Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does my rental unit come with air conditioning (AC unit)?

A: No.

Q: Can I submit a request/work order for air conditioning (AC unit)?

A: The university no longer provides air conditioners per request.

Q: Can I purchase an air conditioner (AC unit) for my rental unit?

A: Yes, you may purchase and install a portable one at your own expense. Per the Standard Terms and Rules, “Portable air conditioners are permitted. Window AC units are strictly prohibited.” Facilities Management is not responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the portable air conditioners purchased by tenants.

Q: How do I wash the curtains?

A: The curtains can be machine washed, in cold water, on the gentle cycle. Please hang dry them.

Q: I have family/friends coming to visit, does BYUH have any rentals available?

A: BYUH does not provide rentals/housing for family or friends.

Q: While my family is away, can I have friends or other family stay in my vacant rental unit?

A: No. Per section 12. in your lease agreement, "...Such hosted individuals may not occupy the Dwelling Unit in the Tenant’s absence... ”

Q: How do I reset my garage door passcode?

A: To reset your garage door passcode:

• Locate the "Learn" button on your garage door opener (the motor). You may need ladder to reach it. It is on the same side as the antenna. You might need to remove the light lens to access it.
• Press the "Learn" button for 60 seconds to erase existing codes.
• Wait a few seconds, then push the "Learn" button again. The light will flicker, then release.
• Push in your new code on the outside keypad twice (i.e. push 1234, pause then 1234 again and your code is set).
  

Q: How to program my garage door remote?

• Locate the "Learn" button on your garage door opener. It's on the same side as the antenna. You might have to remove the light lens to access it. The button may be either green, orange, red, purple, or yellow, and beside it is a small LED.
• Press and release the "Learn" button.
• Within 30 seconds of pressing the "Learn" button, press and hold the button you wish to program on the remote control for three seconds, then release.
• The LED indicator light will turn off and/or the garage door operator lights will blink to indicate that programming was successful.

Q: What is a university home inspection and how often is it going to happen?

A: Housing Operations will do a yearly home inspection. This is not a “clean check,” rather it is a time to check the home for any electrical, plumbing, appliance, or maintenance issues.

Q: How do I get a mailbox key?

A: To obtain a mailbox key, please purchase one at the Laie Post Office. You may email a copy of your receipt to housingoperations@byuh.edu for a reimbursement. All keys will need to be returned to BYUH Housing Operations upon ending your lease agreement.

Q: What do I do if an appliance stops working or I have a leak?

A: If an appliance stops working or you have found a leak, please submit a work order request right away. During business hours, please call Facilities Management at (808) 675-3400. If it is after hours and is an emergency, please contact Campus Security at (808) 675-3911 or (808) 675-3503.

Q: What do I need to do/know before I move out?

A: Please disconnect all utilities and request that they be transferred back to BYUH, schedule a walk through with the university housing coordinator, and complete all items on the BYU–Hawaii Property Inspection Form and University Housing Check-Out/Cleaning Process form. Please email housingoperations@byuh.edu to request a copy of these documents. Before you vacate the unit, please empty and rinse your trash, recycling, and green waste bin. Once they have been thoroughly rinsed, please secure them in your garage. Please review the move out checklist for more information.

Q: Can I paint my rental unit?

A: You may paint the inside of your rental unit at your own expense, however, it will need to be returned to the original color and condition upon you moving out (per your lease agreement).Painting the exterior of your home is strictly prohibited.

Q: How often does BYUH update the rental unit?

A: Typically, BYUH updates units every 10 years.

Q: Is my rent going to increase this year?

A: Tenants should expect a yearly increase in rent.

Q: What is the tenant responsible for regarding university housing?

