tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59866622012-01-29T15:56:39.257-05:00News for tenants from KRF Corporation, University City (Philadelphia) Housing ValueAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-92174698782780963512011-11-18T09:16:00.005-05:002011-11-18T09:43:51.234-05:00

The Second Mile Center is a highly regarded thrift store on 45th Street between Locust & Walnut, directly across from the KRF Management Office. This store – which offers a variety of clothing, household items, furniture, and some electronics – is a charitable faith-based organization that preaches and practices a code of high ethical and moral standards. Part of its mission is to assist

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-80700425511897814232011-09-13T12:19:00.002-04:002011-09-13T12:26:28.880-04:00

Lead poisoning in young children, the most susceptible segment of the population, is down but not out. Lead is no longer used in products like paint, gasoline, and plumbing. However, in older cities like Philadelphia, remnants of widespread applications are everywhere. Exposure and the consequent hazards are less through contact with the lead-bearing items or materials in their original forms,

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-16113400825994057232011-09-13T12:13:00.002-04:002011-09-13T12:18:51.258-04:00

Lead poisoning is a medical condition that can affect a variety of bodily processes, organs, and tissues. In the past, some people were routinely exposed to large amounts of lead directly or to products that contained this substance. Workers who handled lead or its compounds without suitable protective devices were especially susceptible to its hazards. In addition, children were and are still

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-56448844006750318122011-09-13T10:36:00.003-04:002011-09-13T11:00:01.989-04:00

KRF tenants who want to have satellite TV must obtain permission from the management office to have the antennas installed on the building.Under ordinary circumstances, we do not allow the antennas to be mounted on the roofs of the buildings. This is because our experience has been that the potential for damage to the roof &#150 and consequent leaks from melting snow and ice or heavy rain is too

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-13419149947370895672011-04-26T12:08:00.004-04:002011-04-26T12:29:58.128-04:00

Don't let your hard work, electricity payments, and cool air go out the window! The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) offers the following tips.First, if you're buying a new room AC, be sure to select an ENERGY STAR(r)-qualified model, which will save you more than $100 in energy costs over the lifetime of the unit.Next, installing your room AC unit correctly can

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-89226236058543943522011-04-10T11:52:00.003-04:002011-04-17T11:36:09.651-04:00

Owing to an unusual 100% rate of renewals and internal transfers, KRF has no units available for rent to new tenants for the coming academic year. (We must be doing something right... maybe it's the TLC with which Pluto welcomes visitors to the office).It's possible, although not very likely, that someone's plans will change and something will open up. If you're continuing to look for

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-82635897376160171502011-02-19T08:48:00.004-05:002011-02-19T09:02:12.899-05:00

The fate of pets in the event of a fire has come to the fore because of concerns about cats still living in the Windemere Apt complex at 48th & Walnut. After a serious fire, the city declared the building as a hazardous site and ordered it sealed. Some people did break in anyway &#151 looters as well as folks who had lived there and animal rescue voluneers. A few cats were saved. A few others

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-49645832228508278982011-01-31T16:28:00.002-05:002011-01-31T16:48:54.766-05:00

The heating systems in KRF buildings &#150 and other older structures in Philadelphia and elsewhere &#150 have been working as hard as they can to keep everyone comfy during the unusually cold weather this winter has brought us.Sometimes, they just can't quite get everything up to the 68-to-70 degree range we try to maintain as a minimum. If this is the case in your apartment:Ask us to install

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-59046373218006725332011-01-04T16:26:00.004-05:002011-01-23T08:57:02.250-05:00

As a safety measure, KRF Management has installed emergency furnace shut-off switches at locations in all buildings where they can be readily accessed by tenants. These switches should be instantly recognizable because they have red cover plates and are imprinted to say "Oil Burner Emergency Shutoff," "Gas Burner Energency Shutoff," or words to that effect.If your building has a common hallway

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-47348027823211917302010-07-15T17:31:00.003-04:002010-07-15T17:49:50.463-04:00

