Apartment News April 2015

The official publication of the Arizona Multihousing Association

NEWS

BREATH OF FRESH AIR Protecting residents through smoke-free housing

BEST PRACTICES Q&A WITH TOM CONNELL

APRIL/MAY 2015

> Celebrating 2015 Tributes finalists > Alliance Residential honored with RED AWARD

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WELCOME LETTERS

Enjoying spring Leading the way

O

ur Association, and its members, represent the best of the multifamily industry. Our commitment to providing safe, quality housing to millions in Arizona drives us to protect our operations at the Legislature, at the city levels, and on properties, and we do this in a myriad of ways.

Last year, we were tapped to pursue a major contract with the Maricopa County Department of Health Services to help connect multifamily communities to Arizona Smoke-Free Living and the benefits of moving toward smoke-free living. The County understood how the AMA is uniquely positioned to connect the program to Arizona’s leading multihousing operators across the state, and how to reach decision makers. This partnership with the county, nonprofits, health organizations, senior programs and so many others are leading the way to create healthier, safer communities across Arizona.

Our board of directors felt strongly that our association should lead the way nationally with these efforts. We are the first NAA affiliate to secure a Grant on this issue. The funding comes from state tobacco taxes for education and program implementation. Soon we will see Los Angeles and Florida associations follow, and then this movement will continue across the country.

There’s no dispute about the health benefits of a smokefree community, and more and more, we see public opinion continues to move in this direction. For our industry, the benefits will be financial as well. Studies have shown that renters prefer to live in smokefree communities; even those who are smokers often prefer these communities.

There may be savings in insurance and fire protection, and faster lease-ups of nonsmoking units.

You’ll be hearing more about our Arizona Smoke-Free Living programs over the coming years and we look forward to working with each of you on this issue.

— Tom Simplot, AMA President

S

pring in Arizona showcases the best of our state; Spring Training, Spring Break, and Spring weather! As we all enjoy more outside activities, I appreciate how our recent efforts around the Smoke Free Arizona initiative will provide all Arizonans the opportunity of clean spring air long into the future.

Dunlap & Magee is moving smoke-free apartment and community living forward as quickly as possible. We are all aware of the immediate health benefits and commitment to better the world for the next generation.

The added benefits of reduced turnover costs, improved fire prevention, and increased cash flow makes this movement hard to ignore. I am proud to announce the Arizona Multihousing Association is leading this cause in Arizona and nationally. Join our voice as we lead the industry into a better future.

Please take an additional moment to reflect on this busy legislative session. The Arizona Multihousing Association continues to educate cities, counties and the legislature about your industry issues. This education doesn’t stop at the end of session and must remain active throughout the year. This consistent pursuit to have our voice heard is supported through AMAPAC, our political action committee.

The resources available from your personal donations are used to advocate and campaign for industry causes. The Legal Initiative Mobilization Fund (LIMF) permits this same advocacy through your corporate funded donations.

I urge you to continue your investments in our industry.

— Christine E. Shipley, AMA Board Chair, Dunlap & Magee

ENJOY ALL OF THE BENEFITS OF AMA MEMBERSHIP - CALL AMY AT 602-296-6209 TO JOIN TODAY. 4

Apartment News > April/May 2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Apartment News > April/May 2015 > www.azama.org 12

Valleywide Service

ALL PHASES OF PEST CONTROL

28

• Monthly Pest Control Programs • Termite Specialists/ FREE Est.

16 Reading the smoke signals

DEPARTMENTS

Protecting residents through smoke-free housing

20 Celebrating the Tributes!

AMA’s annual recognition of the best and the brightest.

8 News &

Happenings 10 Legislative Update 13 Legally Speaking 22 Events & Education 24 Best Practices 26 On the Scene 28 Focus on Tucson 30 Thank You Patron Members

AMA Main Office 818 N. 1st St., Phoenix, AZ 85004; 602-296-6200; Fax:602-296-6178 AMA Tucson Office 660 S. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716; 520-323-0643; Fax: 520-323-3399

AMA STAFF Tom Simplot President & CEO tsimplot@azama.org James Tunnell Vice President jtunnell@azama.org 602-296-6212 Erika Kowalski Director of Operations ekowalski@azama.org 602-296-6210 Michelle Rill Manager of Major Events mrill@azama.org 602-296-6205 Robert Schmitz Manager of Community Outreach & Education rschmitz@azama.org 602-296-6204

AMA TUCSON STAFF Desi Brinkman Operations & Membership Coordinator dbrinkman@azama.org 602-296-6203 Stephanie Garcia Community Outreach & Education Coordinator sgarcia@azama.org 602-296-6208

Cathy Wagner Tucson Member Consultant cwagner@azama.org 520-323-0643

Amy Hindenlang Membership Administrator ahindenlang@azama.org 602-296-6209

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING www.housingaz.com

Kyle Simplot Accounting Assistant kyles@azama.org 602-296-6207

ARIZONA LANDLORD TENANT ACT http://bit.ly/1oYUoTA

Todd Bradford Membership Benefit Services Consultant tbradford@azama.org 602-377-2553

Sharon Hosfeld Smoke Free Community Coordinator/ Government Affairs Analyst Cassidy Campana shosfeld@azama.org Apartment News Editor 602-296-6214 & Communications Consultant ccampana@azama.org 602-770-6014 CREATED BY REPUBLIC MEDIA CUSTOM PUBLISHING

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AMA NEWS & HAPPENINGS

ABOVE: Jake Hinman, Scott Clark, Dale Phillips, Robert Hicks, Amy Smith, Senator Jeff Flake, Tom Simplot, John Carlson

Alliance honored with RED Awards for Best Multifamily Project 2014 One of the Valley’s premier real estate awards ceremonies took place in late February. Ten RED awards were presented by AZRE and AZ Big Media to the most notable commercial real estate developments of 2014. Alliance Residential’s Broadstone Lincoln received the best multifamily project award at the event.

The RED Awards recognized not only the incredible amenities, finishes and design of the development, but this is Alliance’s second LEED Platinum development in the nation.

BROADSTONE LINCOLN Developer: Alliance Residential Company Contractor: Alliance Residential Builders Architect: ORB Architecture, LLC Size: 219KSF Location: Paradise Valley Completed: June 2014 Source: AZRE

LEFT: Marc Shuman, Tom Simplot, Congressman Ruben Gallego, Scott Clark, Greg Morehead

AMA DC TRIP

Our AMA delegates and lobbyists enjoyed a successful and productive Capitol Conference in Washington D.C.

NAA celebrates National Multifamily Day on April 7 NAA held its first National Multifamily Day on Tuesday, April 7! NAA members across the nation gathered with their industry friends and colleagues to recognize the success and growth of the apartment industry and spread the word about the exciting upcoming 2015 NAA Education Conference & Exposition to take place June 24-27 in Las Vegas.

