Security
 This year, you have some valuable items in the house, and you should lock up whenever you are all leaving for longer than a day.

Utilities

You must call BARC electric Co=Operative, and have the power connected in your name.
BARC 1-800 846 2272.  They will require a security deposit, but you will get it back at the end of the year.
The gas bottle can be filled by Dixie gas and Oil.

You should all have renters insurance, or should have checked with your parents to make sure your belongings are covered under their contents policy.  See below:
Before moving into your new rental home, make sure your belongings are protected. Renter's insurance is available at a relatively low cost and one of the wisest purchases an apartment resident can make. Landlords and property owners' property insurance will not cover your personal property. If you are still on your parent/ guardian's insurance, you may be covered by your parent's homeowners' insurance; check with your parents to determine what would and would not be covered in the event of a loss. Insurance agents are listed in the yellow pages under "insurance." Shop around for a good price before buying a policy because prices vary.

 Heating  A/C
The house is heated and cooled by twin heat pumps. This means that when it is running you should keep windows and doors closed. When you don’t want to use the air conditioning, DO NOT TURN IT OFF, simply turn the thermostat to high, about 80 degrees. Then it will cut on only if the temperature gets that hot. It is necessary on humid days to run the a/c to keep the air in the house dry.   In winter NEVER turn the HEAT OFF. Always turn the temperature setting as low as possible if you leave the house. It will keep pipes from freezing, and will not use much electricity.

The Lawn

Grass is great but must be cared for. Lawns need to be mowed every second weekend until winter arrives. Set the mower height on medium, do not cut the grass too short. Do not leave objects on the lawn for a long period or they will kill the grass See attached suggested mowing schedule.
Keep the lawnmower under the deck. At the end of fall, when there is no more mowing to be done, Run the mower until it is totally stops due to running out of gas. leaving gas in the mower over the winter will kill the engine, and you will be looking at  a new lawnmower cost.

 The Forest

Surrounding the house is forest, and there is to be no cutting down of any trees without checking with the landlord. Occasionally you may find it necessary to have a beer can pickup, as beer cans do not appear naturally in Virginia forests.

 Trash removal

Please make sure you do not leave trash bags round the deck or outside, as animals will shred them, and you will have to pick it all up. the trash has to taken down to the dumpsters on Rt 11, near the convenience ? store.

  Safety

Bar-B-Q,s
·         NO bar B Q’s are allowed on the upper wooden deck. This is an insurance company requirement and must be followed.Bar B Q’s can be set up down on the concrete slab at the bottom of the stairs

Guns
·         Guns are not allowed on the property without express permission of the landlord.

Smoke detectors
·         Insurance requires smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway. The lounge room has an additional carbon monoxide detector. The smoke detectors will be checked by the landlord quarterly. Any detector found missing will be replaced and you will be charged for the cost of the unit plus a $50 fine for its removal.

·          General Points

Kitchen

Stove, make sure you leave a foil drip pan in the bottom at all times. It will make cleaning much easier.

Empty trash regularly as it will stink quickly

 Keep fridge clean

Watch the vinyl floor, do not drag furniture across it, without putting something under it. Nails or sharp objects on couch legs will rip the vinyl and cause it to have to be replaced.

Laundry
Clean lint from dryer before every use. The laundry is for YOUR personal use, allowing your friends to use it will cost you dearly in electricity.

 Bathrooms

Changing the paper can be a chore, but you can figure out how to do it.