Cover Community: HUE, managed by MAA
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Triangle Apartment Association 7920 ACC Blvd., Suite 220 Raleigh, NC 27617 919.782.1165 • 919.782.1169 FAX www.triangleaptassn.org TAA Office Hours Monday through Friday 8:30am-5:00pm TAA Mission Statement The leading resource committed to the advancement of the rental housing industry through advocacy, engagement, and innovation.
@TriangleAptAssn
CONTENTS 4 President’s Pen
14 A New Lease on Life
7 New Members
20
10 Legal Issues
26 Calendar of Events
Upcoming Education
OFFICERS President
Vice President
Treasurer
Claire Michael
April Vasta
Kelli Lea
Immediate Past President
Secretary
@nctaa
Affiliated with:
CAM Fairfield Residential, LLC
CAPS, CAM Blue Ridge Companies, Inc.
CAM Greystar
Rita Zepeda
CPM, CAPS, CAM PRG Real Estate Management, Inc.
Andy Meador
CAMT McDowell Properties, LLC
DIRECTORS TAA STAFF MEMBERS Josie H. Eatmon, Executive Director jeatmon@triangleaptassn.org Suzanne Pratt, Director of Professional Development spratt@triangleaptassn.org
Rob Boggs
CAM TriBridge Residential, LLC
Julie Chu Zhang CAPS, CAM Bell Partners, Inc.
Berry Craven
Steve Hayworth
Judy Wade
Chris Williams
CAMT Ginkgo Residential, LLC
Drucker + Falk
Kristi Henderson Redi Carpet, Inc.
Craig Nardi
CPM Palms Associates, LLC
Vicki Franciosi, Meetings & Events Director vfranciosi@triangleaptassn.org Dustin Engelken, Government Affairs Director dengelken@triangleaptassn.org Susan Williams, Finance Director swilliams@triangleaptassn.org
Cindy Nitschke Rebecca Rosario-Bueno CAS Valet Living, LLC
CAM, NALP, NAAEI Full House Marketing
Candace Patrick, Membership & Marketing Manager cpatrick@triangleaptassn.org Meg Palumbo, Communications Manager mpalumbo@triangleaptassn.org Dan Pauley, Staff Accountant dpauley@triangleaptassn.org Alyssa Clair, Education Coordinator aclair@triangleaptassn.org Ariel Rosario, Member Services Coordinator arosario@triangleaptassn.org Jessica Esposito, Events Coordinator jesposito@triangleaptassn.org
RentPath, LLC
Norm Praet
General Counsel Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC
COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS Education:
PR & Community Outreach:
Paula Kotarakos Derek Tarrant Kathy Woodard
Bret Smith Akeshia Thomas
Government Affairs:
Products & Services:
Katy Boone Craig Nardi
Chad Anderson
Special Events:
IRO:
Becki Hale Cindy Nitschke
Membership:
Rob Boggs Josh Scholl
Michel Charbonnier Tim Masters Robyn Gastol Elizabeth Godwin-Riley
This issue of the ApartMentor is designed and published by Moonstone Studio, LLC, proud member of the Triangle Apartment Association.
CAPS, CAM TradeMark Residential Properties, Inc.
XCEL:
Total Members: 1,056 Total Units: 133,812 Apartment Communities: 579 Suppliers: 252 Management Companie s: 160 IRO: 65
TAA Snapshot as of 8/28/201 8 the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 3
President’s Pen September is a time for us to send our little ones off to school and give ourselves the opportunity to finally be able to accomplish some of the things we put off during the warm summer months. For the Nominating Committee, the month of September marks an end to the many hours that were devoted to selecting the 2019 TAA Board of Directors. The committee interviewed 12 incredible candidates that will fill four vacancies on the Board. It was not an easy decision to find the right balance of talent to serve our membership, but after much deliberation decisions were made. Look out for the announcement of these future leaders in the coming months. For me personally, the selection of these individuals made me reflect on something that is paramount to our industry and to life in general; leadership and what it means to be an effective mentor. Some conventional wisdom suggests that good leaders are simply born and that it’s something you either have or don’t have. But, I would argue that this is not true. You can become a great leader through proper training and by learning from those that you admire and respect. Through coaching, and following the examples of valuable mentors, we can hopefully mimic those that we most revere. Simultaneously, we sometimes derive the best tips from ineffective leaders, noting the mistakes they make and promising ourselves to never make those same errors. Here are several excellent qualities that have I found prevalent in some of the most effective leaders: Lead with integrity — C.S. Lewis once said, ‘Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching’. Integrity requires that you always be honest and do what you say you will. People respect honest leaders because they produce honest actions. The first job of a leader is to inspire trust and build it daily, and great leaders know that trust must be given if it’s going to be earned. Communicate to connect — Communication is vital, and that means not only expressing your thoughts while offering guidance and solutions, but also listening. Connect by finding commonality with those around you, and never underestimate the power of the smallest interaction. Recognize accomplishments — Appreciate and support your team members by giving genuine thanks. Everyone wants to be appreciated and told when they do a good job! Recognize your team members for what they do and reward them when they do great work.
