Residents

Your Healthy Home

Newmarket Housing Authority strives to keep our residents healthy through a variety of policies and practices

Keep It Smoke-Free

Keeping your apartment and this community smoke-free is good for you, your family, and your fellow residents. Make sure to follow the smoke-free policy for your health.
Smoking is one of the biggest health risks in your home, and it affects everyone living there and your neighbors as well. Newmarket Housing Authority implemented a Smoke-Free Housing Policy, which prohibits smoking in NHA owned buildings, including apartments.

Secondhand smoke, either within the home or from a neighbor’s home, can affect your health and the health of your family. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke.

Children and those with breathing problems like asthma are especially sensitive to the effects of secondhand smoke.
Smoking is a major cause of fires within multi-family buildings.

What Does the Smoke-Free Policy Mean?

Smoke-free housing means that no one is permitted to smoke or vape anywhere inside the apartment building or outside within a certain distance of the buildings. The non-smoking policy applies to every member of the household, as well as all visitors. This policy does not mean that residents who smoke cannot reside in the housing properties – they just cannot smoke in non-smoking designated areas. Candles and incense are also not allowed in your units.

Violating the policy by smoking in non-designated areas is a lease violation and will result in eviction. While quitting smoking can be difficult, there are resources available to help.

Keep It Dry

Take care to thoroughly dry any spills as soon as they happen.
Periodically clean and dry the walls and floors around the sink, bathtub, shower, toilets and windows using a common household cleaner.
If you see mold beginning to grow, clean it immediately. Any cleaner will do. Wipe down the floor and walls after a shower to allow the bathroom to dry quickly.
Open the bathroom door after a shower or bath to let steam disappear or evaporate.
Do not let damp or moist stacks of clothes or paper materials lay around in piles for a long time.
Use a nylon shower curtain and wash it often.

If persistent mold becomes a problem in your unit, staff will work with you to solve the problem.

Keep It Clean

You need to clean your house or apartment regularly. Next time you aren’t motivated to clean your home, remind yourself of all the benefits on why it’s important to regularly clean your home. Here are several to remember:

It helps keep you organized:

Cleaning your home regularly helps keep you organized. You know where all your things are and don’t waste time trying to find your keys or important documents.

Reduces stress:

Not only is it stressful having to search for lost items, but not cleaning increases stress. Just looking at cluttered spaces is stressful. It reminds you of all the things you need to do and makes your home seem smaller than it actually is. Instead of worrying about how you never clean your living room, avoid stress by cleaning weekly.

It keeps you from collecting junk:

By regularly cleaning your home, you get rid of unwanted papers, junk mail, and other items you don’t need anymore. Don’t let this stuff pile up – look through it every few weeks and get rid of what you can as soon as possible.

Reduces allergies:

If your house or apartment isn’t cleaned regularly, dust and other allergens will build up. Cleaning every week will help avoid allergies or other breathing problems.

Avoid spreading germs:

Keeping your house clean will stop the spread of germs and help keep you healthy. Cleaning up spills, vacuuming your carpets and floors, and keeping your kitchen and bathroom clean will kill germs. Avoid getting sick by cleaning your home.

Keeps out pests:

Bugs and rodents are attracted to spills, food particles, and other sources of food. If you don’t clean your kitchen, dining room, and other place you eat, you have a higher chance of having pests. Not only are pests unpleasant, they also spread germs and allergens.

Keep It Pest Free

There are many things that you can do to help prevent pest problems in your apartment. Routine pest control inspections will be conducted by management. However, if you notice any problems with insects or pests in your apartment, notify NHA immediately. Your apartment will be scheduled for prompt pest control service. Please do not be afraid or embarrassed to report any problems. Your cooperation is needed and appreciated.

Shut Down Pests’ Food and Water Supply:

Roaches and mice like kitchens because they are warm and provide sources of water and food. Here are some tips to keep your home clean and prevent pest problems.

Clean up food crumbs promptly and limit food to the kitchen and dining areas only.
Do not leave dirty dishes on the counter or in the sink.
Use covered garbage pails and take out garbage regularly.
Store food in closed containers.
Wipe down your stove and the wall areas around your stove every time you cook. At least once a week, thoroughly clean the stove and around the stove with an all-purpose, non-abrasive cleaner.
Clean out and wash down your cabinets regularly to keep food spills from building up.
Check caulking around sinks and showers and call management if repairs are needed.
Wipe up spills on counters, table tops and the floor as soon as they happen.
Report any leaks and drips to management so they can be fixed.

Eliminate Pests’ Homes:

Clutter can provide a lot of shelter for both cockroaches and mice. Cockroaches also like to live in cardboard boxes. Clean up old newspapers, shopping bags, laundry, and other clutter. Erase pest travel routes by washing their paths with soap and water.

In order to reduce pest infestation, please report the following conditions to NHA.

Broken or damaged window screens.
Cracks in baseboards and around pipes, especially pipes that connect one apartment to another.
Holes in walls and cabinets.
Any trash or discarded food in hallways, common areas, or on the development grounds.
Any pest activity, such as rats or mice, on the grounds of the development.

Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestations should be taken very seriously. If you see bed bugs in your apartment or receive bed bug bites, you should report this immediately NHA. This is a serious problem and should be addressed only by a professional. You should not feel any embarrassment – do not wait to inform NHA!

Signs of Bed Bugs