The KRF office is normally open from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am through 5:00 pm on Friday. We are usually closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays.If you call for service or information and get our voice-mail system, please:speak slowly and distinctly... calls from cell phones are often especially difficult to decipher, so try to err on the side of overdoing

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-55672253214879962192010-07-15T16:20:00.007-04:002011-09-13T11:09:17.036-04:00

Every so often, more than you might think, we inadvertently discover a problem in an apartment or building that needs attention but hasn't been reported. When possible, our people ask "why didn't you call?" And, we're no longer surprised when the answer is "we didn't want to bother you."Well, it's no bother because:We'd rather fix a leaky faucet or toilet than waste a valuable resource and, not

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-32818838705281746502010-07-07T16:10:00.004-04:002010-07-15T17:17:32.175-04:00

Tim Mitchell, of the KRF staff, is a Captain in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment &#151 a group that does accurate re-enactments of American Revolution events. The group was invited to bivouac on the grounds of the US Constitution Center, in the Independence Hall complex, during this year's 4th of July celebration.You can see an article about the encampment in the University City Review print edition

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1084620742908998622010-04-09T07:22:00.001-04:002010-05-25T18:22:06.856-04:00

The moving season in University City is in full swing. SO you'll find lots of furnishings and other useful items left at the curb for trash pickup (Tuesday or Wednesday morning, depending on what part of the neighborhood you walk. And - as long as the warm weather holds - neighbors will continue to have porch and yard sales. This provides a great opportunity to grab things free or at least cheap,

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-77535275015659963512009-12-07T22:00:00.001-05:002010-03-19T09:12:12.341-04:00

I don't know whether this is true &#151 and, if it is &#151 whether its isolated or widespread. But it seems worth passing along.Beware the Nigerian Landlord ScamPerpetuating his country's unfortunate association with internet scams, a Nigerian man has turned to a new source for ill-gotten money: home renters.No tall tales of fake Nigerian royalty or bogus inheritances this time; the latest scam

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-69514045190489303612009-12-07T17:00:00.002-05:002009-12-07T19:06:33.051-05:00

Do you know that if you have something to sell, want to buy, services to offer, etc &#151 as a "private" resident rather than a local business operator &#151 you can place a complimentary classified ad (with no obligations) in:The University City Review (serving the neighborhoods of West Philadelphia from the Schuylkill to 52nd Street)The Weekly Press (serving Center City Philadelphia).For

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1121876539407299972009-12-06T12:13:00.000-05:002009-12-07T18:47:13.005-05:00

If your sink, tub, or toilet becomes clogged, please call the office for assistance. You can try using a plunger yourself, if you have one. But we would prefer that you don't pour any chemicals into the system. For three reasons:Notwithstanding the ads you may see on TV, they don't work very well.The chemicals can be rough on the piping and ultimately cause serious damage.The materials are quite

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-90225198024882594582009-08-19T07:40:00.002-04:002009-08-19T07:56:40.924-04:00

This summer has seen more than its usual share of insect and rodent invasions in buildings throughout the region. KRF exterminates regularly, on the second Tuesday of every month, to help keep possible problems in check. However, we also respond immediately to alerts by tenants that they detect the presence of these pests in their apartments. It's helpful if you report any issues like this as

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-33475796398505446762009-01-25T09:20:00.010-05:002009-08-16T14:02:17.460-04:00

Safety experts across the country believe that equipment capable of sensing and alarming the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) should be installed in residential buildings along with the smoke detectors already proven to save lives.An ordinance has recently become effective in Philadelphia mandating the use of CO detectors at key locations in specified dwellings.All KRF units have alarms sensitive

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-16385237037668010662008-12-20T21:50:00.006-05:002009-05-07T18:46:15.723-04:00

The confusion about the weeks on which recyclables will be collected along with trash has ended. Philadelphia has taken another step into the 21st Century and is now picking up recyclables every week. And the city is continuing with its "single stream" program, in which all recyclables can be placed in the same containers.Here's what is recyclable at the present time:metal: tin, aluminum, and