Lead by example — It is essential you show your team members that you are one of the team. Great leaders see themselves as being in a position of support and believe they are there to service their counterparts. This means doing the work alongside them and staying through the tough situations. Your team members are watching your every move and will emulate you! Develop your team — A good leader has faith in their own ability to train and develop their employees. This willingness and ability to empower will lead them to act autonomously. I have found the best way to accomplish this is with guidance, not explicit direction. Ask questions that will result in your team members finding their own solutions so they can handle challenges and make decisions on their own. Be conscious about not doing the work for them, instead offer the tools and guidance that will help them be successful. Collaborate — Regardless of how smart and creative you may be as a leader, you will always get better results through productive collaboration. When you share brain power with your team members you will accomplish a level of “buy-in” that could not occur without the union of input from different team members. Be Inspirational — Share your passion and commitment to your company’s core values and show enthusiasm. If you can inspire a group of people to believe in something, you can motivate them to do the work when you are not there. Enthusiasm is contagious, and leadership is about making your team more successful when you are present, and making sure it lasts even in your absence. Serving as the President of the TAA this year has taught me leadership skills that I could not have anticipated. Those around me have provided guidance and advice that have been incorporated in my professional and personal life. What I have learned through my work with the TAA is that leadership is something we can all attain, it is just a matter of perseverance and paying attention to the valuable lessons from our best leaders.
Claire Michael, CAM TAA President Fairfield Residential, LLC taapresident@triangleaptassn.org
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$100 off
2019 Budgeted Repairs
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TAA Welcomes New Staff Jessica Esposito joins the TAA team as its Events Coordinator, a newly created position within the Association. Her key job responsibilities will be to assist in the planning, coordination and implementation of Association events, including serving as a liaison with sponsors, volunteers and vendors; marketing events to the membership; updating event content to the website and other social media platforms as needed; managing pre and post event operations; overseeing event happenings; evaluating event success; and providing administrative support to the department management. Jessica graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications — Public Relations and a Minor in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. She is originally from Charlotte and moved to Raleigh for college. Her professional events experience includes her role as a Brand Ambassador for Order Up! — Groupon, an Event Intern with The Merrimon-Wynne House and an Event Planning Intern with Live It Up! Hillsborough Street. One of Jessica’s biggest passions in life is animals, especially dogs, and she has two of her own Daisy and Apollo. She describes herself as a foodie and enjoys finding new local restaurants and trying new foods.
6 Tips to Keep Your Golf Car Running Smoothly By Doug Spencer, B2BUV, LLC This article was originally posted on June 19, 2018, on TAA’s blog.
Continued golf car maintenance is important to get the longest life out of it you can! Here are 6 tips to keep your golf cars running smoothly...
1.
Charge cars regularly. Golf car batteries do better when the voltage is kept steady, rather than peaks and valleys in their voltage.
2.
Keep battery terminals clean and tight. Battery protectant sprays are available at most auto parts stores. If acid does build up, use a strong mix of water and baking soda to clean.
3.
Check battery water level regularly. Check and fill (if necessary) in the morning after a full charge. Water should be above the lead plates and below the filler neck.
4. Distilled or deionized water is best, but city water is ok. Well water has too many impurities and is not recommended. 5. Keep tires properly inflated. Usually in the 18-20 psi range. Check your Owner’s Manual to be sure. This also makes your tires last longer. 6. Check the charger routinely – visually inspect for cracks, loose connections, and frayed wires. Always, wear safety glasses or approved eye
protection when servicing the vehicle or battery charger, and wear a full face shield and rubber gloves when working on or near batteries. Contact your favorite Golf Car Service & Maintenance company for questions about routine maintenance or any necessary repairs! Get your Golf Car inspiration on B2BUV’s blog: http://b2buv.com/blog/ the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 6
New Members MANAGEMENT COMPANIES Audubon Communities
6525 The Corners Parkway Ste 216 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 Contact: Karina Campos kcampos@acmapts.com 678-894-3990