CORT and Restoration Affiliates, both Platinum sponsors for the 2015 NAA Education Conference & Exposition, have offered to sponsor a social gathering in several cities! So far there are 25 confirmed gatherings.

Share your thoughts

The NAA also wants to hear why you love being in the multi-family housing industry. Share your thoughts using the hashtag #multifamily day on major social media platforms.

Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services opens Denver office Phoenix-based Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services recently announced the opening of their third regional office to be located in Denver, Colorado.

This new office will manage the company’s existing 1,000-unit portfolio in central Colorado, and also they expect to be accepting new management assignments throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Founded in 1984, the company

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Apartment News > April/May 2015

currently manages a portfolio across five states with more than 18,000 units owned by a variety of institutional and private equity clients.

The current portfolio in Colorado is being supervised by long-time industry veteran Nicole Hildebrand. With more than 20 years of experience, Nicole is well known throughout Colorado and previously held regional positions with JRK Realty and Riverstone.

Allison-Shelton Principal Tom Shelton noted: “Nicole is the perfect fit for our company as we aggressively expand our existing portfolio throughout Colorado and the western United States. Her operational experience provides another valuable resource to our clients and we are confident they will benefit quickly from Nicole’s insights and expertise.”

www.azama.org

480.963.3416

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Arizona legislature nears halfway point Three AMA bills make their way through the process

By Courtney LeVinus and Jake Hinman, Capitol Consulting

T

he Arizona legislature has been back to work for roughly 50 days and so far nearly 1,200 bills have been introduced by lawmakers. Believe it or not, this is actually the typical number of bills that we see over the course of the 100day session, and of those, 25 percent of the bills will make Courtney LeVinus their way to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

So, even in this Republican-controlled legislature, we will likely see 300 or so new laws take effect. In fairness to the Republicans, many, if not most, of the bills introduced are aimed at reducing (perceived) regulatory burden and governmental overreach; the AMA’s three proactive bills certainly fit into the latter category.

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SB1079

SB1072

The AMA’s first proactive bill, SB1079 (solid waste collection; multifamily housing), will allow multi-family operators to choose a private solid waste service provider (instead of a municipal service). The bill, sponsored by Senator Gail Griffin (R-Hereford), passed the full Senate with bipartisan support (24 ayes, 5 nays, 1 not voting) and is awaiting action in the House. If passed, multi-family operators in the cities of Casa Grande, Flagstaff, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Sierra Vista and others will be able to choose the most cost-effective private (or municipal) solid waste and recycling service provider on or after July 1, 2016.

The AMA’s second proactive bill, SB1072 (local planning; residential housing; prohibitions) sponsored by Senator Steve Smith (R-Maricopa), will prohibit inclusionary zoning ordinances in Arizona.

SB1072 passed out of the Senate (26 ayes, 3 nays, 1 not voting) with bipartisan support as well. Inclusionary zoning ordinances adopted by municipalities require land owners and developers to set aside a certain percentage of housing units in new or rehabilitated projects for low- and moderate-income residents. Since cities in Arizona are already prohibited from adopting “rent control” ordinances, SB1072 is a clean-up bill to strengthen existing statutes. www.azama.org

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AMA HOTLIST

The following is a list of bills that the AMA is currently monitoring and/or is actively engaged in the passage or defeat of the measure. The status of any bill may have changed since the printing of this publication.

HB2189: Housing discrimination; prohibition SPONSOR: Rep. Stefanie Mach, D-Tucson AMA POSITION: No position, monitor STATUS: Dead, failed to receive committee hearing SUMMARY: The list of attributes for which a person cannot be discriminated against in practices related to the sale or rental of housing, including providing real estate and brokerage services, is expanded to include gender, gender identity or expression or sexual orientation.

HB2253: Property tax assessments; one-year cycle SPONSOR: Rep. Darin Mitchell, R-Litchfield Park AMA POSITION: No position, monitor STATUS: Passed committee, awaiting action in the House SUMMARY: Numerous changes relating to property tax assessment processes, including modifying the definition of “valuation date” to mean January 1 of the year in which taxes are levied for property valued by the county assessor. Various deadlines relating to the property tax valuation process are modified. The Department of Revenue is required to conduct sales-ratio studies and issue equalization orders to the county assessor for areas identified as inconsistent with the valuation directives, rules and guidelines issued by the Dept. Changes to sections of statute related to the valuation of assessed property become effective January 1, 2017. Changes to sections of statute related to the assessment process become effective January 1, 2018.

HB2254 Finally, the AMA’s third proactive bill, sponsored by Representative Darin Mitchell (R-Litchfield Park), has quite possibly become one of the more controversial bills of the legislative session. HB2254 (municipal tax exemption; residential lease), if passed, would eliminate residential renter’s tax in Arizona over the course of five years. At time of publication, the bill was awaiting a full vote of the Arizona House of Representatives.

Renter’s tax is often compared to a food tax for its regressive characteristics. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a regressive tax is a tax that takes a www.azama.org

HB2279/HB2023: Housing Trust Fund; unclaimed property SPONSOR: Rep. Lela Alston, D-Phoenix / Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, R- Phoenix AMA POSITION: Support STATUS: Dead, failed to receive committee hearing SUMMARY: The amount of proceeds from the sale of abandoned property that are deposited in the Housing Trust Fund each fiscal year is changed to 55 percent of the proceeds, instead of $2.5 million.

HB2382: Low-income housing; property tax SPONSOR: Rep. Justin Olson, R-Mesa AMA POSITION: No position, monitor STATUS: Dead, failed to receive committee hearing SUMMARY: Allows an owner of low-income housing to elect a statutory income method for valuing the property by submitting specified information to the county assessor.

HB2447: Striker: real property managers; consolidated returns SPONSOR: Rep. Justin Olson, R-Mesa AMA POSITION: Support STATUS: Passed committee, awaiting action in the House SUMMARY: Requires a municipality that levies transaction privilege, sales to allow real property managers to file consolidated tax returns on behalf of client property owners.

Apartment News > April/May 2015

11

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE larger percentage of income from low-income groups than from highincome groups. But what makes a renter’s tax even more unfair and more regressive than even a food tax is the simple fact that only renters bear the burden of this, for a lack of a better term, housing tax.

Homeowners do not pay an equivalent housing tax and homeowners receive mortgage interest tax deductions and homeowners’ rebates. A food tax on the other hand, which often receives most of the political ire, is at least shared by the entire community and is not levied on just a segment of the population.

In committee, the bill did receive bipartisan support (5 ayes, 4 nays) with Representative Bruce Wheeler (D-Tucson) supporting the measure and calling the tax “regressive.”

Representatives Darin Mitchell (the bill sponsor), Anthony Kern (R-Glendale), Javan “J.D.” Mesnard (R-Chandler), Justin Olson (R-Mesa) also voted in favor of the measure while Representatives Michelle Ugenti (R-Scottsdale), Jeff Weninger (R-Chandler), Mark Cardenas (D-Phoenix) and Andrew Sherwood (D-Tempe) opposed the bill.

