Helpful Information for Living at King & Queen Apartments

Moving into a new apartment is exciting — and sometimes a little overwhelming. Even simple things, like adjusting the thermostat or locating the breaker panel, can feel unfamiliar at first.

This page is designed to help you get comfortable quickly and understand how your apartment functions. It serves as a practical reference during your residency at King & Queen Apartments in Downtown Williamsburg, VA.

For additional guidance, please also review the Tenant Handbook & Rules and Regulations and the Possible Maintenance Issues page on this website.

When You First Move In

We recommend taking a few minutes to locate and familiarize yourself with the following:

Electrical Breaker Panel

  • Located in the walk-in closet behind a small metal door.
  • Each apartment was upgraded in 2016 to include dual-function arc fault and ground fault combination breakers.
  • Identify the main breaker and the breakers serving the range, living room, bedroom, and bathroom.

GFCI Outlets

  • Located above the kitchen countertop and in the bathroom.
  • These protect against electrical shock and can be reset if needed.

Water Shut-Off Valves

  • Located under the kitchen sink.
  • Under the bathroom sink.
  • Beside the toilet.

Knowing where these items are located can help prevent damage and resolve minor issues quickly.

General Apartment Features

Window Treatments

Each apartment includes premium faux wood blinds. Curtain rods or rod brackets are installed in designated locations.

If you choose to add curtains or drapes:

  • They must remain behind the existing blinds.
  • They must be fire-rated and constructed of fire-retardant material.
  • Blinds provided by management must remain installed.

Please refer to your Lease Agreement and Tenant Handbook for full details.

Electrical Service & Power Outages

Your apartment contains a modern breaker panel with combination AFCI/GFCI breakers.

If a Circuit Breaker Trips:

  1. Unplug or turn off appliances that may have overloaded the circuit.
  2. Locate the breaker that has switched off.
  3. Reset it by pushing it fully back into position until it clicks.

If power remains out after resetting:

  • Check whether the entire building or block is without power.
  • Contact Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357 if it appears to be a larger outage.
  • Submit an Online Maintenance Request if the issue continues.

If you ever see sparks or arcing from an outlet, discontinue use immediately and contact management.

Smart Entry Deadbolt Locks

All apartments are equipped with touchscreen keypad deadbolts (no physical keys issued).

Each resident receives a personal access code. For safety:

  • Do not share your code.
  • You are responsible for anyone entering with your code.

For full details, see the Tenant Handbook.

Drain Care

Each apartment is provided with:

  • A kitchen sink basket strainer
  • A tub hair catcher

Please use these consistently to prevent clogs.

Do not:

  • Dispose of grease, food, wipes, feminine products, or paper goods down drains.
  • Use chemical drain cleaners such as Drano or Liquid Plumber.

Tenants may be charged for clogs caused by misuse.

Heating & Cooling

Each apartment includes a central air handling system controlled by a digital thermostat.

Heating Season

Typically mid-October through mid-April.

To operate:

  • Set system to “Heat”
  • Set fan to “Auto”
  • Adjust to desired temperature

Cooling Season

Typically early May through mid-October.

To operate:

  • Set system to “A/C”
  • Set fan to “Auto”
  • Adjust to desired temperature

Keep all windows and doors fully closed during extreme weather to maintain efficiency.

Portable Air Conditioners

Portable units are permitted if they:

  • Draw no more than 11 Amps / 115 Volts
  • Include automatic evaporation (no water tank)
  • Are installed per manufacturer guidelines
  • Use a proper 14-gauge appliance extension cord if needed
  • Use a dowel or broomstick to secure the window

Tenants are responsible for any damage caused by improper installation or leaks.

Kitchen Appliances

All ranges and ovens are electric.

  • A slight odor during first use is normal.
  • The bottom element heats during baking.
  • The top element activates during broil.

Smoke Detectors & StoveTop FireStop

Each apartment includes:

  • Two ceiling-mounted smoke detectors
  • Two StoveTop FireStop fire suppressors

Do not tamper with or remove these devices. Contact management if any issue arises.

Conservation & Utility Savings

Small habits can significantly reduce your monthly utility expenses.

Water

  • Keep showers under 5 minutes.
  • Repair leaks promptly.
  • Turn off water while brushing teeth or shaving.

Electricity

  • Raise thermostat 5–6° when away.
  • Use fans to circulate air.
  • Close shades during hot days.
  • Turn off lights and electronics when not in use.

Heating (Natural Gas)

  • Lower thermostat slightly in winter.
  • Allow sunlight in during the day.
  • Lock windows to ensure proper seal.

Living at King & Queen Apartments

King & Queen Apartments offers thoughtfully renovated one-bedroom apartments in the heart of Downtown Williamsburg — next to the College of William & Mary and close to local dining, shops, and transit.

Designed for undergraduates, graduate students, and young professionals, our apartments combine:

  • Renovated interiors
  • Private one-bedroom layouts
  • Efficient design
  • Prime downtown location

If you have questions or would like to schedule a private tour, contact us today.