks, hardback, phone
- Steel/Tin Cans: soup cans, fruit cans, etc.
- Waxed Cartons: milk and juice cartons
- Glass: jars and bottles
- Plastic Bags/Film: must be contained within one bag!
Why Commingled Recycling?
Research shows participation and recycling levels increase when sorting is not required. Commingled recycling is more efficient because collection trucks can hold more materials in a single load. New recycling technology allows materials to be sorted at a central location.
Terps Live Green! Find out more about the sustainability practices and resources on campus by clicking this link!
[+]Study Abroad
The following information is intended only for previous Courtyards residents interested in returning after participation in a Study Abroad Program.
South Campus Commons and Courtyards management want to support the amazing educational experience you get by studying abroad. Although being away means you'll need to plan ahead more than a student who is on campus, we have systems in place to accommodate your needs for leasing no matter where in the world you are.
Please refer to the Study Abroad Information from the Department of Resident Life. The information provided on that page will be essential in preparation of the 2011-2012 leasing process.
If you have not lived in South Campus Commons or The Courtyards previously, you are required to meet all of the requirements of all first-time residents as outlined here.
[+]Cable & Internet
Cable Service
Click here to view the cable tv channel line-up.
The Courtyards provides Comcast cable service through the University of Maryland. Having cable issues? First, check that your cable cord is securely attached to your TV and the wall jack. If that does not correct the problem, call 301-314-CATV to request service.
The Comcast representative will ask you for your address. You will need to provide the 8000 Boteler Lane College Park, MD address. In addition, you will need to share that you live at Courtyards and your unit number.
The hours of operation for this service line are Monday through Saturday 8AM–9PM. If you experience a problem after 9PM or on a Sunday, please contact the Community Assistant On-Duty (301-906-3623) so that we can follow-up during the next business day.
Internet
The Courtyards offers both wired and wireless internet service in your unit. This service is provided by and part of the University of Maryland network. All rules and regulations for use of the network apply.
Having internet issues? The Department of Resident Life offers its 4-DATA services to support campus residents. Its Information Systems Unit provides network connection support for the more than 9,000 students living in residence halls as well as those living in University Courtyards, South Campus Commons, and Fraternity Row. Call 301.314.DATA for network support. The Information Systems Unit also provides on-site field technician support in resolving connectivity issues.
Reminder: If you’re having trouble with a university IT resource such as Testudo or the MyUM portal, the place to find out whether there is a system wide problem is the OIT Help Desk Web site: www.helpdesk.umd.edu. You can see a listing of known issues and scheduled outages there, and also use the IT Service Center to subscribe to updates on any listed issues.
[+]Resident Newsletters
"The Courtyards Connection" is our monthly attempt to give our residents important information and reminders about upcoming events, deadlines, policies, etc. This newsletter is sent via email to each resident, but just case you didn't receive one, or misplaced the email, we try to keep the past few months archived here on our website. Enjoy the read, stay connected!
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
[+]Fire Safety
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
When resident students hear their building's fire alarm, they are expected to:
- immediately exit the building, closing their room door;
- always assume an emergency, never a false alarm;
- if the door or handle is warm to the touch or smoke is in the hallway, stay in the room with the door closed, call 911, and attract attention at a window; and
- crawl on floor or stairs, where air is fresher, if smoke is encountered.
When resident students see smoke or fire, they are instructed to:
- pull the nearest building alarm,
- close their room door and safely exit the building,
- call 911,
- never attempt to fight or put out a fire, and tell fire authorities or Police the location of fire or smoke.
Response to Fire Emergency
Emergency response is by the Prince George’s County Fire Department (PGFD). 911 calls and campus emergency phone calls are received by the UM Police dispatcher and immediately given to the PGFD dispatcher. UM also sends its Police to the scene. Emergency medical services are provided by PGFD. There are four other PGFD stations with fire and emergency medical services units within two miles of the campus.
Fire Alarms
Alarm pull stations and fire bells or horns are located in hallways and other common areas throughout the residence halls. A building’s fire alarm system will sound when an alarm station is pulled. The fire alarm systems are monitored by a private fire monitoring company. Individuals must call 911 to report fires and fire alarm activation. Alarm systems are tested twice annually by the UMD Fire Marshal and Maintenance staff. Designated accessible spaces are equipped with assistive devices (e.g., bed-shakers, special smoke detectors and fire alarm warning devices with strobes) for students with disabilities. When an alarm system and/or sprinkler system is temporarily not operational for any reason, a firewatch (walking patrol of the building by staff with airhorns to warn residents of a need to evacuate) is maintained until the system is restored; firewatches are deployed in lieu of mandatory evacuations of residents. Restoration of fire alarm systems to full service is a priority.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are in every student bedroom and also in living rooms of Courtyards apartments. Smoke alarms are intended to alert residents to a fire or smoke in their room or suite or apartment. They are not connected to the building fire alarm system, so in a fire emergency the nearest alarm must be pulled and 911 called. Smoke alarms are tested one or more times annually by Maintenance staff.