The bill has received unprecedented

The AMA is certainly empathetic to the revenue loss for cities and towns.

However the AMA is more concerned for the third of Arizonans who are taxed simply because they rent their home. opposition from Arizona municipalities since it has an estimated hit of $87 million to local budgets.

Representatives of various cities and towns have argued that renters won’t be the beneficiary if the renter’s tax were it to be eliminated, suggesting operators will simply pocket any tax savings. This argument could not be farther from the truth and would be similar to suggesting that a consumer would not benefit if a sales tax were to be eliminated in any other retail transaction, such as purchasing a new television or new pair of shoes.

Opponents have also gone so far as to suggest that municipalities need the additional renter’s tax revenue to offset the additional police and fire service calls to renter-occupied homes almost hinting that renters have a higher propensity to commit crime. Of course, no data has been presented to substantiate this argument.

HB2470: Affordable housing projects; tax assessment SPONSOR: Rep. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe AMA POSITION: No position, monitor STATUS: Dead, failed to receive committee hearing SUMMARY: A parcel of “affordable housing” (defined) property must be valued not at market value but at a value that reflects legal restrictions on its use, transferability and below-market sales price and limited profit margin under the applicable municipal affordable housing program. The Department of Revenue is required to prescribe uniform rules, procedures and formulas for determining and fixing valuation for affordable housing.

HB2488: Housing assistance; seriously mentally ill SPONSOR: Rep. Heather Carter, R-Cave Creek

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The AMA is certainly empathetic to the revenue loss for cities and towns.

However the AMA is more concerned for the third of Arizonans who are taxed simply because they rent their home.

And to that point, if cities and towns are in need of additional revenues to pay for city services, then those municipalities should adopt tax policy that treats all of its citizens equally as opposed to levying a discriminatory tax on the backs of renters.

HB2254 may not make it to the finish line this year, but one thing is for certain, renter’s tax will likely become a point of discussion at the legislature for years to come and until the tax is finally repealed. Please visit the norenttax.com website, sign the petition and “like us” on Facebook.

If you have any questions regarding any legislative proposals making their way through the process or if you have any questions regarding any of the AMA’s government affairs programs, please feel free to contact either of us.

Courtney LeVinus is a principal with Capitol Consulting and Jake Hinman leads city and county relations for the firm. They can be reached at 602-712-1121

AMA POSITION: No position, monitor STATUS: Passed Senate, awaiting action in the House SUMMARY: Monies in the Seriously Mentally Ill Housing Trust Fund may be spent on rental assistance for seriously mentally ill persons.

HB2578: Real property; purchaser dwelling actions SPONSOR: Rep. Darin Mitchell, R-Litchfield Park AMA POSITION: Support STATUS: Passed House, awaiting action in the Senate SUMMARY: Various changes to statutes regulating purchaser dwelling actions (construction defects). Provides a seller with the right to repair or replace any alleged construction defects, prior to a purchaser filing a dwelling action.

www.azama.org

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Beware of discriminatory practices

By Andy M. Hull, Esq.; Hull, Holliday and Holliday, PLC.

A

ll landlords are subject to penalties imposed under fair housing laws. It is very important that management and on-site employees do not engage in discriminatory practices against renters.

Landlords are liable if their actions are discriminatory, even if they did not purposely intend them to be so. This article will cover some of the general practices that communities should be aware of and try to avoid.

The U.S. initiated laws protecting individual civil rights in the late 1860’s. The practice of discrimination, however, continues. The passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1968 established and defined five protected groups. They included race, color, religion, national origin and sex.

In 1989, Congress expanded this list by two additional categories: physically and mentally disabled; and

familial status (families with children).

Arizona has its own fair housing law.

Promulgated in 1991, the Arizona Fair Housing Act covers the same protected classes as the Federal law.

Courts can impose civil penalties as high as $10,000 for first-time offenses, so it is important that landlords know the laws and tailor their rental practices to comply with them. Management should keep in mind one very simple golden rule: Treat everyone the same.

The following are some examples of discriminatory practices: Failure to accept a bona fide offer to rent. In other words, informing a prospective renter that there currently are no units available to rent, when in fact there are.

Refusal to rent to an individual who qualifies under all rental criteria. For example, a prospective resident meets all of the landlord’s criteria but management tells him or her that there are now no units available.

Application of different prices or contract terms. For instance, charging families a higher rent than other residents. Another example is offering families a lease term that is shorter than those you offer other residents.

Application of different rental qualification procedures. In this situation, you might require families with children to have four times the net disposable income and families without children to have three times the net disposable income.

Not permitting a prospective resident to inspect an apartment, exaggerating drawbacks or failing to inform the person of the desirable features of the community.

For example, management tells a prospective resident that he or she would not be happy at the property because of certain amenities or the lack thereof.

Steering. This involves a landlord or staff member telling a prospective renter that he or she would not be compatible or comfortable with the existing residents. The landlord then provides the person with a list of other local properties that may suit him or her. For example, management tells an individual with two children that the property has two swimming pools. The landlord says that since the children are young, the family might be happier at a community, which does not have swimming pools. The landlord then gives the individual a list of properties that do not have swimming pools.

Assignment of certain sections of a property to certain people.

Apartment communities years ago used to have both adult and family swimming pools. The properties did continued on 15 >

The views expressed here are generalized advice or information. Fact-specific questions should always be referred to legal counsel. Statements and opinions expressed in these legal columns are solely those of the author or authors. This advice does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Arizona Multihousing Association. www.azama.org

Apartment News > April/May 2015

13

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Even management companies need to update their application standards

By Mark B. Zinman , Esq., Williams, Zinman & Parham P.C.

I

n my practice, I represent large management companies as well as small mom-and-pop operations.

There is no question that the issues which each face are uniquely different.

For example, I regularly teach momand-pop organizations about the need to draft written application standards for their tenants. It seems that such managers often have an idea of the tenant they want, but no objective policy setting forth such a standard. On the other hand, professional management companies already have such written standards, and just need to modify or update the policies as new issues arise. The law allows managers to update policies or create new policies, as long as they are created on a non-discriminatory basis.

First, it is important to know why a written policy is important. For example, most property managers know that you must have a reasonable occupancy standard to avoid familial status discrimination. What many people don’t know is that the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (A.R.S. § 33-1317) requires that for such a policy to constitute a defense to a fair housing case, the policy must “have been adopted and published before the event in issue.” I have defended fair housing cases for managers that always followed the two per bedroom policy, but never

codified the policy in writing. The law says that just following the policy is not enough.

While occupancy standards are something that all AMA members have likely addressed, there are other factors that may not have been considered.

