Author: Admin

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Announcement — Winner(s) for Paying September Rent Online

As a reminder, any resident who pays rent online during March 2020 through December 2020 is automatically entered to win a prize each month! Prizes currently consist of a $100, one-time rent credit for the selected winner(s).

NOTE FOR PROPERTIES WITH 50 UNITS OR LESS: In order for a household to be selected as a winner at properties with 50 units or less, there is a minimum number of households paying rent online required to ensure good use of property funds:

  • Property is 25 units or less                           Minimum of 4 households paying online
  • Property is 26 – 50 units                                Minimum of 10% paying online

If your property meets the minimum number of apartments paying online as noted above (or if your property has 51 or more units), please follow directions on the attached to start the winner selection process.

Once you’ve completed the steps on the attached, the September winner should be chosen as follows:

  • Properties with 5 or less units paying online (but still meet minimum requirements noted above) – pick 3rd unit on Rent Roll
  • Properties with 6 – 50 units paying online – pick 17th unit on Rent Roll
  • NOTE: a second winner should only be chosen for properties with 51 or more units and:
    • That had 51-99 units that paid rent online, also select the 53rd apartment highlighted on the Rent Roll

Once you’ve identified the winner(s), notify the resident(s) via phone or email to let them know they can deduct $100 off when paying October rent. And, of course, offer them a hearty congratulations for being an October winner!!

Please also:

  • Enter this $100 rent concession in the resident ledger in Yardi before Rent Café allows rent payments again on 9/27/2020
  • Print this email and place a copy in the winning resident’s file, for documentation

Keep up the good work by continuing to help register residents to pay rent online; now, more than ever, it’s a win-win as the registration and setup can all be done through email and online!  And residents who are paying rent on-line can be assured of an accurate, timely and personal interaction-free rent payment experience!

If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact kstrong@cambridgeres.com

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Ice Melt

As autumn takes hold, we at Cambridge will focus more on fall and winter activities, one of which is how to address snow and ice. This will be discussed in greater detail come November, but we use sand and/or gravel to address snow and ice, not ice melt products. We do this because the chemicals used to melt ice can damage sidewalks, landscaping, and interiors if tracked inside.


So, we know it’s a little early to discuss this, but we just wanted to ask that you don’t become tempted by HD Supply’s sale prices on ice melt. Please ignore their email and flyer regarding these products if it’s found it’s way into your inbox. 


Thank you, and please let Scott Busch sbusch@cambridgeres.com know if you have any questions.

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Wildfire Evacuation

Everyone should have a plan when preparing for an emergency, regardless what type of natural disaster may occur. In the event you need to evacuate your area, it is important to plan on what to take with you, where to go, and who you need to communicate with. But, as fires continue to burn near some of our properties and even more are in a potential evacuation area, we felt it was important to pass along some information as to how to prepare your building(s) in the event you need to evacuate the area. First and foremost, please follow all direction from your local fire marshal and/or police or sheriff department. Your safety and the safety of your residents is our top priority. Many of the following suggestions are based on how much time you have to prepare. The more time you have, the better prepared you may be. Some things, such as shutting of the gas at the meter may be the last thing you’ll want to do, as the gas company will have to be called out to turn them back on. So, in the event you need to evacuate your property, please adhere to the following guidelines: 

  • Gather up flammable objects from the building exterior and bring them inside (patio furniture, toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.)
  • Move propane barbeques away from the building. Make sure all propane cylinders are nowhere near any structures. Although they’re prohibited by our lease agreement (and some municipalities), residents often try to sneak them onto their patios. So, be diligent in searching out these highly flammable cylinders, and move them as far away from the building as possible.
  • You may want to water the landscaping directly next to your building to get vegetation wet, but when it’s time to evacuate, it’s important not leave sprinklers on or water running as it will lower critical water pressure that firefighters need to keep their hoses going.
  • Seal your foundation vents. This will keep embers from getting under the buildings.
  • Leave your exterior lights on so the building is visible through smoke or at night. Leaving on at least a few interior lights will help, too.
  • Leave a ladder against the corner of a building so firefighters can access the roof. This is counterintuitive to our normal procedures, as we normally don’t want to leave ladders around where they can attract burglars, but in this case, it’s a tool that helps firefighters keep the structure from burning.
  • Shut all windows and doors, both exterior and interior. Leave unlocked if possible, as firefighters may need to access the interior of the building. Keeping exterior doors and windows closed will keep embers from igniting items inside and causing the building to burn from the inside out. Keeping interior doors closed will help slow the spread of fire in the even the building is burning.
  • Remove flammable window shades and curtains.
  • Move flammable furniture to the center of the room away from windows and doors.
  • Turn off air conditioning. This will help keep smoke from circulating throughout the residence.
  • If there is a fence that attaches to the building, secure any gates in the open position. This will help cause a fire break, so flames won’t travel along a fence to the building.
  • Cover dryer vents and wall mounted air openings with duct tape. This will help keep smoke from the interior of the building.
  • Turn off gas valves at each gas appliance. Turn off the gas at the meter. Natural gas is highly flammable and greatly increases the spread of fire. Most gas valves can be shut off at the meter by a standard wrench, but they are designed so they will need to be turned back on by the gas company. This is a safety feature, so the likelihood that gas is turned on prematurely is reduced. Because of this, make sure you don’t turn off the gas until you’ve been ordered to evacuate. 

And, when returning to your property, please watch for downed power lines and other hazards, such as broken glass. Check all gas lines before having gas turned back on, although you can expect the technician from your local gas company to do the same. Make sure to check around the building in the event there are hidden embers or smoldering fires. Please use caution when evacuating, it’s a stressful event, and staying calm and composed will help you and others remain safe. As I said at the beginning of this email, your safety and the safety of your residents is our top priority.  Thank you, and please let Scott Busch sbusch@cambridgeres.com know if you have any questions