Waikiki Banyan Newsletter: October 2010

October 2010

Transient Crime Families

Once again a unit owner has been victimized by a transient crime family (TCF). Again, the TCF did not pay the last month’s rent and when threatened with eviction left early but not before extensively damaging the interior of the apartment.

If you don’t want to be the next victim begin with the assumption that no matter how sweet, charming, endearing and convincing your prospective tenant might be they could be a member of a TCF.

TCFs have several generations experience in conning prospective landlords when seeking to rent an apartment. They are an owner’s dream come true because they offer cash or cashier’s checks up front. They are only too happy to sign a lease at whatever length you desire. What could go wrong?

Your first clue is their having a plausible reason for not having an independently verifiable credit history. They may have several very glowing references but probably no bank account.

Banyan staff occasionally see people who may be members of a TCF. We do try to keep an eye on their activities but we can’t act until we catch them violating our rules and regulations. Because we have a history of strictly enforcing the rules they recently have been on their best behavior when in the common areas. In this last case, even though we had been keeping an eye on them, there was no evidence of bad behavior until after they left the building.

What we can do is warn you that there are people now at the Banyan who may be members of a TCF.

2011 Parking Permits

The parking passes for 2011 have been ordered. The new passes will be effective noon January 1, 2011. The 2010 passes will no longer be valid after that date.

Each owner is entitled to one (1) parking pass for each apartment owned. Control of the parking pass is the unit owner’s responsibility. You may assign your pass to your tenant or rental agent, however we must have your personally signed authorization before we will give a pass to anyone other than you.

THERE IS A $50 CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF A LOST PARKING PASS.

If you sell your unit, please give the pass to the new owner. If you do not, the new owner will have to pay $50 for a new pass.

We will not be mailing out the passes. They will be available beginning December 15, in the Administration Office, 306-2, during normal business hours.

If you wish to assign your parking pass please fill out and SIGN the authorization form and fax or mail it to: AOAO Waikiki Banyan, Administration Office, 201 Ohua, #306, Honolulu, HI 96815
1-(808) 921-2037(fax)

Aloha Nui Loa

Bicycles and Mopeds

Waikiki Banyan has an area set aside on the A-1 level (sub-basement) for owners’ bicycles and mopeds. This area is particularly useful for owners who are going to be off Island for more than a week and have not registered their bikes or mopeds with Admin.

Recently we conducted our periodic cleanout of the congested bicycle and moped areas on the B-1 level. Vehicles were tagged and those that were without licenses or apparently abandoned or hadn’t been moved in a week were relocated to the A-1 level. Some of them are very nice and look expensive.

We are required to hold them for 30 days before disposal. In this case we will hold the unlicensed vehicles that are in good shape for 60 to 90 days.

If you left your bike or moped on the B-1 level and haven’t seen it lately, please contact Admin. Describe it and tell us when you will be back. We will register it for you.

Leaks, Unit Keys, Remodeling

The Banyan cast iron wastewater drain pipes are thirty-one years old. More and more frequently they are leaking due to rusting from the inside out. The good news is that Banyan staff have become expert at detecting the leaks, removing and replacing the thin-walled pipes, and then repairing the damage done to the hallways and unit interiors.

Wastewater is ugly, smelly, filthy stuff. A leak is an emergency situation and we must repair it as soon as possible. Many times we must get into a unit before we can begin repairs. Banyan House Rules require unit owners to leave keys with Admin for use in an emergency. If Security doesn’t have unit keys and the unit agent is not readily available we must call a locksmith and gain entry. The unit owner than gets the bill for the locksmith and Admin charges. So please make sure Security does have set of unit keys.

The wastewater lines are usually in the wall behind where the refrigerator was originally placed. Some unit owners, when remodeling the kitchen, are moving the refrigerator and placing countertops and/or drawers where the refrigerator used to be. If there is a leak and we must get at the pipes through the interior of the unit and there is something in the way, we still must get at the pipes. The result could be very expensive. Please consider this when planning a remodel.