Managers are some of the most critical team members in any company offering property management services. Just like any other company, safety and security of your team should always be top priority.
The roles assigned to managers, including showing properties and homes to strangers, is somewhat unsafe when you think about it, and property managers are expected to perform their duties as well as take precautions to minimize risks that come with the job.
Below are 10 safety tips that our property managers at Barker Realty follow before going into the field, which we’d like to share with you.
1. Gather Information about the Client
Collecting information before meeting any client is crucial. The info might reveal whether a client poses any threat or has any ill motive towards you or your company. Proper screening of clients can help you collect relevant client information.
2. Meet Clients at the Office
The first meeting with a client should always be at the company offices. You get first impressions and get to judge their character. Collecting information about a potential client including where they work and their current home address will be more comfortable in the office.
3. Be Cautious
Always leave valuables at homes or the workplace. Also, avoid giving too much personal information to your client.
4. Follow Company Financial Policy
Always let clients know the company financial policy. Rent and security deposits should be paid directly to the company’s bank accounts. Also, avoid handling too much cash in front of a client.
5. Be Assertive
If you feel uncomfortable around a client, excuse yourself. Get to a safe place and inform a trusted co-worker. In this business, it’s recommendable that you always trust your instincts.
6. Maintain a Good Relationship with Co-Workers
Always ensure you have someone on standby who knows your schedules for the day. A trusted colleague or your boss may prove very helpful. In case of you don’t return on time, they will know how to locate you.
7. Always Play Safe
Avoid going into basements, attics or closets. Open the door to a room, allow clients to go first as you follow them behind.
8. Let Clients Know Your Schedule
If you have other appointments, let your clients know that other people are expecting you. Show your client how important your job is to you in a friendly way.
9. Use Surveillance Equipment
Install CCTV cameras on your office premises. Cameras will be useful for facial recognition of clients who walk in out of the office premises. Surveillance adds protection the property by identifying threats fast.
10. Attend Training Seminars
Most companies that offer property management services have safety and work conduct seminars. Attend these workshops to improve your knowledge base.
If you have additional questions or looking for an excellent property management service provider, look no further. Request an appointment today with our Apex property managers full of experience and expertise, especially when it comes to remaining safe in the field.
Whether you constructed or bought the property you own, you understand how huge an investment it is. This is why you will spare no effort to ensure that your property is in good condition at all times. With regular property inspections throughout the year, you will not only ascertain the structural integrity of the building but will also have a chance to correct any defects in a timely manner so as to protect your asset. Even though you may have property managers, here are some other benefits of property inspections.
1. Documentation of Property Condition
Annual property inspections will give you a great opportunity to document lease violations at your property or unreported damage. By hiring a qualified professional to do the job, we will not only check for tenant damages but we will also assess the overall condition of the property.
2. Check & Improve Owner Liability
When you own property, regular inspections will help you be sure that your investment is safe and in good condition. Once you have had a professional property inspection done, you will easily establish whether appliances, such as smoke detectors & CO2 detectors, are in perfect working condition. As a property owner, you will have fulfilled your responsibility of a well maintained environment for all occupants of the building.
3. Avoid Deferred Maintenance
While your property management company may inform you of areas that need repairs and maintenance, there is a good chance that some specific areas will be overlooked. By addressing any structural issues in good time, you will not only avoid deferred maintenance and repairs but will also save a significant amount of money.
4. Validate Insurance Policies
In some cases, landlord insurance may demand that annual property inspections be carried out on your property. If you fail to do the inspections within the stipulated timeframe, you may risk losing coverage or getting the policy invalidated. This is why you should arrange for property inspections to comply with the requirements of your insurance policy.
5. Increase Tenant Retention
When you make sure that the structural integrity of your building is maintained, you will ensure that your tenants feel cared for. When they feel safe, this may help you to retain them, building a relationship for a considerable period of time. In the long run, you may enjoy higher and consistent return on your rental property.
