METRO
Published 17 Years
Professional Publishing, Inc
www.RentalHousing Journal.com
PORTLAND & VANCOUVER
October 2013
Get Social With The Landlord Times
Monthly Circulation To More Than 20,000 In Portland/Vancouver Apartment Owners, Property Managers, On-Site & Maintenance Personnel Published in association with: METRO Multifamily Housing Association; Rental Housing Association of Oregon; IREM & Clark County Rental Association
Fair Housing Case Brought & EPA Takes Action on Lead Violations By Jo Becker, Education/Outreach Specialist, Fair Housing Council
Discriminating against families with children – even in pre-1978 properties that have lead – can also cost you! It is illegal under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA)1 to deny housing to otherwise qualified families with children (or otherwise treat them differently in any way) simply because there are children in the household, unless the housing provider is exempt as a “designated senior community. The Renovation, Repair and Painting rule protects homeowners and tenants from dangerous lead dust that can be left behind after common renovation, repair, and painting work. It requires that contractors and subcontractors be properly trained and certified, and use Continued on page 3
A Personal Board of Directors… Do You Have One?
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by Ernest F. Oriente, The Coach {Article #211…since 1995}
roperty management is rapidly changing, and you are faced with more decisions then ever before. Today’s fast-paced lifestyles create information overload. During your lifetime, you will have 10 or 15 major decisions and another 25-30 semi-major decisions. Developing a Personal Board of Directors will help you make great decisions and this article will tell you exactly how to implement this important idea. Once in place, you will never look back! Developing your Personal Board: Let’s start with the obvious. Your Personal Board of Directors might include: a doctor as a health/medical resource, a CPA for tax advice, an attorney for legal guidance, a banker for financial guidance and a priest/ rabbi/deacon for spiritual support. Here are some of the less obvious: a Professional Publishing, Inc PO Box 30327 Portland, OR 97294-3327
sales and marketing professional, a public relations expert, a business coach, a child care specialist, a human resource professional, a webmaster for Internet guidance, a property management professional three levels above you, an executive in an unrelated industry to property management and/or a business owner in the property management industry but not a competitor, based on geography or your resident profile. Tip From The Coach: Think of a Personal Board as your “inner circle”, as each person on your Board will share in very important information about your personal and professional life. Carefully consider every individual you invite to be on your Personal Board, as they should be selected and remain on your Personal Board for the rest of your life. You can always make changes
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to the people on your Personal Board, but richness comes from working together during good times and bad. Like a great bottle of wine, proper “aging” of your Personal Board will give it fullness, maturity and increasing value. Working with your Personal Board: Once you have formed your Personal Board, the next step is to make a list of the ways your Personal Board can assist and support your success. Some examples of professional and personal topics to discuss with your Personal Board: a new career, the start of a new business, advancement in your property management company, the relocation of your family for professional or personal reasons, how to handle a problem employee or supplier problem, life and legacy planning, your children and their development, financial planning, and the health of your marriage, just to name a few. You see, your Personal Board will be a rich resource to you in many ways, so long as you speak truthfully with them and are open to their specific advice and feedback. Continued on page 3
What Renters Want By Katie Poole
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utting yourself in the tenants shoes may not be something you’ve done often, if ever. As our clients, it’s very important to know what tenants want and what will make your best residents rent long-term. High tenant satisfaction can not only enhance retention and occupancy rates, but also lower expenses and improve your bottom line. With so much riding on the satisfaction of your tenants, it is critically important to stay close to their priorities, perceptions and concerns. To be heard is a universal human need, and our tenants are no exception. Treat an existing tenant the way you’d treat a new one. From the first meeting through the end of the tenancy, practice active listening. This means don’t interrupt them, maintain eye contact when in person, acknowledge what they’ve said and repeat back what you’ve heard to make sure they feel understood. Take an interest in each resident’s business and stay in touch with them regularly, not just when they complain or it’s time for a renewal. When a tenant calls to Continued on page 5
Page 2 MultiFamily NW – President's Letter D&Z Page 3 Time to Convert a Retail Prop... Page 6 Dear Maintenance Men Page 7 The Multifamily Footprint... Page 8 Shoptalk Page 9 Portland Market Overview Page 12 Ask The Energy Expert Page 14 Clark County Rental Association – President's Message Page 15 IREM Event