Consider the case of a property which has a tenant that has been causing minor problems. It was not enough problems for the manager to serve a 10 day notice, but when the lease expires, the manager serves a 30 day nonrenewal. Most managers just assume that person will leave and find another place to live. However, what happens if the person immediately turns around and re-applies at the property? Likely, the management company doesn’t have a policy prohibiting this applicant – but they should. Managers should consider adopting an application policy that provides that tenants who have been nonrenewed cannot re-qualify on the same property or another property managed by that company.

Similarly, what happens when a former employee, who was fired, seeks to apply for residency on property?

They may meet all of the application standards (assuming they have new employment), but that doesn’t mean the manager wants them on property. Again, this may be similar to the

non-renewed tenant, where the manager creates a policy prohibiting this person from applying as a tenant on this property or any other such property.

Another common issue I see in application standards addresses criminal history. Most property management companies have a prohibition against applicants with felonies on their record.

This should be for convictions only, and not just arrests for felonies. The Supreme Court has said that “the mere fact that a man has been arrested has very little, if any, probative value in showing that he has engaged in any misconduct.” Those policies should also state whether misdemeanors are acceptable, a number limit on acceptable misdemeanors or whether the felony record was expunged.

Written policies addressing the foregoing issues will protect you against needless fair housing complaints. Neither a former tenant nor a terminated employee falls within a protected class under any federal, state or city Fair Housing Act in Arizona. Therefore, a landlord is allowed to draft a policy prohibiting such applications. To avoid needless complaints, this should always be in writing.

Mark B. Zinman is an attorney with Williams, Zinman & Parham P.C. He can be reached at 480.994.4732.

The views expressed here are generalized advice or information. Fact-specific questions should always be referred to legal counsel. Statements and opinions expressed in these legal columns are solely those of the author or authors. This advice does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Arizona Multihousing Association.

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www.azama.org

LEGALLY SPEAKING

Handing out your bank account number is bad for business

By Paul A. Henderson, Esq. Law Offices of Scott M. Clark, P.C.

P

roperty management firms for multifamily communities need not worry about this topic, but this is an important issue for owners and operators of single-family rental dwellings…

There is a school of thought in real estate education circles that it is a good business practice for the landlord to provide the tenant with the landlord’s bank account number. As the theory goes, giving the tenant the opportunity to deposit the rent directly into the landlord’s account expedites the payment of rent, eliminates uncertainty, and reduces expenses not only for the landlord but also the tenant. After all, if the tenant can walk into a branch office of the landlord’s bank and give the teller the funds to put into the landlord’s account, then both parties avoid mailing expenses, delays, and confusion. Moreover, the landlord (or his agent) then does not need to travel to the property and collect the physical rent check. Both parties benefit, right?

There is a major problem that this theory does not expect: cheating. As you should be aware, the acceptance of less than the full amount due constitutes a partial payment. Partial payments preclude the landlord from bringing an eviction action (or otherwise enforcing the monetary portions of the rental contract) in the month in question. Unless a contemporaneously signed waiver agreement is negotiated between the landlord and the tenant, and a date is set therein for the tenant to pay the remaining portion, then the payment www.azama.org

acts as a bar against the landlord.

On a regular basis, we hear about cases where landlords are bringing eviction actions against their tenants for failure to pay rent and the judge hears testimony – from the tenant, usually, but sometimes the landlord – that the tenant made a less-thanfull payment into the landlord’s bank account (frequently the day before the eviction hearing). The case then is dismissed, despite the landlord not actually intending to accept the partial payment. The crux of the matter is that because the money is in the landlord’s possession, the eviction option is extinguished.

These types of problems can be avoided with the simple expediency of not giving out your bank account information. It might seem like a good idea at the time, but the chance that one “cheater” will take advantage of it ruins the utility for your good residents.

Paul A. Henderson is an attorney with the Law Offices of Scott M. Clark, P.C. He can be reached at 602-957-7877.

> continued from 13

not allow children in the adult pools.

Today, this is a discriminatory practice.

Photographs, illustrations, symbols, words or other descriptions that convey that the apartments are not available to a particular group.

A case in Washington, D.C. involved an apartment management company billboard that depicted a number of young, Caucasian models sitting around a swimming pool. A member of a minority group viewed the sign and filed suit on the basis of discrimination, even though she had no intention of renting at the property. A jury agreed and awarded her approximately $15,000.

This is in no way an exhaustive list. There are many subtle forms of discrimination. Again, management should treat everyone the same to avoid discrimination charges.

Example Consider the following example: Anna Rexick inquires about renting a unit at Heartland Apartments. She has two small children, Bo Leemic and Hy Pol Glycemic. Manager Dick Scriminate does not like children, and tells her there are no apartments available.

A couple of weeks pass and Anna Rexick still is searching for an apartment. She runs into her friend Jerry Tall. He informs her that he recently rented a unit at Heartland Apartments and knows for a fact there are a least ten vacant units at the property.

Anna Rexick files a complaint with a government agency. Following an investigation, it finds that Dick Scriminate never rented to families and takes appropriate action against him.

Andy M. Hull is the principal of Hull, Holliday and Holliday, PLC. He can be reached at 602-230-0088.

Apartment News > April/May 2015

15

READING THE SMOKE SIGNALS Protecting residents through smoke-free housing

T

he Arizona Multihousing Association was awarded a statewide contract by Maricopa County to grow and foster the smokefree programs in the multihousing sector. State tax dollars raised from tobacco sales are reinvested in the community to educate the public about the dangers of smoking, and to advocate smoke-free policies in businesses and residences. These education programs have been developed with the American Lung Association over the past few years and the AMA’s team will be working to connect all AMA members to these programs.

Years ago, adults could smoke on airplanes, on buses, and at their desks. Shows like Mad Men remind of us of this simpler time when the dangers weren’t as clear and the secondary effects didn’t weigh in at the same level.

Many of these decisions today around smoking issues are driven not only by health concerns, but by costs. For

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Apartment News > April/May 2015

many businesses, the financial impact of smoke pushed companies to curb or ban it indoors. Locally, bans in bars and restaurants were met with concerns about the impact on businesses and a few years later, many businesses report little or no impact. In housing, the changes may be more positive for operators.

Attract more residents through smoke-free communities The Arizona Department of Health Services and Maricopa County have been working in smoke-free housing over the past few years bringing new research about the impacts of smokefree policies on leasing and multifamily businesses. The challenge with shifting a community into a smokefree apartment community often came from the operators. Some owners and management had concerns about vacancy rates and alienating smokers from their communities. In the general population, fewer than 20% of adults

smoke cigarettes and more than 85% of adults say that smoke is not permitted in their homes.

Anna DiSabato, District Supervisor for Dunlap & Magee Property Management, Inc., explained, “About two years ago, my management team came to me with this idea of creating smoke-free communities and I opposed the idea of smoke-free at first. Property managers are so busy and now we would have to worry about how we would police another (smoke-free) policy.”