Sprinkler Systems
Sprinkler systems exist in all buildings, including all student rooms. Individual sprinkler units are heat-activated.
Fire Evacuation Drills
Unannounced drills are conducted by the UMD Fire Marshal and Maintenance staff once per semester. Drills are conducted to let resident students practice safe evacuation procedures and to evaluate staff performance. Buildings that do not pass a drill (e.g., evacuation too slow, students remain in building, 911 is not notified, etc.) are reported to management for follow-up educational and/or disciplinary action and are subject to retesting.
[+]Spring 2012 Releasing
2011-2012 LEASE HOLDERS – PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE RE-LEASING PROCESS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE LEASING OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE.
The following information is designed to help you navigate the process if you wish to transfer your 2011-2012 lease to another student. If you complete the Re-leasing Process, you will no longer hold a lease at Courtyards for 2011-2012 unless you are approved and sign a new lease at a later time.
Please review this information with any prospective re-lessor so that both parties fully understand the requirements of the process. You are responsible for finding an eligible student to take over your lease and you must complete all the steps in this process before you are released from the financial obligations of your lease.
You should begin the process approximately 3 weeks prior to your desired lease end date to ensure all steps are completed on your desired timeline.
STEP 1: Find an Eligible Re-lessor
Find a re-leasing candidate interested in taking over your lease for the remainder of the lease period. Though it is your exclusive responsibility to find an eligible re-lessor, there are many resources available:
- Speak with friends, roommates, etc. about whether they know anyone looking for housing.
- Post your available space on the Online Re-leasing Bulletin Board so potential re-lessors may see your information. (Males) (Females)
- Review the Online Re-leasing Bulletin Board to find potential re-lessors looking for leases to take over.
- Post advertisements in designated areas on campus. Some bulletin boards/areas require University approval before posting. Contact the Department of Resident Life Assignments and Public Inquiry Office (301-314-2100) for more information about posting in Residence Halls.
- The Leasing Office maintains a list of on-campus male and female students who expressed possible interest in Summer 2011 Re-leasing. The lists can be requested in person at the Leasing Office or by emailing the Leasing Office at office@umdcourtyards.com (please include your name, 10-11 unit, and your UID# in the email).
STEP 2: Complete the Online Re-leasing Process
Submit your Online Re-leasing Form here
You will need the following information to complete the request:
- Re-lessor’s information (Full Name & UMD E-mail Address or UID Number)
- Date you wish to move-out*
- Date your re-lessor wants to move-in*
*The above dates must be at least 2 business days apart.
STEP 3: Determine Your Re-lessor’s Eligibility
Once you submit a candidate through the Online Re-leasing Form, the University of Maryland’s Department of Resident Life will determine his/her eligibility. It takes approximately 5 business days to determine a re-lessor’s eligibility.
STEP 4: Sign Your Re-leasing Paperwork
You and your re-lessor will need to schedule an appointment with the Courtyards Leasing Agent to sign and submit your Re-leasing paperwork and payments. Both of you are required to be present. This appointment must occur at least 5 business days prior to your re-lessor’s check-in date. You must have a zero balance to complete the appointment.
You must bring the following items to your appointment:
If…
A. Resident’s appointment and lease end date are within the same month, Resident will only pay $100 lease transfer fee in certified funds at the time of the appointment. Example: Re-leasing Appointment is scheduled for May 10th and lease end date is May 31st.
B. Resident’s appointment and lease end date occur in different months, Resident will pay $100 lease transfer fee and future rent installment(s) in certified funds at the time of the appointment. If Resident does not have all monies at the time of the appointment, the Re-leasing Appointment will be rescheduled.
Example #1: Re-leasing Appointment is scheduled for April 25th and the lease end date is May 31st, Resident pays lease transfer fee and May rental installment at the time of the Re-leasing Appointment.
Example #2: Re-leasing Appointment is scheduled for April 25th and the lease end date is June 30th, Resident pays lease transfer fee, and May and June rental installments at the time of the Re-leasing Appointment.
