Many people are leery of changes, moves or disruptions to their routines during COVID-19 and with good reason. Information may be difficult to distill from regular news sources, so here are seven tips to help you manage a property during this crisis.
Routine Maintenance
There are many routine maintenance activities that must be taken care of regardless of the current pandemic. Garbage must be removed, landscaping tended, and clogged sinks need attention. All the routine jobs that keep your property in good shape can continue to be done with certain precautions.
Create a schedule and let tenants know when someone will be cutting the grass or cleaning public areas of the building. This way contact can be avoided between personnel and tenants. And if someone is moving into the building, it’s important to communicate very clearly during this time.
Showings
Managing a property requires that you show prospective tenants the various spaces that are available to rent.
The safest method is to use digital tools. Use your smartphone to create a virtual walk-through. If a prospective tenant expresses real interest you can text, email or speak to them and find out specific areas they would like to see virtually or take them on an individual tour using FaceTime.
Seriously interested parties can arrange to visit the property in person. Sanitize all touchpoint areas of the home before and after their visit and if you will be there to guide them continue to wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) and ask them to do the same.
Communicate with Tenants
Whether you’re in a COVID-19 hotspot like some luxurious Chicago neighborhoods or a rural area with very few cases, current and new tenants will want to be notified of any changes regarding their homes. If amenities are closed because they could pose a health risk, make sure to get that information to everyone in clear, concise language.
Work out rooms and swimming pools are two areas that potentially involve close contact and potential viral spread. If you would like to make certain amenities available to your tenants, figure out a schedule and a cleaning system that reduces contact between people and sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. Continuous updates, with good and bad news, should be given to residents on a weekly basis.
This assures them that you are mindful of their health. Include links to sites with more information, like the CDC. Send information to tenants using mail, email, texts, and bulletin boards. Let everyone know what additional precautions and procedures are being used to keep everyone healthy.
Protocols for COVID-19 Emergencies
It is a fact that people can carry and spread COVID-19 and never feel ill themselves. Asymptomatic spread is perhaps the most dangerous method of spread because a person does not realize that they are a threat. In the event someone in a building you manage does become ill there are certain legal guidelines you must follow. Though it may seem like a good idea to notify everyone that the person living in unit 2314 has become sick, legally you cannot do this.
Disclosure of such information is a violation of federal privacy laws and can subject you to liability. While there are no mandatory federal guidelines for protocol in this situation, there are guidelines from the CDC, local and state health departments.
There also may be terms suggested in the lease which require a landlord or property manager to notify all remaining tenants of a health threat. Most landlords follow similar guides and protocols, so communication should be very detailed.
Residents should be warned that a co-tenant, employee, or vendor has become infected and has been encouraged to self-isolate. Follow up with reminders to continue to practice precautionary hygiene procedures and limit contact with other people.
Requests from Tenants
Although you may want to limit contact between staff and tenants there are times when an incident requires immediate attention.
Think plumbing. Not only could a plumbing issue be inconvenient for the resident, but this type of issue can also cause serious damage to one or more units.
When something like this occurs make sure to prepare your staff with all necessary PPE to mitigate possible contamination from close contact with a tenant. Assure the tenant that all safety precautions are being taken and if possible, ask the tenant to leave the apartment while the issue is addressed.
Monitor Personnel
It is incumbent upon you to provide a safe work environment for your employees. Taking temperatures before working, asking questions about employees’ contacts and how they are feeling are completely acceptable if your employees are aware of the procedures. Avoiding becoming a virus hot spot is beneficial to you, your employees, and your tenants.
Be Nice
The old saying, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” is always appropriate. Be nice to your employees during these demanding times. You depend on them to keep your buildings running smoothly. Your employees should be your allies in the fight to keep buildings and grounds safe for everyone. Hand out a small bonus periodically. It could be cash or a grocery store gift card — really anything that shows you appreciate the work they do.
With a little kindness and diligent sanitizing, you can easily maintain your properties with safety during COVID-19.
Position Realty
Office: 480-213-5251