When she was asked to research this program, she looked at more than nine other markets to understand and advise that there was no way to implement this in multifamily communities. What she found surprised her.

According to one 2012 Maricopa County survey of rents, 7 of 10 respondents would choose to live in a www.azama.org

Arizona Smoke-Free Living coalition The Arizona Smoke-Free Living Coalition is diverse group of community advocates comprised of governmental entities, health organizations, community partners and property managers across Arizona. We hope to gain fresh perspectives by working with both property managers and residents to ensure all people living in Arizona have the opportunity to live smoke-free.

Our member organizations include: >> American Cancer Society >> American Heart Association >> American Lung Association >> Arizona Department of Health Services >> Arizona Multihousing Association >> Arizona Public Health Association >> Arizonans Concerned About Smoking >> Asian Pacific Community in Action >> Chicanos Por la Causa >> Inter Tribal Coalition of Arizona >> Maricopa County Department of Public Health >> Native Health >> Tanner Community Development Corporation

smoke-free community, over one where management allows smoking. Some renters have even reported being willing to pay more to live in a smoke-free community according to research by the National Apartment Association, No Smoking Policies, in Apartments 2008.

“I also looked for cases where the landlord was sued over a smoke-free policy. In fact, I found many cases where the opposite was true,” DiSabato continued. Residents sued landlords for secondhand smoke exposure, not for the smoke-free policies. The more she researched, the more she became convinced that this could be a program that would work for clients and residents.

DiSabato also studied the desires of the new generation of renters to better understand their focus on health and preference for non-smoking homes. www.azama.org

Her plan began with an implementation strategy and her team reviewed ways to launch smoke-free education. “You really have to treat it

SMOKING-CAUSED MONETARY COSTS IN ARIZONA Annual health care costs in Arizona directly caused by smoking

$2.38B

$382.7M Portion covered by the state Medicaid program

$697/per household Residents’ state & federal tax burden from smoking-caused government expenditures

$2B Smoking-caused productivity losses in Arizona

Source: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/facts_ issues/toll_us/arizona

(smoke-free policies) like any other policy or lease violation.”

During recent renovations of communities in Phoenix managed by DiSabato, 117 designated smoke-free units in smoke-free buildings leased up in two and a half months, 15% quicker than the traditional apartment homes that permit smoking. “Today we have existing residents from this community who are on a waiting list for the units in the smoke-free phase.”

Today many of her clients building communities have made the decision to build smoke-free and have experienced similar successes.

“I really became a believer. It’s time,” DiSabato concluded.

The National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials currently offers training, working with the Arizona Smoke-free Living Coalition, Apartment News > April/May 2015

17

through an online course for property managers to train management on the implementation of policies.

The AMA will also be launching trainings and outreach to help members implement these programs through their Maricopa County grant.

Save time and dollars during apartment turns Management companies have long known that turning an apartment unit of a smoker costs more time and money.

The remediation of the unit can include painting the walls with additional coats of paint, cleaning or replacing blinds that have retained the smell, replacing carpeting and even padding depending on damage to the unit. It’s not only expensive, it’s time consuming to do all of the necessary preparation and those days or weeks without a tenant represent lost revenue.

DEATHS IN ARIZONA FROM SMOKING

8,300 Adults who die each year from their own smoking

115,000 Kids now under 18 and alive in Arizona who will ultimately die prematurely from smoking

Health benefits for residents and reduced healthcare costs For decades, the research has demonstrated clear evidence of the dangers of secondhand smoke. Just a few years ago, the state of Arizona took important steps in protecting the public with the smoke-free restriction in businesses and civic spaces.

More recently, the US Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have

18

Apartment News > April/May 2015

issued recommendations on how to protect people in residences as well.

Secondhand smoke coming through central air units, doorways, plumbing and in common areas presents a serious danger for residents and there are a number of new programs to advance protection in multifamily communities.

Nationally, HUD has been encouraging smoke-free policies for subsidized housing and to date there are more than 500 policies that have been implemented across the county. Studies estimate that making all government subsidized housing smoke-free could save nearly $500 million dollars a year in health care and housing costs. This would include $310 million in secondhand smoke related health care, $134 million in renovation costs and $53 million in smoking related fire losses according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

JOIN THE AMA FOR PHOENIX KICKS BUTTS

The AMA has joined Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Pfizer, APS, the Phoenix Suns and many, many more for the first Phoenix Kicks Butts week. From April 20-24, we will be working to raise awareness of all of the resources available to individuals for their smoking cessation efforts. The State and Maricopa County have quit lines, cessation products, and programs that smokers can tap into, at no cost!

Resources are available year-round for quitters and their supporters: Call the Arizona Smokers Helpline (ASHLine) at 800-55-66-222 to enroll in FREE services to help you quit or visit ASHLine.org and Quitterscircle.com.

www.azama.org

In addition to their data collection on the results of smoke-free living and cessation programs, the Lung Association has developed tools for renters and for businesses to help them live and operate smoke-free.

Resources to help members implement a successful smoke-free multihousing policy: For Residents For residents, there’s a toolkit on the benefits of smoke-free communities, what to ask for in a new community, and how to negotiate a lease for a smoke-free unit. They also have a leasing search tool where renters can quickly connect to smoke-free communities.

For Businesses AMA members who sign up for the Smoke-free program will be able to utilize this website and connect with residents. There are also resources for large and small operators to learn more about the benefits of a smoke-free community. These tools can be used to educate owners, leasing teams, and prospects. There’s even a webbased smoke-free course that gives expert guidance on how to plan and execute these policies in a community. > www.azsmoke-freeliving.org > www.lung.org/ smoke-freehousing > www.lung.org/assets/ documents/program-pdfs/ arizona-smoke-free-living.pdf

www.azama.org

Meet AZ Smoke-Free Community Coordinator Sharon Hosfeld

A

professional background in healthcare, goverment relations and mulitfamily made Sharon Hosfeld an ideal choice when the AMA recruited new talent to support the work of the Smoke-Free program.

Sharon will lead the efforts around the Smoke-Free Community outreach around the state for the Association.

Leveraging her background in health care and community relations, she will be reaching out to AMA members to educate senior leadership about the benefits and the options for implementing Smoke-Free plans in multifamily communities.

In the coming weeks, Sharon will be conducting a large scale survey of AMA members to understand the opportunities and barriers to implementing Smoke-Free programs in communities. She will be contacting members about the survey and focus groups and will be compiling data for the Association and reports for Maricopa County to track progress over the course of the grant. TheAMA’s strong relationships with members will allow Sharon to directly connect with members to share materials and implement programs with members.

Educating elected officials in our key communities will be another component of the grant’s work and will be led

by AMA President Tom Simplot with Sharon’s assistance. As the multifamily industry grows, it’s important that leaders know that the AMA is leading the national charge to create healthier communities.

In addition to overseeing the Maricopa County grant for Smoke Free, Sharon will also support the government affairs and

community outreach teams.