RKW Residential
Oaks at Brier Creek
RentersLand
9941 Brier Oak Place Raleigh, NC 27617 Contact: Teresa Narron theoaksapts@accesspipemail.com 919-572-5154 Units: 144
54 Sherwood Rd Springfield Township, NJ 07081 Contact: Marla Cicchino marla@rentersland.com 973-558-0758 Advertising, Apartment Locator Service, Online Leasing
ParkStone at Knightdale
6100 Fairview Rd Ste 355 Charlotte, NC 28210 Contact: Shirley Register sregister@rkwresidential.com 919-349-4971
1001 Park Commons Drive Knightdale, NC 27545 Contact: Megan Dominik parkstoneknightdale@bellpartnersinc.com 919-217-5560 Units: 350
Solid Surface Care
Silverpoint Management, LLC
Van Alen Signature Apartments
Bathtubs or Countertops: Repairs & Refinishing, General Contractors, Masonry/Stone/Pavers
1215 Tuxedo Terrace Lakewood Township, NC 08701 Contact: Joshua Gelb jgelb@silverpointmgmt.com 732-543-8757
COMMUNITIES Adara Alexander Place
7610 Aura Loop Raleigh, NC 27617 Contact: Tracie Lyon live@adaraalexanderplace.com 919-294-8111 Units: 202
Carraway Village Apartments 2100 Eubanks Rd Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Contact: Greg Smith carraway@nwravin.com 919-355-4127 Units: 403
Evolve Timber Creek
400 Evolve Drive Garner, NC 27529 Contact: Jackie Morelli timbercreekmgr@evolvecos.com 919-662-0096 Units: 304
Forest Edge Townhomes
2920 Boone Trail Raleigh, NC 27610 Contact: Anthony Fulton forestedge@wellingtonadvisors.com 919-896-6503 Units: 136
Lake Ridge Apartments
503 West Chatham Street Apex, NC 27502 Contact: Terry Ammons tammons@covenantpropertyservices.com 743-999-0486 Units: 93
511 South Mangum Street Durham, NC 27701 Contact: Laura Willard vanalen@nwravin.com 919-246-4499 Units: 418
175 Southport Dr Suite 200 Morrisville, NC 27560 Contact: Bryce Barnes bbarnes@solidcare.com 919-388-0930
Sonset Services
INDEPENDENT RENTAL OWNERS The Community Builder, Inc. 185 Dartmouth Street Boston, MA 02116 Contact: Sean Caron scaron@tcbinc.org 857-221-8600 Units: 226
216 Bentwood Lane Clayton, NC 27520 Contact: David Bresnahan sonsetservices98@gmail.com 919-820-9201 Emergency Service Contractors, Plumbing Contractors
Southern Outdoor Restoration
3217 Northside Drive Raleigh, NC 27615 Contact: Carson Woodell Tyler@southernoutdoorrestoration.com 919-622-1347
ASSOCIATES Alside/Revere Building Products 627 Distribution Drive Ste G Morrisville, NC 27560 Contact: Bill Lafrankie wlafrankie@alside.com Telephone: 919-268-4159
Gutter Cleaning & Pressure Washing Contractors
Building & Construction Supplies, Renovation Supplies
3909 Nansemond Parkway Suffolk, VA 23435 Contact: David Pattishall David.pattishall@davey.com 757-880-4318
The Davey Company – Landscape Maintenance
Cotton – Commercial USA, Inc. 324 South Wilmington Street Raleigh, NC 27601 Contact: Russell Gonzales Russell.gonzales@cottonteam.com 984-960-6666
Landscapers/Landscaping Contractors
Trash Talk USA, LLC
Emergency Service Contractors, General Contractors, Insurance & Risk Management, Mold Remediation Contractors, Renovation & Capital Improvement Contractors
9505 Kirkhill Drive Raleigh, NC 27615 Contact: Ben Williams talkingtrash16@gmail.com 919-815-7434
Ortiz & Schick
Trash or Recycling: Bulk Removal and Doorstep Collection
2840 Plaza Place Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27612 Contact: Sean Doyle sdoyle@oslawnc.com 919-256-4295 Attorneys at Law/Lawyers
Welcome!
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Getting what you need,
WHEN YOU NEED IT! Place Order by 10 a.m. We Process it Immediately Delivers Today* Will Call Pick-Up* supplyHQ.com • @MSupplyHQ Call 866-630-6747 • Español 888-281-0255 • Fax 866-631-6747
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A big shout out to our Independent Rental Owner (IRO) Committee lunch sponsor for July, Resolve Partners, LLC! Each month, the Independent Rental Owners gather to network and learn how to better manage their properties through education and sharing technical knowledge. Do you have your own rental properties? Are you interested in working with owners that have less than 100 units in their portfolio? Register for the next IRO meeting on the website and join us! Visit TAA’s website for upcoming IRO Committee meetings and events.
Photos from past IRO meetings the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 8
Supplier Members are visible publicly, but to view
Did you know TAA’s website offers a full member list that you can filter by member type and area of expertise?
Owner/Operators, you must be a logged in member. Logging into your account is easy and creating your account only takes a few minutes! Keep in mind your account is specific to you, meaning each person should have their own. Your account will stick with you no matter what company or property you work for.
Logged-In Member Account Benefits: • Register yourself and coworkers for classes & events
• Invoice your company or property
• Get full access to online member directory
• Get access to an exclusive blog specific to your job type
Need help creating your account? Visit
• Keep track of your event and class attendance
www.TriangleAptAssn.org/FAQ
• Update your profile
or contact Meg Palumbo at
• Primary Contacts can update the company profile and staff lists
mpalumbo@triangleaptassn.org.
