|
Post by GitteK on Jun 8, 2007 4:10:39 GMT -5
This is my check-list that I will bring along and go through with the representative from the agency on arrival. Feel free to add some more questions/issues. - If any exisisting visible damages in the apt. on arrival, make sure that they are noted by the agent – or take a photo
- How/when to put out the garbage and recycling (what is recycled?)
- How to work the cable box on the TV? The DVD, CD-player ?
- How does the internet connection, if any, in the apartment work ?
- Can you use the telephone in the apartment for free of charge, for local calls in Paris / in France ?
- Where are the circuit breakers located? (in case of storm/power outage)
- How to work the washing machine and which detergents to use ?
- How to work the dishwasher and detergent to use?
- Where do you buy groceries and where is a good "locals" cafe?
- Where is the closet internet café/ service ?
- Make sure you understand how the security codes work. Do this yourself before the agent leaves, so that you will not end up locked out of your apt.
- Make sure you understand how the keys work (with many locks it is easy to leave the key in the door to lock from inside and lock yourself outside the apt. when you leave, ooops !). This can be very expensive, locksmith fees can be as much as 500 euros.
- How to open close/windows? Many owners have unique ways of propping open french windows.
- How to turn on/off heat and aircondition and whether you individually have control over this? (some units aircondition/heat are controlled for the building as a whole - not by unit).
- Local numbers for emergencies (closest hospital), police, pharmacies, firemen (pompiers), number for a local cab company, etc.
- Who to call if sudden leakage, e.g. from drain, washingmachine, dishwasher, toilet. Where to shut off the water ? - How to unblock drains
- How to make arrangements for handing back the keys on departure ? Will there be a representative present from the agency ?
|
|
|
Post by Happygoin on Jun 8, 2007 6:22:32 GMT -5
I was fortunate enough last fall to have the owner's brother (who was the on-site rep) take us for a short walk around the neighborhood to show us where the internet cafe, local cafe, a couple of good restaurants etc. were. I wish everyone was so lucky. It made a nice intro to the neighborhood. Very comprehensive list.
|
|
|
Post by trechic on Jun 8, 2007 7:15:21 GMT -5
Make sure you know what the allowance is for electricity/heat units (costs) are!! Electricity is expensive and alot of apartments charge for anything over and above the allowance. In these cases you should look at the meter with the "caretaker" and agree on the reading when you arrive - and of course when you leave!!
|
|
|
Post by sistereurope on Jun 8, 2007 7:16:35 GMT -5
Thanks Gitte - you had a few things on there that I never would have thought of, but that could make a big difference if something went wrong. I know you must be so excited right about now...those last few weeks/days are torture!
|
|
|
Post by catherine on Jun 8, 2007 8:57:27 GMT -5
Great list! I wouldn't have thought of all those things.
Also, speaking from recent experience, it is so handy to have the digital camera on hand. If you do happen to find problems, you can start snapping pics of the broken items or things that are dirty. Emailing them to the manager then 'dates' the photo if you don't already have that function on the camera. Helps prove that you found things in that state early in your stay.
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on Jun 8, 2007 9:17:39 GMT -5
Thanks, Catherine, for that list. A really well-managed apartment should provide all that information, preferably in a written format. Here's the table of contents from the "Welcome Book" we provide our guests. It might be helpful to spark questions that renters should ask.
Judging from the responses I get about it, the book is considerably more comprehensive than most apartments, but I think the information is really necessary. The sections on appliances include photographs of the dials with labels illustrating the purpose of each. The transportation section includes maps of the routes of every bus and metro line serving the neighborhood. The whole thing runs to about 70 pages.
Welcome to Rue Truffaut The Building: Orientation & Etiquette The Neighborhood: Orientation The Neighborhood: Food Vendors The Neighborhood: Restaurants The Neighborhood: Shopping, Servics & Conveniences The Neighborhood: Public Transportation Appliances & Electronics: Cable TV Appliances & Electronics: Chaudière Appliances & Electronics: Dishwasher Appliances & Electronics: Clock Radio Appliances & Electronics: Computer & Internet Connection Appliances & Electronics: Microwave Appliances & Electronics: Miscellaneous Kitchen Appliances Appliances & Electronics: Oven Appliances & Electronics: Steam Iron Appliances & Electroncs: Stereo Appliances & Electronics: Telephone & Voicemail System Appliances & Elecronics: Washing Machine Public Holidays Safety Tips Emergency Contacts & Helpful Phone Numbers Checkout Reminders
|
|
|
Post by catherine on Jun 8, 2007 10:27:04 GMT -5
Great idea Truffaut! It would help all round to have something like that. It's hard to work out how everything works in someone else's place - and in a foreign county to boot - where everything is done a little differently.