Sharon recently moved back to Arizona from Atlanta, Georgia where she served as the government affairs assistant in the Georgia/Atlanta Apartment Association. For more than two years, she worked alongside the government affairs team in special events, political action commitment management and governmental relations.

Sharon’s early career in health care and clinical management prepared her for navigating complex issues. Working in a large practice group and interfacing with both clients, doctors and insurance companies gave her deep experience in health issues.

Apartment News > April/May 2015

19

CELEBRATING

THE TRIBUTES! Congratulations to all of the Tributes Finalists HOUSEKEEPERS Martha Hernandez 909 West Fairfield Residential Liliana Harton San Pedregal Mark-Taylor Residential Monya Evans Cantera Apartment Homes Alliance Residential Zoe Gordon Ten Wine Lofts Greystar Real Estate Partners Jessica Cannon Terraces at Glassford Hill MEB Management Services MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN Angel Guerra Solara at Mill Avenue Holland Residential

Richard Kihega Country Club Vista Apartments Bella Investment Group MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR 200+ UNITS Brian Hersel Crosswinds P.B. Bell Companies David Gateere Camden Copper Square Camden Property Trust Jorge “Koki” Hernandez Serafina and Lunaire Fairfield Residential Nick Orton Broadstone Ancala Alliance Residential David Griego Pine View Village Apartments Bella Investment Group

Raul Gomezllanos Broadstone Element Alliance Residential

REGIONAL MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR Mike Litchfield Fairfield Residential

Tony Koulentis Desert Parks Vista P.B. Bell Companies

Gaylan Hanson MEB Management Services

Michael Montoya Covington Park ConAm Management Justin Grotte Camden Foothills Camden Property Trust MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR 1-199 UNITS Jaime Alejandre Papago Crossing MEB Management Services Seth Pyle Ten Wine Lofts Greystar Real Estate Partners Steve Hartford Chazal Scottsdale Greystar Real Estate Partners Rory James Club Cancun Mark-Taylor Residential

20

Jim Hansen Alliance Residential Rodney Wilson Greystar Real Estate Partners David Vanek Greystar Real Estate Partners PROPERTY SUPERVISOR Matt Rogers Mark-Taylor Residential Heather Fuller Alliance Residential Tina Schreiber Alliance Residential Rochelle Green Greystar Real Estate Partners Crystal Finch Bella Investment Group

Apartment News > April/May 2015

LEASING CONSULTANT Rachel Thompson Broadstone Camelback Alliance Residential Mary Jo Haskell Capri on Camelback Greystar Real Estate Partners Chase Kelley Elan at Desert Ridge Greystar Real Estate Partners Corinne Voels Broadstone Lincoln Alliance Residential Nancy Florez Avana McCormick Ranch Greystar Real Estate Partners ASSISTANT MANAGER Lavina Spivey Avenue 25 Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services Matt Denkler Vista Sureno P.B. Bell Companies www.azama.org

APARTMENT MANAGER 200+ UNITS Lori Keough Residences at Forty Two 25 Greystar Real Estate Partners

INDUSTRY PARTNER - STATEWIDE Tina Greco Burns Pest Elimination Michelle Howland Blue Steel Security Services

Trisha Roud Broadstone Camelback Alliance Residential

Joanne Schlueter Redi Carpet

Jamie Beer Elan at Desert Ridge Greystar Real Estate Partners

VOLUNTEER - TUCSON

Lisa Rosenfeld HSL Management

Shannon Wilcox Scottsdale Gateway Greystar Real Estate Partners

Kim Pacheco Scotia Group Lauren Reece Nicolosi & Fitch

Amanda Maestas The Place at Forest Ridge MC Companies

VOLUNTEER - STATEWIDE

Vicki Allison Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services

TEAM & COMMUNITY BUILT PRIOR TO 1996 Camden Legacy Camden Property Trust

Lesa LaRocca Greystar Real Estate Partners

Redwood Place Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services

Lisa Cote Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services

Scottsdale Gateway Greystar Real Estate Partners Cityscape at Lakeshore Fairfield Residential Desert Shadows Scotia Group Management, LLC TEAM & COMMUNITY BUILT 1996 - 2006 Galleria Palms Holland Residential Gina Moore Highland Groves at Morrison Ranch P.B. Bell Companies Jennifer Traylor The Village at Gateway Pavilions Alliance Residential Karen Alonso Woodlands Village Apartments Bella Investment Group APARTMENT MANAGER 1-199 UNITS Patty Gallegos Arcadia Walk Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services Tonya Batson Ridgepoint P.B. Bell Companies Brandi Coleman The Place at Fountains at Sun City MC Residential Danielle Gilbert La Borgata MEB Management Services Mary Blanton Country Club Meadows Apartments Bella Investment Group www.azama.org

San Riva at the Foothills Alliance Residential Pinnacle Union Hills Greystar Real Estate Partners

Jill Danz Aspen Leaf MEB Management Services Kerri Martin Tivoli Heights Village Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services OUTSIDE THE VALLEY MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR Daniel Shriver Maddox Estate Townhomes Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services

Colores Del Sol Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services Broadstone Trevi Alliance Residential TEAM & COMMUNITY BUILT 2007 - 2014 San Capella Mark-Taylor Residential Ninety Degrees at Paradise Ridge Greystar Real Estate Partners San Hacienda Mark-Taylor Residential

OUTSIDE THE VALLEY APARTMENT MANAGER Gina DeSisto Raintree Greystar Real Estate Partners

Mike Temple Port Royale Allison-Shelton Real Estate Services Ron Kenney Quail Ridge Scotia Group Management, LLC

Elan at Desert Ridge Greystar Real Estate Partners

OUTSIDE THE VALLEY BEST TEAM & COMMUNITY Winterhaven Terrace Scotia Group Management, LLC

Gregio Metro Greystar Real Estate Partners

Commons at Sawmill MEB Management Services

INDUSTRY PARTNER - TUCSON Sue Campbell Redi Carpet

Terraces at Glassford Hill MEB Management Services

Stacy Weaver MacGray/Coinmach Melissa Davis Apartment Guide

Apartment News > April/May 2015

21

EVENTS & EDUCATION

STAY UPDATED AT AZAMA.ORG

Tucson

Phoenix EDUCATION Classes held at the AMA Gallery Space, 818 N. 1st St., Phoenix 85004

AZ LANDLORD TENANT

TUCSON AMA/ATI REVERSE TRADE SHOW

May 21; 9 a.m.–noon $20 members; $40 non-members How to use and comply with state law that governs all rental housing operations can save time, make you money, and minimize legal difficulties. You’ll review the revised law, which outlines the rights and responsibilities for both landlords and renters. Time will be allocated for audience questions and answers. This class will be instructed by an AMA attorney.

Continuing Education Credits: Legal Issues

July 10; 1–6:30 p.m.