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legal Issues
ADA COMPLIANCE… FOR YOUR WEBSITE? By Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC
The 1990s. A simpler time. A time when you had a drawer in the kitchen stuffed with take-out menus because online menus and ordering services did not exist. A time when the first of the month meant finding that bill that came in the mail weeks ago, calling the electric company to let them know the check was in the mail (maybe even if it wasn’t yet), and then going to the post office to get a stamp. Was it really that much simpler? Today convenience is key, and society has an expectation that anything and everything you could ever want, or need, is available and accessible at your fingertips. The 21 century is all about access. For many of us that accessibility is taken for granted. In the 1990s, society realized the act of walking into a hotel and up to the counter to check-in may not be as easy for someone sitting in a wheel chair; or that stepping off the curb to cross the intersection may not be as simple for someone who is visually impaired. In response to this, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was created. It deals directly with places of public accommodation, for example: hotels, office buildings, and schools, or even areas of multifamily communities open to the general public. Title III created clear guidelines on physical locations and set forth standards said locations should meet to
serve disabled populations. Yes, there was a time when the buttons in the elevator were not at a wheelchair accessible height, and buttons did not have raised character or braille for the visually impaired. Title III helped to create the physical world we know today; however, it is not finished. Our lives have become more than sidewalks, elevators, water fountains, and exit ramps. We are digital. We live on the Internet. I don’t mean the incredible obsession with social media and need to inform complete strangers on Twitter that I ate avocado toast this morning. I mean we do EVERYTHING on the Internet. We pay our bills. We register for college courses. We check our children’s grades and communicate with their teachers via public schools’ websites. We shop for household furnishings, car parts, food, pet care, lawn care, etc. At the touch of a finger, and without talking to another person, I have access to anything in the world. But what if I was visually impaired or blind? What if I was born without the use of my hands or fingers? How much access would I truly have to the web and to the convenience the majority of society benefits from? The Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the entity charged with enforcing the ADA, seemed to ask itself the same questions. the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 10
While the ADA does not specifically require accessible websites, there is an obligation to provide equal access and ensure “effective communication.” In 2010, the DOJ released a Notice of Advance Rulemaking stating that they were “considering revising the regulations for making the goods, services…offered by public accommodations via the Internet, specifically at sites on the World Wide Web, accessible to individuals with disabilities.” The technology community created a set of standards for website accessibility via the World Wide Web Consortium — the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, originally created in 2008, updated in 2012 (WCAG 2.0), and again in June 2018. The current version of this standard is known as WCAG 2.1. However, with no real direction or guidance coming from the DOJ, and society’s increased dependence on the Internet, the courts have seen a rise in litigation across the nation. In 2017 and 2018 there were many web accessibility lawsuits filed against businesses that were mostly unaware of their liability. The first Federal trial on website accessibility came out of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida in 2016, Juan Carlos Gil v. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. The plaintiff, Juan Carlos Gil, is a blind individual who uses a screen reader to access website content.
However, even with the screen reader, Gil was unable to access certain information and functions of the Winn Dixie website, winndixie.com, such as store locator and coupons. After a nonjury trial, the judge found WinnDixie violated Title III of the ADA as its website was not accessible to Mr. Gil. Specifically, an injunction was entered stating, “[t]he website must be accessible by individuals with disabilities who use computers, laptops, tablets, and smart phones.” In April 2018, a federal judge handed website owners, operators, and developers a major win when he dismissed a website accessibility lawsuit brought by a blind plaintiff. In Carrol v. New People’s Bank, Keith Carrol brought a claim similar to that in Winn-Dixie, he was blind or visually impaired and used a screen-reader to access the internet. However, here the defendant, New People’s Bank, engaged a third-party consultant to improve the accessibility of the website. The bank argued, and the court agreed, that the Carrol’s claim was moot based on its voluntary upgrades made
to the website after the lawsuit was filed. What this means for any business with a website is that professional, intentional, and meaningful accessibility improvements by a third-party website accessibility consultant or developer may provide a meaningful defense. However, to avoid litigation all together, owners should engage and ensure whomever they hire for website design is familiar with the WCAG 2.1 standards and website accessibility for disabled populations. So how can businesses ensure they are ADA compliant when it comes to website accessibility and how can they mitigate their risk of being sued? 1. Review and refer back to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1; 2. Utilize the WCAG 2.1 checklist for Title III website accessibility, which can be found at https://www.w3.org/TR/2006/ WD-WCAG20-20060427/appendixB.html; the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 11
3. Make a plan for your website that includes working towards accessibility in your next website redesign; and 4. Ensure that who you hire for website design or full-service digital marketing is knowledgeable and aware of the WCAG 2.1 standards and can effectively build to its standards. As a final note, the NAA has legislation pending in Congress, originally aimed at “drive by lawsuits” regarding physical accessibility issues under the ADA, that would clearly identify a time frame that the recipient of an ADA claim would have to resolve the matter before they were subject to monetary penalties. This legislation should be equally applicable to websites as it is to physical construction. One more reason to support your NAA and local PAC funds! This article is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should seek legal counsel for advice on any of your specific questions.
2019 Political Endorsement Recommendations On Thursday, August 23, members of the Government Affairs Committee had the opportunity to interview fifteen candidates for ten races for both the North Carolina General Assembly and the Wake County Commission. After the interviews, the group of interviewers agreed to recommend the following candidates for endorsement by TAA and the TAA-PAC: Wake County District 1 Sig Hutchinson (D) Hutchinson has been working to make communities healthy and livable for more than two decades. He was first elected to the Wake County Commission in 2014 and has served as Chair and Vice Chair during his 4-year tenure. He has led seven bond initiatives in Wake County and the City of Raleigh totaling $300 million for open space preservation, parks, greenways, transportation and affordable housing.
Wake County District 4 Susan Evans (D) Evans successfully sought election to the Wake County Board of Education in 2011 and served in that role through December, 2016. Evans served as the Finance Committee Chair and as the Facilities Committee Vice-Chair throughout her time on the school board, and believes that experience will bring a valuable perspective to the Wake County Commission.