Hiring a local Cary property management company like Barker Realty will also help to add value to your property. It is advisable to take time before settling on the property managers that will meet your needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with property ownership.
Many homes sustain extensive damage during the harsh winter months. Your Raleigh rental property, however, doesn’t have to be one of them. Prepare for the worst and avoid costly repairs with the following winter real estate maintenance tips.
Clean out the gutters
Leaves and debris can block water and allow it to pool. Then, when the cold hits, it freezes, causing your gutters to warp and crack. Therefore, be sure to clean your gutters one last time before winter comes. You may also want to disconnect and drain your garden hoses after doing so
Take time to insulate
An important aspect of winter property maintenance is insulating and sealing your home so that heat can’t escape. Be sure to caulk any holes in your walls; apply weather stripping to your doors and windows; and seal any seams. Make sure that you fully insulate your attic or basement as well.
Inspect and fix the roof
A key component of your real estate maintenance schedule should be roof inspection and repairs. You don’t want to discover a leaky roof in the middle of a heavy storm! It may also be a good idea to remove nearby tree branches that could fall and weigh down the roof’s surface.
Wrap up your pipes
A broken or burst pipe can cause extensive property damage. Insulation sleeves are a simple, affordable option that can help you avoid a disaster and overall headache. If you are a Raleigh property manager, advise your tenants to leave the faucets dripping overnight when temperatures sink below freezing.
Need Raleigh property management help? Call Barker Realty
These winter property maintenance tips can help you stay warm and cozy when storms come. If you need any help or assistance, Barker Realty and our sister company, Barker Property Maintenance, are just a call away. Our professionally certified plumbers, electricians and general contractors are always available to assist your residential, commercial, or rental property needs.
Barker Realty proudly serves the Wake County area, including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Fuquay Varina, Clayton, Knightdale, Garner, Holly Springs, Zebulon, and Wendell.
At Barker Realty, we have been managing rental properties in the Triangle area since 1984. In 1996, Barker Property Maintenance Company was formed as a sister company to Barker Realty. While this is a separate company that functions on its own, it offers a quick and affordable resource for our property managers and the owners with which they work. Today, we would like to share a few ways we handle maintenance issues for our property owners.
One way to avoid large expenses is through preventative maintenance measures. At Barker Realty, we offer periodic maintenance services, such as gutter cleaning, filter changes, and annual service contracts for your heating and air conditioning systems. We also offer annual under-house inspections as well.
Property Maintenance Accountability
Through our maintenance company, we are able to provide more accountability to our property owners. Whether one of our staff technicians or a vendor is working on your home, everything we do is warranted by Barker Property Maintenance Company. Our technicians offer feedback and recommendations when they’re servicing your property, because preserving the condition of your property is important to us. When we work with an outside vendor, we require that they be licensed and insured. This provides additional protection for you and your investment.
Raleigh Property Management: Our Availability
Our maintenance team is available and accessible 24/7 for after-hour emergencies. One of our technicians will speak directly with your tenant and if possible, walk them through the remediation of the problem. This may mitigate any damage to your property and save you money on potentially expensive after-hours repair work.
Like any other structure, your rental needs ongoing maintenance to keep it in good condition and to ensure it retains its value. Summer is a great time to get some critical things done. Use this summer rental maintenance checklist from our experienced property managers in Apex.
Exterior of the Building
Rental maintenance on the outside of the building is important for maintaining property value.
Clean out gutters and downspouts. The removal of debris from the gutters will help keep water from spilling over into the yard, driveway, doorway, patios, etc. Keep the downspouts open is also just as important so water can flow smoothly away from the home or property foundation.
Have your chimney and fireplace inspected. If you have a gas or wood burning fireplace, it’s vital to have these appliances inspected annually, especially if you are burning and using frequently. The Fall is the best time to have this done, so you’re ready for the colder months ahe ad.
