Tag Archives: maintenance
Failure to Properly Plug In Carbon Monoxide Detector Leads to a Fatality in Colorado Springs Apartment
Posted on 13. Nov, 2012 by Bryan Ives.
Colder temperatures mean an increase in the use of furnaces, which in this particular case turned deadly.
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Time to Winterize Your Property
Posted on 02. Nov, 2012 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
It’s that time again. Shorter days and cooler nights mean winter is not too far away. Unless your properties are in the Bahamas (lucky you), it’s time to prepare for the winter months.
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Energy Efficient Window Shades and Blinds
Posted on 23. Jul, 2012 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
While it’s important for renters to practice energy conservation in their apartment homes, there are numerous things that property managers can do in order to conserve energy on a larger scale. Remember, window coverings, while decorative, also provide an important function, serving as a barrier to outside heat in the summer, while keeping heat inside during the winter.
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Gardening Dispute Turns Violent
Posted on 28. Jun, 2012 by Bryan Ives.
A homeowner in Laguna Niguel, CA was allegedly attacked by his gardener, Francisco Calderonfarias, due to a dispute over the quality of his work.
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Smart Controllers to Reduce Utility Usage
Posted on 19. Jun, 2012 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
If you think these restrictions force you to choose between dry, burnt landscaping and expensive penalties, you haven’t looked at the newest irrigation systems available. We’ve all seen the systems of the past; rain pouring down while the sprinkler system continues to pump water onto saturated land, resulting in a large amount of water waste.
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Helpful Property Management Maintenance Tips
Posted on 03. Apr, 2012 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
Of all of the reasons why tenants leave, (other than relocating in another area or buying a house) inadequate maintenance is right at the top. There aren’t many people that would put up with a ceiling leaking for days, or a toilet that won’t work, or a faucet that constantly drips.
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Study Reveals Pattern on Furnishings Can Induce Dizziness
Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by Bryan Ives.
A particular design on some furnishings could have you feeling like you need to sit down or even get out of the room entirely.
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The Importance of Property Maintenance, Part 2
Posted on 09. Jan, 2012 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
If you find yourself neglecting the small items, you’ll soon be on the hot seat for more expensive repairs. Building managers can find themselves with a run-down, in-desperate-need-of-repair building a lot sooner that they think.
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Always Ask Residents if Something Needs Fixing
Posted on 20. Dec, 2011 by Lisa Trosien.
I remember when I first started in the apartment industry, someone told me to always ask my residents if there was anything in their apartment that needed fixing.
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The Importance of Routine Maintenance
Posted on 12. Dec, 2011 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
With marketing activity being ramped up in a tough rental market, property managers are sometimes guilty of neglecting property maintenance. Warning: you do so at your own risk.
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Energy Benchmarking Program to Include Multifamily Housing in Seattle
Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by Bryan Ives.
The owners of around 8,000 buildings in Seattle, Washington were recently notified that they are now required to take part in the city’s Building Energy Benchmarking and Reporting program.
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Maintenance Manners Matter
Posted on 16. Aug, 2011 by Lisa Trosien.
Have you ever had your maintenance team members trained on the maintenance of the residents at your property? While it is critically important that your staff be able to correctly repair items like dishwashers, stoves and disposals, it’s also essential that they be able to repair and maintain relationships with your residents.
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DNA testing for Dog Poop
Posted on 19. Jul, 2011 by Nora Betz.
Property managers are getting fed up with irresponsible dog owners who do not pick up their dog’s poop on the property. A New Hampshire apartment community is requiring residents to hand over a DNA sample for their pet.
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What Property Managers Should Not Cut Back On In a Tough Economy
Posted on 12. Jul, 2011 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
In my previous article, Ways Property Managers Can Survive a Tough Economy, I discussed some areas where property managers can cut back in a tough economy in order to save some money without compromising the quality of their business. Here are some areas that you never want to cut back or skimp.
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Dangerous Hogweed Plant in New York State
Posted on 08. Jul, 2011 by Nora Betz.
Hogweed is a plant that when in contact with people, can cause dangerous burns, blisters and scars. The plant originated in Asia and was brought to the United States and is now spreading quickly. New York State has set up a hotline for people to call so that officials can destroy the invasive species. It is advised that property managers alert their residents of the dangers of Hogweed if you suspect that they may be at risk.
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Property Manager on Trial for Carbon Monoxide Deaths
Posted on 05. May, 2011 by Nora Betz.
On Monday, the McDaniel family was found dead in their rental home in Toledo, Ohio after being poisoned by carbon monoxide fumes during the night as they ran a space heater powered by a portable generator in the kitchen.
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Property Managers Receive Free “Energy Review” and Save Money
Posted on 29. Mar, 2011 by Marc Courtenay.
There might not any “free lunches”, but hundreds of utility companies around the nation are offering free consultations and reviews on how to stop wasting both energy and money. The idea is to figure out how to use less energy and yet make your rental properties more comfortable for residents at a meaningful saving in costs.
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Preparing Your Properties for Winter
Posted on 09. Dec, 2010 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
Depending on where your properties are located, you may find yourself spending weeks preparing them for the cold winter months. Even those in more temperate climates will need to do some basic housekeeping in order to keep maintenance calls in check.
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Five Easy Ways to Give Your Rentals More Curb Appeal
Posted on 09. Nov, 2010 by Marc Courtenay.
If your rental properties make a great first impression then potential residents will want to see what’s on the inside. This article will focus on rental properties with five units or less, and is especially applicable for rental houses.
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Property Management with Pizzaz: Properties That Attract Residents
Posted on 17. Aug, 2010 by Marc Courtenay.
We all want to attract good residents to the properties we manage. We can begin attracting quality residents by thinking like a resident thinks. A quality resident wants to live in a property that makes a positive, first impression.
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Bedbugs, Coming To A City Near You
Posted on 05. Aug, 2010 by Jonathan Brownfield.
The largest bedbug survey ever conducted suggests that bedbugs have become more prevalent throughout the country, not just New York City.
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Oregon Carbon Monoxide Legislation
Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Jonathan Brownfield.
Oregon’s Lofgren and Zander Memorial Act (House Bill 3450) went into effect Thursday, July 1. The new law requires Oregon properties to install carbon monoxide detectors if the property is sold or rented after July 1, 2010.
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Tips for Residential Property Managers Who Specialize in Single-Family Homes
Posted on 15. Jul, 2010 by Mary Girsch-Bock.
The typical multi-unit property manager usually has a solid system in place for managing their rentals. But what about the management companies who specialize in single family home rentals? How do their needs vary from the multi-unit property manager?
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Upgrade Your Properties with Local Art
Posted on 07. Jun, 2010 by Heather Blume.
I was an art student once, and I will tell you straight up that if you want something that will generate traffic, give you something to start conversations with, and will just plain out do those pictures your walls are currently sporting, college aged art students are about to become your best friends. Why? Because they need a venue to show their work.
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Technology Trends: What Residents Want (eBook)
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Always Get It In Writing And In The Lease
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Avoiding Craigslist Scams
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How To Cultivate New Clients In “The Garden Of Property Management”
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NARPM Florida State Chapter Property Manager Conference 2012
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Marc Courtenay: Thanks for your comment. Please consider sharing t...
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Ryan @ Green Bay Commercial Real Estate: At least in our market (Green Bay) it seems to be ...
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Tammy Davis: Great Advice!...
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Sandy: I have strong doubts that this was a professional ...