Wake County District 2 Matt Calabria (D) As a Wake County Commissioner, Calabria has been an advocate for a strong public education system. He authored the county’s living wage ordinance and co-authored a new law that protects LGBT employees and veterans from employment discrimination. He has also worked to improve housing affordability, increase funding for the arts, pass the county’s first paid parental leave ordinance, and reduce veteran homelessness. He also helped lead a successful effort to pass a public transportation plan designed to alleviate traffic. He currently serves as Chair of the Commission’s Public Safety Committee.
Wake County District 6 Greg Ford (D) Ford is a former Wake Public Schools teacher and principal. He has served as a Wake County Commissioner since his election in 2016. During his time on the Commission, Ford has played a key role in expanding funding for public education and creating a dedicated county fund for affordable housing. He currently serves as a Co-Chair on the County’s Public Education Committee and as Vice Chair of the Human Service and Budget committees. Wake County District 7 Vickie Adamson (D) Adamson is a long-time advocate and first-time candidate for public office. She has volunteered in area public schools for 13 years, as well as with local organizations such as Clothing Closet, Artsplosure,
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First Night, AnimalKind and African American Dance Ensemble. As a church volunteer, she has worked to help resettle refugees, helping vulnerable families with clothing, housing and food security needs. This work has made her a fierce advocate for affordable housing, sound employment and transportation services to help citizens get jobs and keep them. North Carolina House District 31 Zack Hawkins (D) Hawkins has a long history of activism in the North Carolina Democratic Party through various leadership roles and volunteer positions. He is the immediate past 1st Vice Chair of the NC Democratic Party, and previously served as 2nd Vice Chair from 2012-15 and President of the Young Democrats of North Carolina, while concurrently serving as a Science teacher with Durham Public Schools from 2007-2009. He currently serves as the chief development officer for the Division of Student Affairs at UNC-CH. North Carolina District 37 John Adcock (R) Adcock is a land use attorney and community activist. He has served on the Town of Boone’s Planning Commission. He was awarded the 2017 Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award. In 2015 Adcock was the chair of the Fuquay Varina Future Now bond referendum committee, supporting transportation and infrastructure bonds for FuquayVarina. He has served on multiple committees for his church in Holly Springs, the Town of Fuquay-Varina and its chamber of commerce.
North Carolina Senate District 12 Jim Burgin (R) Burgin is a longtime resident of Harnett County and current President & Owner of C&D Insurance. He also serves as Chairman of the Board to New Horizon Insurance Group and President of B.C. Property Inc. a real estate development company. He is also a partner in John Hiester Automotive which owns Chevrolet and Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealerships. Burgin previously served two terms as Harnett County Commissioner and served as Chairman three years. North Carolina Senate District 16 Wiley Nickel (D) Nickel is a practicing attorney in Cary. He graduated from Tulane University as a Political Science major and received his law degree from the Pepperdine University School of Law. Before opening his law practice, Nickel worked for the White House traveling with President Barack Obama in the United States and abroad. He also traveled with Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton/Gore White House.
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FE LI
What is A New Lease On Life? A New Lease on Life (NLOL), a 501(c)(3) organization, is designed to help those who are experiencing homelessness get back on their feet through stable housing. We bridge housing opportunities with local non-profit agencies and provide an available apartment home at a reduced rate with gradual quarterly increases over a 12-24 month period. The program offers a hand up to those in need. Our purpose is to provide an essential need through stable housing thereby allowing these families to establish up to 2 years of positive rental history thereby allowing them to remain as market renters or in some instances to purchase a home of their very own.
Who are we helping? Individuals and families eligible for NLOL are just like us - they are working, have children in our schools, and living within our community. The only difference, something happened that caused them to lose everything.