HVAC inspections also are key. We recommend having your HVAC inspected as well, especially after a long hot summer. This will ensure the furnace and units can heat your home and property efficiently.
Pressure wash the exterior. This will remove layers of dust and bird droppings. It will give the property an instant facelift while also uncovering any other problems lurking under the dirt.
Inspect the siding. Look for loose pieces of siding. If you have wood siding, look for signs of rot like deteriorating wood or bubbling paint. Have repairs made if needed.
Check the brick. If the exterior is brick, look for places where the mortar may be deteriorating. You may need to have it tuckpointed.
Check the foundation. Cracks allow water, insects, and radon to come into the basement or crawlspace. Leaks can cause the foundation to deteriorate and can even undermine the structure of the house.
Repair and paint the outside as needed. You don’t need to paint every year. However, if the paint is faded, chipped or cracked, it is time to bring out the paintbrushes.
Other Maintenance
There are other summer rental maintenance jobs that you need to do to keep your rental property in good condition.
Have the HVAC system checked and serviced. You need that unit to last as long as possible. Annual maintenance is key to making that happen.
Clean the dryer vent. If your tenants have a dryer, make sure the vent is clear. A clogged dryer vent is a fire waiting to happen.
Fill cracks on the sidewalk or driveway. Cracks are a tripping hazard, plus you want to keep the concrete or asphalt from deteriorating further.
At Barker Realty, our property managers in Apex use this checklist to keep their properties in great shape and are attentive to any needs from both landlords and tenants to maintain a presentable, and functional property. Get in touch with us for more information or to discuss your rental properties with our team to help you manage your investments.
As a property owner, you are probably already aware that service animals must be accommodated in all public property, including rental property. However, since the line between “service animal” and “therapy animal” can be a bit blurred, upholding accommodation laws can be a bit confusing. Here’s everything you need to know about having service animals in your apartment complex, condo unit, or rental home.
Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) classifies a service animal as a dog—not any other animal—that is trained to perform tasks for a disabled person (defined as someone with “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.”) Importantly, the dog must be trained to take a specific action to assist its owner; for example, alerting a diabetic that his or her blood sugar levels are too low.
An “emotional support animal”, however, does not take a specific action to assist its owner. So, for instance, if a dog is trained to sense a panic attack, and bring the owner medication or a phone, it is legally defined as a service animal. But if the dog merely helps provide therapeutic comfort through its presence, it is not considered as a service animal under the ADA or Fair Housing Act.
Many animal rights groups encourage pet owners to obtain a doctor’s note stating that they have a medical need for an emotional support animal. However, the ADA is firm on the fact that a doctor’s note does not turn a companion animal into a service animal. While emotional support animals, comfort animals, or therapy animals are often used to relieve loneliness, depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, they are not protected as service animals unless they have been specifically trained to perform a task for a disabled person. Medical conditions such as anxiety and depression, while serious, are usually not considered disabilities.
Service Animals and the Fair Housing Act
Importantly, if a person is disabled, it does not matter if the animal is a service or companion animal. Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities so that they have an equal opportunity to enjoy and use a dwelling. In cases when a person with a disability uses an emotional support animal, a reasonable accommodation may include waiving a no-pet rule or a pet deposit.
Property owners may not ask a housing applicant about the existence, nature, and extent of his or her disability. However, an individual with a disability who requests a reasonable accommodation may be asked to certify, in writing, (1) that the tenant or a member of his or her family is a person with a disability; (2) the need for the animal to assist the person with that specific disability; and (3) that the animal actually assists the person with a disability.
Need Help Managing Your Raleigh Investment Property?
Hopefully, these tips will help you be fully ADA compliant when it comes to the subject of service animals. However, it’s important to remember that laws vary from state to state, and decisions can always be challenged or disputed, so if you have any confusion in this area it’s best to hire legal counsel. If you need help managing your Raleigh investment property or tenants, contact Barker Realty today.