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-89912788984180836982008-12-20T21:30:00.006-05:002010-12-09T15:45:30.066-05:00

Lock the doors to your building when you enter and exit. That's what the locks are for. And all of your outside locks work on the same key so it's easy.While we're on the subject, if you're walking around the neighborhood, keep in mind the fact that some streets are inherently safer than others. When you have a choice, use those with more slower-moving traffic &#150 for instance, Spruce rather

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-91519655385251751572008-10-17T18:35:00.003-04:002010-08-03T16:49:21.917-04:00

All KRF buildings are equipped with exterior lights that are supposed to come on automatically when it gets dark. They are safety features:to help you see where you're walkingto illuminate alleyways as a means of discouraging &#151 well &#151 people who need to be discouraged.If any of the lights on your building are not coming on, please let us know so we can remedy the situation.Also, if the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-65013651971903048182008-02-29T17:18:00.002-05:002008-02-29T17:26:50.052-05:00

All KRF units have either straight line-powered or combination line-powered/battery smoke detectors immediately outside or inside all bedrooms.We have been testing these occasionally for your safety. However, after reading about a few disastrous fires around Philadelphia where the authorities found either no smoke detectors at all or no working smoke detectors, we have decided to increase the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1093437661771192532007-09-22T08:28:00.001-04:002009-01-26T10:02:09.653-05:00

TrashTrash is normally collected at the curb on Tuesday mornings, in the neighborhoods where KRF buildings are located. Our staff sets it out late on Monday afternoon, to ensure that it's ready if the Streets Dept comes by early in the morning. (Note: When Monday is a holiday, trash will be set out on Tuesday afternoon for pickup on Wednesday morning. This also holds for recycling, when it is

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1166712489403829392006-12-21T09:38:00.001-05:002010-08-03T16:47:05.291-04:00

KRF Management has found a free automated service that will back-up your computer files at whatever frequency you desire, and will also allow you to trigger a backup whenever you want. They give you 2 GB of secure storage with the free option &#151 which is more than enough for most people's word processing, data, and photo files. It's even enough if you have some videos and music you want

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1157461370066341802006-09-05T08:56:00.000-04:002006-09-05T09:02:50.066-04:00

KRF is having the roofs of all buildings inspected and repaired in preparation for fall rains and winter snows.If you live on the top floor, please let us know of any water stains you've seen on your ceilings that you haven't already reported. These stains appear when there are small leaks, often so small that you won't have any actual dripping. And small leaks eventually become big leaks, so

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1154088969166897252006-08-02T08:09:00.000-04:002006-08-05T13:09:43.230-04:00

Occasional bugs and mice are inevitable in older inner-city buildings.KRF therefore performs monthly routine extermination of all units. This service will be done on the second Tuesday of every month. If you are having a particular problem, you can notify us at any time and we'll take appropriate action. Also, if you notice a problem, be sure to advise us a day or so before the second Tuesday so

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1132579260645891192005-11-21T08:09:00.000-05:002006-07-30T19:36:09.486-04:00

All KRF buildings with more than two units have multi-sensor fire alarm systems as required by the Philadelphia Code. Unfortunately, these systems are prone to "nuisance alarms." These alarms are of two types:Loud signaling, indicating a smoke or fire condition when there is none.Low-level (but annoying) beeping, indicating a possible malfunction of a sensor or other component.Any such problems

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1110994412635786682005-03-16T12:27:00.000-05:002005-03-16T12:33:32.636-05:00

Several people have asked how to contact the police after calling 911 in an emergency and not getting a response. The Police Dept recommends repeating the call to 911 and stressing the urgency of the situation.In University City, you can also follow-up the second 911 call with direct calls to two other sources of assistance: The Philadelphia police substation at 40th & Chestnut: 215-243-0667The