Our Partnerships We partner with two types of organizations: Owner/Operator Members of the Triangle Apartment Association who can provide housing opportunities: • Blue Ridge Companies, Inc. • Drucker + Falk • Grubb Ventures Services, LLC Non-profit agencies that provide case management programs to those experiencing homelessness: • Family Promise of Wake County
Thank you to 2018 New Lease on Life Contributors! Philanthropist ($500+) Chris Williams’s Birthday Fundraiser Loebsack & Brownlee, PLLC Humanitarian ($250 - $499) Bret Smith Full House Marketing Katy Boone Benefactor ($100 - $249) AFR Furniture Rental Josie Eatmon Lisa Kane Qualcomm Matching Grant Program Vicki Franciosi
Helping Hand ($1 - $99) Full House Marketing A & M Paper and Gerry Jackson Printing Haley Frazier Akeshia Thomas Hans Dara Alisha Hymes Heather Arndt Amber Reavis Howie Han Azalea Perkins Chriss Jason Champion Barbara Walsh Jeff Fournier Bekah Peeler Jeremy Wyman Betsy Petruccelli Blake Starling Joe Richter Julie Howe Brandon Kelley Carly Connor Justin Kendrick Carly Jones Kathy Woodard Chad Anderson Katrina Murdock Charles Persons Kelli Lea Chris McClellan Kristi Henderson David Pattishall Kristina Crabtree Ericka Gillis Laura Valley Fabricio Pineda Lisa Kane
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Maggie Corgan Matt Stewart Meg Palumbo Natalie Hart Paula Kotarakos Peter Rogers Rasheemah Davis Rob Clarke Shelby Hyatt Shelena Moseley Stephanie Tripp Sydney Bryan Thomas Walters Tiffany Connolly Tracy Miketa Victor Meir Vivien Nguyen William Turner
As of 7/27/2018
A New Lease on Life 5k Team Benefiting From Cary Unity Walk & Fun Run A New Lease on Life is benefitting from the 5k and 10k registrants of the Cary Unity Walk & Fun Run! We’ll be there to run and walk the 5k together, please join us! When you use one of our unique links to register for the Cary Unity 5k or 10k, we will receive $10 of your registration fee! (We only receive a portion of the 5k and 10k registration fees, NOT the unity walk or 1-mile fun run.) You also have the opportunity to add a donation to our fundraiser. A New Lease on Life receives 100% of your extra donation! Visit the event webpage for our unique URLs: www.triangleaptassn.org/events/2018-nlol-5k
Sunday, September 23 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Cary Unity Festival at WakeMed Soccer Park 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Race Packet Pick-up at WakeMed Soccer 9:15 AM 5K & 10K Start 10:45 Race Course Closes 5K Fun Run Pricing Until September 20th: $35 Until September 23rd: $40 This is a family friendly event and is NOT limited to TAA Members! Please invite family and friends to join you in supporting the New Lease on Life program! A New Lease on Life will be providing a t-shirt to all 5k race registrants!
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HVAC’s “Dirty Sock Syndrome”… What’s that smell? By Brady Lancaster, Signal Hygiene This article was originally posted on July 24, 2018, on TAA’s blog.
Are your residents complaining, or have they complained in the past, about a bad smell coming out of the HVAC vents? This can happen in a fairly large percentage of HVAC units and is typically most noticeable at the change of the seasons when the system changes from cooling to heating or vice versa. It’s commonly referred to as “Dirty Sock Syndrome”. “Dirty Sock Syndrome” is a phrase coined by HVAC contractors nationwide to describe a microorganism growth problem in HVAC units and has plagued HVAC Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Independent Contractors for far too long. All OEMs have acknowledged the problem without having a long-term, effective, and efficient solution. Since OEMs replaced copper with aluminum in coil construction, normal environmental bacteria and fungus have found a perfect habitat to grow and thrive. As microorganisms grow, they produce an off-gas, which builds up around the coils and in the Air Handling Unit (AHU). When the AHU blower first turns on, it pulls this cloud of off-gas from around the coils, through ductwork and the registers, and into the conditioned space. This “dirty sock” smell is typically noticeable for only a few minutes until it dissipates into the air. However, the puff of smelly air comes out every time the blower turns on, making the problem more noticeable since the inhabitants do not build an immunity to the smell. In addition to the smell, if the inhabitants are allergic to the species of
microorganism that is growing in the AHU, they could have minor to severe allergic reactions to this puff of off-gas entering the space several times per day. Some species can be extremely harmful to anyone in the contaminated environment. So, is “Dirty Sock Syndrome” a manufacturer’s warranty issue or an installation problem? The answer is actually neither. A manufacturer’s warranty covers deficiencies in material and workmanship. The coils are not deficient, in most cases, the system is functioning properly, just as designed, and is conditioning the environment. If this is the case, we also know the installation contractor performed their services effectively. The problem is not an equipment or an installation problem, it’s an environmental problem. So what’s the solution? One solution some OEMs and Contractors are doing is removing the coils from the infected unit, sending them to a manufacturing or treatment facility to dip the coils in a multi-stage process. This provides a coating on the coils that inhibits microorganisms from growing on the surface. This process the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 16
is expensive, leaves the environment unconditioned for several weeks which in turn produces very unhappy homeowners or residents, and doesn’t solve the root cause of the problem. Similarly, some contractors are coating the coils on-site with a polyurethanelike coating, which does inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the coils, but again does not solve the root cause of the problem. If the microorganisms are growing anywhere other than on the coils, the smells will still come through the registers. The recommended solution is to treat the whole system, from returns to registers, which should include a root cause analysis and a load calculation. When going with this solution, make sure the OEM or Contractor you choose offers a warranty and ask how many visits they’ll need to make. The answer should be one visit!
More information about Signal Hygiene’s “Dirty Sock Syndrome Solution” can be found here: http://signalhygiene.com/ dirty-sock-syndrome/
Thank you to our Champion Business Partners for serving as the exclusive sponsors for the 2018 After Work Networking events!
TAA held its largest After Work Networking event to date on July 17 at Wild Wing Café in Brier Creek. The over 180 member attendees enjoyed a relaxing summer evening of networking with colleagues and friends. Newly added, an additional raffle was held for all the TAA member apartment communities in the Brier Creek area that had at least one person attend the event. Wild Wing Café donated a staff lunch to the winning community… Ashley Park in Brier Creek! Our After Work Networking events are open to all TAA members, with no cost to attend. The final After Work Networking event for 2018 will be held in December so watch for details and plan to join us! For this After Work Networking event, TAA’s XCEL Committee partnered with TAA’s Special Events Committee to offer “Happy Hour Headshots.” XCEL accepted donations to benefit A New Lease on Life in Ashley Park in Brier Creek Winners! exchange for a free headshot by Megan Kime Photography. XCEL’s goal was to raise $500. They exceeded that goal by raising $1,670! Thank you to everyone who donated and we hope you enjoy your new headshots!