Viscount Suites Hotel 4855 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson

RULES & REGULATIONS WITH COMMISSIONER LOWE

EVENTS APARTMENTS.COM GOLF TOURNAMENT April 10; 8 a.m.

Hilton El Conquistador Country Club 10555 N. LaCanada Dr., Tucson

APRIL DINNER MEETING April 23; 5 p.m.

Marriot Tucson University Park 880 E. Second St., Tucson Sponsored by RediCarpet Tucson

TRAININGS LEASING CONSULTANT PERSONAL SAFETY June 16; 9 a.m.–noon AMA Tucson Office Yes, it can happen to you. You can be robbed, sexually assaulted or put into a potentially dangerous situation while trying to show a stranger an empty apartment alone — and the less cautious you are, the more vulnerable you become. If you are in this business, register now to learn how to be more aware of your environment; how to safely interact with a prospect and how to safely show your property. This class will be instructed

by Becky Noel with the Tucson Police Department that works with the AMA.

22

Apartment News > April/May 2015

June 4; 9 a.m.–noon $29 members; $49 non-members This course will provide attendees with information and insight dealing with ARS Title 32 focusing on trust accounts and audits with a direct message from Arizona Department of Real Estate Commissioner Judy Lowe to close with updates from the AZ Department of Real Estate.

Meet Commissioner Lowe and have the opportunity to ask her those questions you may have to ensure that your community is in compliance with the ADRE standards.

NATIONAL APARTMENT LEASING PROFESSIONAL (NALP) Sept. 3 & 17, Oct. 8 & 22 & Nov. 12; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $375 members; $475 non-members Leasing professionals are the first people prospective residents meet, and often their only gauge of the property staff. Topics include: Keys to Success in Leasing, Telephone Presentations, Leasing and the Internet, The Leasing Interview, Leasing Demonstration & Resolving Objections, Rental Policies and Procedures, Legal Aspects, and The Market Survey Presentation. This program is a total of five (5) days and attendance for all classes is mandatory.

CERTIFIED APARTMENT PORTFOLIO SUPERVISOR (CAPS) Sept. 8–12; 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $1,200 members; $1,475 non-members Take the next step in your professional development and become a certified success by earning your Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) designation. This nationally recognized designation is for multi-site supervisors and experienced apartment managers with a CAM, ARM or RAM designation. Topics include: Legal Responsibilities & Risk Management, Financial Management, Property Performance Management, Property Evaluation & Due Diligence and Effective Leadership. The final exam is taken online and all graduates are listed in the NAA’s Units magazine. This program is a total of five (5) days and attendance for all classes is mandatory.

www.azama.org

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BEST PRACTICES Q: What changes in the industry should clients be on the lookout for?

Today’s multifamily client faces a number of new exposures not seen just ten years ago. Cyber liability, identity theft and data compromise are all exposures that have surfaced with the information age. With almost every facet of business transacted electronically today, our clients have significant exposure to these types of issues. I work closely with our clients to address these exposures and to protect them as best as possible. I have also seen a surge in Employment Practices Liability claims in the past 10 years. Discrimination suits, both from tenants and employees have risen dramatically. I work with our owners and management companies to ensure they use best practices to avoid these incidents as much as possible. Today, these exposures are real and insurance companies are adapting products and coverage to protect our clients.

Q: What has kept you in this industry over the years?

I have been working in the industry for 14 years. I have met so many interesting people. No two clients or risks are exactly alike. At the end of the day, I am there to protect someone’s asset, their business or livelihood, usually after a very bad event such a fire. When we can make that person whole again and help them back to business as normal, it really is a good feeling

Q: How has the AMA helped you in developing your business?

&A

Meet AMA Affiliate Partner Tom Connell

24

Apartment News > April/May 2015

The AMA is a very well respected association nationally. I have come to know many of the members over the years and develop some great friendships and relationship over that time. It is a very tight knit group that really cares about the association over all.

The AMA has provided me a great opportunity to work with members throughout all the different events and functions it puts on. It has become a real partnership between our two organizations.

Q: Why are the benefits of working with someone who is familiar with/focused on the multifamily industry?

Working with a specialist in the multifamily area is very important. Just as a lawyer specializes in a particular area, many insurance agents do the same. I have specialized in the multifamily area my entire career. There are many particular exposures unique to this industry that can be easily overlooked. www.azama.org

BEST PRACTICES Unfortunately, some times, they are not found until a loss occurs. With my years of experience, I work with my clients and assist them with their claims.

I have seen just about every type of apartment claim possible. This experience really helps me assist the client dealing with a loss. As a specialist in this area, I am also up to speed on every carrier’s offerings and appetite for particular properties. I work daily with lenders as well to ensure that my clients programs comply with the ever changing lender requirements. Having a good relationship with the carrier and underwriter are very important to creating the best insurance program available for the client.

Q: Are there changes in the insurance or benefits industry that members should be aware of to improve their operations or protect their assets?

As we all know, a huge change in the employee benefits area is the implementation and roll out of the Affordable Care Act. It seems that the rules and regulations are never-ending. For an employer to

stay current with all of the reporting and adhering to the rules is extremely difficult. Having a strong, trusted and very well versed benefits broker who is educated on the latest changes is critical today. We offer many seminars to keep our clients abreast of the latest changes and how best to deal with them.

We work with groups of all different sizes and analyze the best options for each.

Q: Crest offers AMA members special benefits as one of the organization’s strategic partners. How can members save money or time by working with Crest?

The Crest AMA Insurance Program is a great membership benefit. Crest has partnered with an A+ rated insurance carrier to provide a top level program to all members. This program offers super competitive rates as well as coverage enhancements specifically for AMA members. We are able to offer members quick quotes on their properties and review their current programs for coverage gaps and compliance issues. By working with Crest, members are able to take advantage of this program.

Crest Insurance Group’s roots started in Tucson in 1975. Today, they have three Arizona offices and continue to grow. They are one of the largest privately held insurance agencies in Arizona.

They specialize in commercial property and casualty, group benefits, personal lines and bonds.

Tom Connell is the senior vice president of Crest Insurance Group.

He can be reached at 480-689-5324 or tconnell@crestins.com

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ON THE SCENE RECENT AMA EVENTS

MARK-TAYLOR WELCOMES AMC IN SCOTTSDALE

By Adam Greco, Associate Member Chair, Director of Commercial Sales, Burns Pest Elimination oming through the signature porte-cochère at San Travesia, visitors know immediately that Mark-Taylor has once again created another destination multifamily community in downtown Scottsdale.

During the February Associate Member Council meeting there, guests were immersed in the lifestyle of San Travesia while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres hosted by their on-site team. Community manager Julie Krentz and her professional team toured our members through the 24 hour fitness center, complete with personal TVs, yoga, spin and bootcamp classes. Two resort style pools and a spa are complemented by wet bars, cabanas and a sundeck with lots of seating. The waterfalls there give the outdoor space a feeling of both serenity and indulgence.