A: Per the standard terms and rules, a tenant will:

• Comply with provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety.
• Keep the dwelling unit in a clean and safe condition.
• Dispose of the dwelling unit of all rubbish, garbage, and other waste in a clean, safe, and timely manner.
• Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant in a clean and serviceable condition.
• Maintain the property. Use and operate within a reasonable manner all electrical, gas, sanitary, plumbing, and other fixtures and appliances supplied.
• Perform general maintenance, including replacing light bulbs, air conditioning filters, and, if applicable, lawn care, stoppage in plumbing fixtures or lines, and any damage
  caused by the tenant, members of the tenant’s family, guests, or others.
• Pay for any costs associated with any destruction, defacement, damage, impairment, alteration, or removal of a part of the dwelling unit (including immediately reimbursing for any damage discovered during the landlord’s inspection of the dwelling unit during the rental agreement).
• Notify the Landlord immediately of any leakage in any of the water or gas pipes or known defects in the dwelling unit not identified in the checklist and that is not the tenant’s responsibility to fix. Any additional damage caused by the tenant’s failure to report or delay in reporting any known defects will result in the tenant
  being responsible for the additional damage.
• Conduct oneself in a manner that will not disturb a neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of their respective premises.
• Maintain all yards on the premises of the dwelling unit in an orderly manner. If the tenant fails to maintain the yard after receiving written notice from the landlord,
  the landlord may complete such maintenance and assess the tenant for the actual costs the landlord incurs, which amount shall be deducted from the tenant’s next paycheck
  after thirty (30) days written notice.

Q: What do I do if my sewer pump alarm goes off?

A: You can push the button or switch on the alarm box to turn off the alarm. This button or switch is typically located on the underneath side of the box behind the "SILENCE" marker. After you have turned the alarm off, please call the City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services and let them know.

Q: If I am moving into a larger/smaller unit than I am currently in, can I store some of my belongings in the vacant new unit until it is ready to move into?

A: No. In order to thoroughly clean and repair the home before you move in, the home will need to be void of any belongings.

Q: My trash can (grey, blue, or green) is missing. How do I get a replacement?

A: You will need to call 911 (non-emergency) to report the need to replace your trash can. A police officer will complete a report and provide you with a report number. Once you have the report number, you will need to call the Laie Collection Yard at (808) 768-9748. They will ask you for the report number and let you know when a replacement trash can will be delivered. If you live in the townhomes (near TVA), your trash is picked up by BYUH Grounds crew. You may submit a work order request to replace your trash can . For more information, read more on the city's opala website.

Q: My trash can (grey, blue, or green) is broken or damaged. How do I get a replacement?

A: You will need to call the Laie Collection Yard at (808) 768-9748 and explain the need to replace your trash can. They will let you know when a replacement trash can will be delivered. If you live in the townhomes (near TVA), your trash is picked up by BYUH Grounds crew. You may submit a work order request to replace your trash can. For more information, read more on the city's opala website.

Q: What is BYUH responsible for regarding university housing?

A: Landlord will use best efforts to:

• Comply with the requirements of all applicable building and housing codes affecting health and safety.
• Make necessary repairs to put and keep the dwelling unit in a fit and habitable condition.
• Provide and maintain in good, safe, working order, and condition, electrical, plumbing, water heating, and appliances
  supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord.
• Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles to tenants for the collections and removal of garbage/rubbish and arrange removal.
  Any additional removal charges will be billed to the tenant.
• Provide periodic pest and insect control measures

Q: What are some tips to having a green lawn?

A: To keep your lawn green, water for 15-20 minutes every morning before the sun comes up and every night after the sun goes down. If you notice that there are yellow spots in your lawn, it could be a drainage issue or a fungus. If it is a fungus, the yellow grass will need to be dug up and new grass will need to be planted. If you are unsure whether you have a drainage issue or a fungus, you may submit a work order/service request for a landscaper to diagnose.

Q: Is BYUH in charge of university housing yard care?

A: Per standard terms and rules, the tenant is responsible to “Perform general maintenance including replacing light bulbs, air conditioning filters, and if applicable, lawn care, stoppage in plumbing fixtures or lines, and any damage caused by the tenant, members of tenant’s family, guests, or others.”

Q: Can I plant a tree?

A: Trees are a wonderful source of shade and beauty; however, they can also cause serious damage down the road. If you would like to plant a tree, please email housingoperation@byuh.edu with your request. If your request is approved, you may plant the tree at your own expense. Maintenance for the tree will be the responsibility of the tenant.