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Budget Season! TAA’s 2019 Education Calendar The 2019 TAA Education Calendar is in the process of being confirmed. This information is an estimation of the costs and dates of offerings. Estimated costs listed are member prices. Additional seminars may be added throughout the year as “need-it-now” training arises.
National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) Credential Programs Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) • July 2019 $1,345 Instructor - Alex Jackiw
CPO & CFC Certification Course
Certified Apartment Manager (CAM)
CFC
• February through March 2019 $1,175
• Dates TBD $250
National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP)
CPO
• October 17 - 19, November 14, 2019 $499
• Feb 8 & 9, March 22 & 23, April 19 & 20, May 17 & 18, or September 13 & 14, 2019 Course is two days $279 Full Course $179 Retest (if participants don’t pass the exam)
Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) • November 2019 through January 2020 $1,199
Seminars - Full & Half Days Fair Housing
Notary Public
• April 23, 2019 (2 sessions: Maintenance & Office) $89 per session • November 2019 $79
• January 24, 2019 $205
Property Financials Seminar • February or June 2019 $129
Leasing 101
Business Writing
• May or November 2019 $199
• September 2019 $129
Through the Eyes of an Asset Manager • April 9, 2019 $129
AANC Lease & Review Training • April 25, 2019 $129
Legal Issues Seminars
• May 9, September 19, or October 24, 2019 $209
NAA Lease & Review Training • September 20, 2019 $189
Low Income Housing Tax Credit Training (LIHTC) & Certification Credential Program LIHTC Fundamental Training & Advanced Training & HCCP Exam - Tax Credit Credential • October 9 & 10, 2019 Complete LIHTC Training & HCCP Exam - $599 Complete LIHTC Training Only - $409 HCCP Exam Only - $185
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education classes
Please visit TAA’s website for full details about each class and to register online for courses and seminars: www.TriangleAptAssn.org. All classes are held in the TAA/Response Team 1 Education Center unless otherwise noted. Registration deadlines are one week prior to course date unless otherwise noted.
Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO) September 14 – 15 8:30am – 5:00pm $265 Members Re-Take Exam Fee: $165 Members
Instructor: Andy Meador, CAMT, Director of Capital Projects with McDowell Properties Please note! All CPO courses will be held on a Friday and Saturday. All those seeking CPO re-certifications must attend both days.
NAA Lease Review & Training Seminar September 19 9:00am – 5:00pm $179 Members Instructor: Todd Whitlow, Attorney-Partner, Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC
This session will cover changes that have been made pertinent to the state of North Carolina landlord law. This session is a must-attend for managers, assistant managers, and leasing professionals.
National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) October 11 – 13 | Course Dates October 23 | Exams November 8 | Presentations Times vary – see website for details. $449 Members
The National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) Credential Program is meant to enhance the skills of the apartment leasing professional, resulting in better-informed, highly professional individuals with increased lease activity and improved resident relations.
Legal Issues October 25 9:00am – 5:00pm $189 Members Instructor: Todd Whitlow, Attorney-Partner, Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC
Join us for this informative seminar to learn all the legalities of operating your property within the law in the state of NC. Get up to speed on the NC landlord-tenant law changes. In addition to learning about the laws, you will learn the legal aspects of property management as well as the eviction process and how to avoid pitfalls.
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Leasing 101 November 7 9:00am – 4:30pm $185 Members Instructor: Rebecca Rosario-Bueno, NALP, CAM, NAAEI Faculty, Owner, Full House Marketing & Staffing This full-day workshop is ideal for team members who are new to the apartment industry and need industry training, as well as managers, assistant managers, and leasing veterans who want to brush up on their leasing/sales skills.
The Leasing Process: • Handling Inquiries (Internet, E-mail, etc) • Turn telephone prospects into excited visitors • Meet and greet ideas for easy engagement • Demonstration Do’s and Don’ts • Methods to overcoming objections • Creating value by selling advantage • Closing techniques • Follow Up & Follow Through
Fair Housing November 15 9:00am – 12:00pm $69 Members This is a must-attend seminar for new employees, owner/operators, as well as apartment community management service teams!
Topics include: • Definition of discrimination • Seven protected classes • Basic laws covering fair housing • Discriminatory housing practices • Screening process • Steering • FHA Service/Emotional Support Animals
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Long-Lasting Stain Resistant High Performance
Resilient Flooring
Convenient and Cost Effective
Resilient Flooring has a longer lifespan than carpet. Less replacing means more savings for property management Easy to install and maintain - Both Array and DuraTru styles feature easy installation options and are easy to clean
Superior Performance
Water, Mildew and Stain Resistant - Spills are not a problem with resilient flooring. Liquids stay on the surface and are easily wiped away Superior comfort while minimizing sound transmission thanks to DuraTru’s fiberglass cushion
Design Variety
Resilient vinyl flooring reflects natural woods, tile and stone in stunning high definition Realistic floors enhance any decor
919.405.7189
www.RediCarpet.com the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 22
TAAEF EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations!