In addition to these incredible lifestyle features, this will be the first multifamily property in Arizona to offer the Cox gigabit internet service.

The community will be completed in two phases; the first phase will offer 440 apartments that will be completed by early 2016. The second phase will have 132 units that will be completed later in 2016. To date, all 100 units in the community have been leased, and now they are taking reservations for the next units opening soon.

Dale Phillips, president of Mark-Taylor, gave the evening’s keynote remarks and shared more about the company’s growing portfolio. To date, Mark-Taylor manages just over 13,000 apartments and 42 properties in Arizona and Nevada. Four brand new Mark-Taylor communities are currently in lease-up, including San Travesia.

Two additional Mark-Taylor communities

C

are under construction and are slated to open in 2015 and early 2016, respectively.

The company will also conduct two additional 3rd-party lease-ups, which are slated to open within the next 90 days.

All of this growth has led to a number of new hires for the company. In fact, in 2015 Mark-Taylor has already added 40 new employees at the corporate and site levels and plans to add another 35 this year in Arizona alone.

Phillips also spoke about the Mark-Taylor brand and their approach to designing their communities. Rather than relying on their development and management team to determine all of the new amenities in a community, they consistently engage and survey residents to explore their specific interests. As an example, the company recently surveyed residents and learned that they wanted a dog park in their community. Now, they have plans to create a community park, giving their residents what they want and expect from Mark-Taylor.

Julie Krentz, San Travesia’s community manager, and Mark Wilson, their service supervisor, spoke with the crowd about how to work with their company. Wilson

offered insights into how their corporate vision of partnership leads into their vendor relationships. They prefer to work with companies that share their vision for service to residents and they work to build a trusting relationship with their partners.

Kristin Dilbert, the COO for AMA member Poo Prints, was the lucky winner of lunch with Mark-Taylor’s John Carlson.

Adam Greco is the director of commercial sales of Burns Pest Elimination and he chairs the Associate Member Council.

He can be reached at 602-971-4782 and The Associate Member Council meets quarterly and meetings are hosted at Properties and Property Management Companies. Please check calendar at www.azama.org for dates, times and locations of these meetings.

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FOCUS ON TUCSON TUCSON FUN RUN RAISES THOUSANDS FOR BIG HEARTS On Saturday, March 7, the Arizona Multihousing Charitable Foundation – Tucson Big Hearts committee hosted the 3rd Annual 5K Family Fun-Run Walk in Tucson at Reid Park.   An estimated 120 participants and four-legged family members launched at around 9:00 a.m.  The energetic group enjoyed a lovely, though breezy, morning walk around the park. The front runner/walkers in various age categories were Zies Lopez, Annie Beaulieu (daughter of Elizabeth Beaulieau of Quarterpenny Management) and her friend Kendra, George Gutierrez, Maclyn Wilcox (HSL Properties) and Jose Castro (Scotia Group). This is the first AMCF Tucson fund raiser of 2015 which is anticipated to raise approximately $4,000 for Big Hearts. The passionate AMCF Tucson-

Big Hearts committee continues to be committed to raising funds for Our Family-New Beginnings and other local organizations and programs.

Special thanks to the sponsors including Sunland Asphalt, Mike’s Swat Team, Comer Nowling, Redi Carpet-Tucson, Sexton Pest Control, Apartment Guide and regular members MEB Management, Scotia Group and HSL Properties.

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FOCUS ON TUCSON RAD-N-RETRO CHALLENGES TUCSON GOLFERS TO SHOW THEIR BEST GAME

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John Daly, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicholas, or Tiger Woods? Golfers can be notoriously bad dressers, from the colorful pants, to the goofy hats to the shoes. Tucson is elevating its golf tournament with a theme intended to celebrate the retro fashions of golf.

The 2015 Arizona Multihousing Association / Apartments.com Tucson Golf Tournament to be held in April will be the Rad-n-Retro tournament.

Golfers playing at the El Conquistador Country Club should don the fashion of their retro favorite players to win prizes

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- STATE-CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS

BED BUGS • ROACHES • BEES SCORPIONS • TERMITES • ANTS BIRD CONTROL • RODENT CONTROL

License #8253

Specializing in Multi-Family Housing

602-944-7700 602 9 944 7700 00 WWW.MIKESWATTEAM.COM

Proud Member of

BEFORE

PARKING LOT MAINTENANCE REPAIRS / CRACK SEALING / SEALCOATING / STRIPING RESTRUCTURE / NEW CONSTRUCTION MILL / PULVERIZE / GRADING / PAVING / OVERLAY / CONCRETE 3225 E. 44TH STREET / 520-741-2100 W W W . B AT E S P A V I N G . C O M Locally Owned and Operated

AMA Member for Over 25 Years

Licensed, Bonded & Insured ROC# 102421 A-14/ROC# 109056 C-13

Member of BBB

MEMBER MARKETPLACE Answering Services

CORPORATE ANSWER

AMA Main Office 818 N. 1st St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-296-6200; Fax:602-296-6178 AMA Tucson Office 660 S. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-323-0643; Fax: 520-323-3399

Electronic Answering Service Specifically Designed for Apartments

• Live Call transfer • Recorded Conversation

602-244-1833 520-468-2191 888-594-5943 timallen@corporateanswer.com www.corporateanswer.com Asphalt

THANK YOU PATRON MEMBERS! PLATINUM

Pest Control

602-942-2847 Valley Wide Service

AR-AT140122_151330

Plumbing & Air

480.963.3416 regionalaz.com

seal coating • patching • striping • crack sealing • slurry seal • paving • grading

Cable

Call 623-328-3805 to learn more about becoming a Cox Digital Community.

Property Management Software

312-448-7777 | airespot.com Amy Davidson MDU Sales Manager, Arizona Amy.Davidson@Cox.com 623-328-3805

Real Estate Services/Consulting

GOLD

©2014 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Laundry

888-481-7755 • www.jdrconsulting.net

Security

800.421.6897 ext. 1600 www.washlaundry.com Maintenance Supplies AZ Apt News 1_7x1 4c.indd 1

Core Security Services 602-518-6597 •

Courtesy Patrol/Security Patrol

•

Unarmed & Armed Uniformed Guards

•

Crime Suppression Service

• 1/16/14 4:45 PM

SILVER

Off Duty Police Officers

AR-AT140127_144814

www.coresecurityservices.com

Phoenix (602) 233-3580 Tucson (520) 573-5828 b2b.azpartsmaster.com

7702 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Suite 300 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 AZ DPS License #1587293 AR-AT140122_154030

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A PATRON MEMBER OF AMA, PLEASE CONTACT JAMES TUNNELL

BY PHONE AT 602-296-6212 OR BY EMAIL AT JTUNNELL@AZAMA.ORG

Smoking-relate� �ires result in an average of $516M in property loss each year

www.AzSmokeFreeLiving.org