(Eg, we don't need the anti caking stuff in the washing machines in Australia 'cos the water is different - and even though I can pick my way through the French instructions on the box - I'm not really clear as to whether it is supposed to be in the wash WITH the clothes or only during a special wash of its own - like you do with dishwasher cleaner??)
The turnover of guests trying to familiarize themselves with everything must increase the wear and tear on the owner's things too. I'm getting an insight here at present into the challenges of vacation apartment management in Paris. There is alot of work in it - and alot of co-ordination between owners who might not be nearby, managers who might not know the place intimately, and the cleaners who find the issues could be from another firm altogether. The rents look very reasonable, when the costs of doing this well is taken into account.
|
|
|
Post by GitteK on Jun 8, 2007 10:51:15 GMT -5
>>>you had a few things on there that I never would have thought of, but that could make a big difference if something went wrong.<<< Sister, if you know how happy that makes me ! This is what I do for a living, as an insurance consultant: securing people's peace of mind, before anything goes wrong.
|
|
|
Post by luckyluc on Jun 8, 2007 10:56:02 GMT -5
Oh Catherine how I wish all our renters where understanding as well as you are! We have a black board near our pc and we write in "Le problème du jour" LOL.
The requests from some renters are unbeliveable, one would need to be the George V concierge, and even then! But then you have the really nice one who buy some plants for our garden.
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on Jun 8, 2007 14:46:33 GMT -5
Lucky's comments are right. We once had guests (from the Yukon, no less) who were absolutely incensed that the paring knife was not up to snuff to peel their carrots. They called the manager and asked her to make a special trip to bring them another paring knife!
And then you add in the guests who steal tablecloths and cookbooks, break dishes without mentioning it, chop vegetables with a cleaver on the bare countertop, use bath towels to wipe up bleach spills, oh the list just goes on and on....!
Fortunately, the vast majority of guests are absolutely charming and treat our apartment as if it were their home, too. We really enjoy getting to know our guests a bit and providing them with a different outlook on the city. Generally, I think people who are adventurous enough to rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel tend to be savvier, smarter and more careful than many other travellers.
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jun 8, 2007 15:02:09 GMT -5
Truffaut, do you think your manager could run out and get me a new pastry bag? I'm going to try those macarons again, and just don't want to leave the house... I can't imagine what you apartment owners have to go thru with some people! Geesh!
|
|
|
Post by luckyluc on Jun 8, 2007 15:12:09 GMT -5
Annette I think that's what husband are for. In training 101 after the office and BEFORE coming home one must phone to see if there is anything the princess need! Happy wife, happy life!
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jun 8, 2007 16:13:08 GMT -5
Lucky, is that one of the courses you teach? I'll enroll hubby right away!
|
|
|
Post by Truffaut on Jun 8, 2007 18:07:28 GMT -5
after the office and BEFORE coming home I thought the French called that the "cinq à sept" and I thought it had a distinctly different purpose
|
|
|
Post by greyghost1 on Jun 8, 2007 18:22:04 GMT -5
GitteK...I never gave most of those a thought... but we made it through the 2 weeks without most of that knowledge. One thing I wish we had done was have a witness when and where we left the key hanging. I actually hung it on a key rack by the door and the rental person who came to check out the apt said we didn't leave the key and she had to re-key the apt! We did leave the key but had no witness. So add insuring you have a safe place to leave said key.
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jun 8, 2007 19:36:00 GMT -5
Truffaut, if he knows what's good for him he'll just stick with the pastry bag!!!
|
|
|
Post by annettecinca on Jun 8, 2007 19:38:09 GMT -5
This is a great list you have put together, Gitte. And it sounds like our resident landlords really have their act together and have it all covered for their guests!
|
|
|
Post by susanb on Jun 15, 2007 7:08:21 GMT -5
How much more helpful can this be for a novice? BRAVO and Merci
|
|
|
Post by susanb on Jun 15, 2007 7:09:57 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by susanb on Jun 18, 2007 22:49:19 GMT -5
You can really tell who the expierenced travellers are and it's so nice to have them!! I'm going to need to get another printer just to keep up. Thank-you all, you have no idea how helpful it is to me. A little knowledge is very nice and helps the confidence. Besides, sometimes, it feels good to occasionally feel slightly superior to the man I've married who seems to know it all!
|
|