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1100035850980493872004-12-16T16:22:00.000-05:002004-12-28T17:00:17.206-05:00

Mail for residents of KRF buildings is delivered in bulk through a slot in the outer door. Over the years, this has proved to be the best approach &#151 avoiding access to hallways and mailboxes by unauthorized persons. One downside of this practice is that vestibules sometimes get cluttered with mail. This includes items addressed to current residents that they don't pick up, letters addressed

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1102616473437165972004-12-09T13:16:00.000-05:002004-12-09T13:21:13.436-05:00

KRF provides only limited service for repairs and maintenance during evening and weekend hours. So, please contact the office with your notifications and requests early in the day and week, to help us respond quickly to your needs and concerns. Call at 215-349-6500, or send e-mail to krfapt@aol.com. here's a helpful hint &#151 if you get an answering machine when you phone, you can skip the

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1095773213181484722004-11-16T07:12:00.000-05:002004-11-16T08:29:01.856-05:00

The exterminator made his rounds yesterday. And, when he got back to the office, he said, "Why should the mice eat the poison I set out for them? Some of the tenants are leaving open containers of garbage in their apartments that Mickey and Minnie will find much more appealing." Roaches, mice, and other pests are an inevitable fact of life in older high-density city neighborhoods. To minimize

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1085685280444884622004-08-24T14:55:00.000-04:002006-04-26T12:30:57.250-04:00

If you haven't done so already, you may want to consider buying a renters' insurance policy. Except in extraordinary cases, KRF is not responsible for the damage to or theft of your personal property -- for instance due to leaks, electrical disturbance, unlocked or forced doors, and so forth. Policies are available at moderate cost from a number of sources. KRF has no business relationship with

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1091539818999752602004-08-03T09:25:00.000-04:002004-08-03T09:30:19.000-04:00

All KRF buildings have fire extinguishers in the hallways that meet or exceed the requirements of the Philadelphia Fire Code. We have a limited number of additional fire extinguishers, which are charged and pressurized but not certified. If you would like one of these to keep inside your apartment, please contact the office and we will make them available to you free of charge. This offer will

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1091130412050602772004-07-29T15:43:00.000-04:002004-07-29T15:46:52.050-04:00

The University City Review of July 28 2004 has an informative article with tips from local experts about how to keep your bike from being stolen. In case you missed it in the print version of of our award-winning community newspaper, read it online by clicking here: www.philly1.com/story2072804.html

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1079539630616261472004-03-17T11:07:00.000-05:002004-10-27T08:05:49.766-04:00

Dripping faucets and continually-running toilets are raising the bills KRF has to pay to the Water Department. As an example, in the latest round of bills, one building alone had charges more than $150 over what it should have been. Several other buildings were $50 or so too high. Since our costs are covered by the rents tenants pay, unnecessary expenditures like this are factored into what we

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1074605928163630452004-01-20T08:38:00.000-05:002004-07-16T16:17:47.713-04:00

You're probably familiar with the old proverb: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It applies to situations you notice are -- or even may be -- developing in your apartment or building. Loose doorknobs or hinges, drains that are starting to run slowly, faucets that are beginning to drip, ... you get the idea. You'll be happier and we'll be happier if we get to them before then

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1070028752563926712003-11-28T09:12:00.000-05:002004-07-16T16:19:36.930-04:00

People are rightfully annoyed by voice mail systems that seem to take too much time with announcements and instructions before allowing them to leave their message. You can bypass the blather and get right to the beep when you call KRF. The secret? Just hit the # key on your phone at any point during the greeting.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5986662.post-1067259914718196212003-10-27T08:05:00.000-05:002004-06-22T09:08:29.620-04:00

If you have an e-mail address and would like to receive relevant alerts from KRF via this medium, please click here to send us a message (krfapt@aol.com). We'll automatically add you to our address book. While you're at it, include your phone number to be sure we have it and can contact you immediately if necessary.

Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17184711048627966016noreply@blogger.com