Your re-lessor must bring the following items to your appointment:
- Your re-lessor’s $25 check/money order for the Application Fee.
We do not accept cash, credit card, or debit card for this payment.
- Your re-lessor’s $300 check/money order for the Lease Reservation Fee.
We do not accept cash, credit card, or debit card for this payment.
- When applicable, a $65 check or money order for cleaning. Payment should be made out to Educated Cleaners.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HOUSING –
To take over a 2011-2012 Courtyards Lease, you will need to find someone that wants/needs to transfer his/her lease and then complete the Summer Re-leasing Process described above.
Things to remember:
- You must have completed a Leasing Application to be considered for Re-leasing.
- By signing a lease, you agree to remain the lease holder and therefore, financially responsible, through July 30, 2012 unless you successfully transfer your lease to another eligible person through the Courtyards Leasing Office.
- Visit the Department of Resident Life website www.resnet.umd.edu to read more about eligibility to live at The Courtyards.
Ways to connect with current lease holders:
- Speak with friends, roommates, etc. about whether they know anyone looking to transfer a lease at The Courtyards.
- Post your interest in a lease on the Online Re-leasing Bulletin Board so lease holders may see your information. (Males) (Females)
- Review the Online Re-leasing Bulletin Board to find lease holders looking for re-lessors.
Post advertisements in designated areas on campus. Some bulletin boards/areas require University approval before posting. Contact the Department of Resident Life Assignments and Public Inquiry Office (301-314-2100) for more information about posting in Residence Halls.
[+]Resident Handbook
Refer to the Resident Handbook to learn how to a great experience while living at The Courtyards, including information about emergency preparedness, student conduct, and various leasing-related concerns.
[+]2012-2013 Lease Renewal Information
Renewal Intention Forms will be available online January 26 at 9:00am. The deadline to submit your Intention Form is 11:59pm on February 19. To complete your Intention Form, go to www.umdcourtyards.com, select Hot Topics, and then select 2012-2013 Renewal Intention Form. You must complete your Renewal Intention Form even if you do not plan to return to the Courtyards for the 2012-2013 lease year. Any current Courtyards resident that does not submit an intention form online by 11:59pm on February 19 will NOT be permitted to sign a lease for 2012-2013.
To receive text message reminders about renewal deadlines, text “Courtyards” to 99000.
Who is eligible to renew?
Students who will be entering their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of undergraduate study in Fall 2012 who are in good standing with the university are eligible to renew their lease. Students who will be entering their 5th year of undergraduate study in Fall 2012 are not eligible to renew.
What are my options?
Eligible Courtyards residents will have several options on their Intention Form from which to choose. Eligible Courtyards residents may choose to: stay in the exact same space; transfer to a different bedroom within the same apartment; transfer to a new bedroom in a new apartment; pull-in other eligible students to vacancies in their 2012-2013 space; or decline renewal.
Want to stay in your exact same space?
Great news! You will be able to renew your lease online! Simply select “I would like to stay in my same room” (Intent A) on your Intention Form and the system will guide you through your lease signing. No in-person appointment will be required.
Please note that the following groups will need to attend a special leasing meeting for their program and will not be able to renew online: Apartment Living for Students of Different Genders and CAs.
Want to transfer to a different bedroom in the same apartment or transfer to a different apartment?
You must still complete your Intention Form online by February 19. You will not be able to renew your lease online and will be required to schedule a lease renewal appointment with the Leasing Office. On your Intention Form, select the intent option that best fits your intention and the system will guide you through scheduling your appointment.
Students transferring to a different bedroom in the same apartment or transferring to a different apartment altogether should plan to vacate their current unit on July 31, 2012 and move-in to their new apartment on August 22, 2012 (2012-2013 lease start date). Students who need to remain on-campus between July 31, 2012 and August 22, 2012 are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to renew the lease on their 2011-2012 space. The Courtyards cannot guarantee that residents transferring apartments will be able to directly transfer to their 2012-2013 space.
Want to pull in a friend?
The only students eligible to be pulled in are current residence hall students in the 3rd Commitment Group (rising third-year students) who are in good standing with the University. Current Courtyards residents who are in good standing with the University are also eligible to be pulled in/transferred to your apartment. Rising seniors (current juniors) who do not currently live in Courtyards are NOT eligible for pull in.
Contact Information
Questions and concerns regarding the lease renewal process can be directed to the Leasing Agent via phone at 301-314-9141 or via email at office@umdcourtyards.com.