Congratulations go out to the following individuals who are scholarship recipients of the Triangle Apartment Association Education Foundation (TAAEF) Education Scholarship Fund for the NAAEI, TAA 2018 CAPS credential program. Wendy Barkey | Matrix Residential, LLC Mary Batten | Meridian at Broad Street Market Nicholas Chambers | Inland Residential Real Estate Services, LLC
The TAA/TAAEF Education Scholarship Fund was established in 2001 to provide qualifying candidates the opportunity to further their career development. Your investment will help to enhance the skills of apartment industry personnel, resulting in better managed and more confident future decision makers of the apartment industry. Since its inception, 63 scholarships have been awarded.
NAAEI CAPS CREDENTIAL RECIPIENTS
Congratulations! Congratulations go out to the following individuals who have earned the Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) credential from the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI). Mary Batten | Meridian at Broad Street Market
Ronda Kunsman | Bell Partners, Inc.
Alison Carney | Apartment Dynamics, LLC
Amy Timocko | Hawthorne Residential Partners, Inc.
Nicholas Chambers | Inland Residential Real Estate Services, LLC
Annie Williams | Triple E Apartment Management, Inc.
LaCole Gadson | HHHunt Property Management, Inc.
Bethani Wilson McGee | Ashbrook Apartments
INTRODUCING VISTO ONLINE TRAINING Powered by Grace Hill & NAAEI Grace Hill and the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) have teamed up to create Visto—all the credentials and training property management professionals need. Train and learn course-by-course or on a subscription basis— and take your career to the next level. Visto was created by Grace Hill and NAAEI to provide easy access to nationally-recognized, high-quality, online credential programs and training courseware to leasing consultants, maintenance technicians, community managers, regional portfolio supervisors and industry suppliers who are committed to enhancing their professional development. We’re excited to offer 25% off all Visto courses and credentials through October 31, 2018! USE PROMO CODE: triangleaa25 Available Online Credentials: Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) Certified Apartment Supplier (CAS) National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) Independent Rental Owner Professional (IROP) Please contact Alyssa Clair, TAA’s Education Coordinator, at aclair@triangleaptassn.org with any questions or feedback. the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 23
Thursday, October 18, 2018 Maintenance Mania® 2:30pm – 5:00pm Maintenance Mania® is a national program offered by the National Apartment Association with HD Supply as the Presenting Sponsor. Maintenance technicians compete against each other in various skill-based games. This is a fun event for both competitors and spectators! Competitors – register early to guarantee a spot in the competition! Management Companies – sign up and come out to support your Service Team Members!
Service Appreciation 5:00pm – 7:00pm Service Appreciation will immediately follow Maintenance Mania® on the floor of the PNC Arena. This is a dinner event that allows us the opportunity to thank our Service Team Members for all they do day in and day out at their respective Apartment Communities and Management Companies.
This year, the Maintenance Mania® winners will be announced during Service Appreciation so plan to join us for both events, back to back.
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Local Sponsorship Opportunities (Open to all TAA Members)
Venue & Prize
(Maintenance Mania® and Service Appreciation)
$2,500
· 4 complimentary registrations to both events · Ability to announce and present awards and prizes, on the Arena Floor, for one game · Company logo shown on Scoreboard and Ribbon Board inside the Arena · Company name on printed materials, the TAA website and in the ApartMentor magazine
Judge (Maintenance Mania®)
$1,000
· 2 complimentary registrations to both events · Ability for 2 company employees to serve as Judges, on the Arena Floor, for one game · Company name on printed materials, the TAA website and in the ApartMentor magazine
Raffle Prize Sponsors (Service Appreciation)
$250
· 1 complimentary registration to both events · Sponsorship dollars will be used to purchase
raffle prizes for the Service Team Members in attendance
· Company name on printed materials, the TAA website and in the ApartMentor magazine Visit www.TriangleAptAssn.org for more details and to register as a sponsor, competitor or spectator and service appreciation attendee.
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September 3
Office Closed: Labor Day
19
NAA Lease Review & Training Seminar 9:00am – 5:00pm
2018
6
TAAEF “Take 5” Breakfast Business Exchange 8:30am – 12:00pm Brier Creek Country Club
20
Legal Issues 9:00am – 5:00pm
13
Independent Rental Owner Bus Tour 9:00am – 12:00pm
CPO 8:30am – 5:00pm
21
23
Golf Tournament 9:00am – 4:00pm The Neuse Golf Club
A New Lease on Life 5k 8:00am – 12:00pm WakeMed Soccer Park
25
Save the Date s!
Executive/Board of Directors Meeting 8:30am – 11:00am TAA Large Conference Room
January Dinner M eeting January 17, 2019 Trade Show May 1, 2019
October 11-13
NALP Time varies, see website for details
14-15
18
11
Maintenance Mania & Service Appreciation Time varies, see website for details PNC Arena
Independent Rental Owner Dinner Meeting 6:00pm – 8:00pm TAA’s Large Conference Room
25
Legal Issues 9:00am – 5:00pm
All classes are in the TAA/Response Team 1 Education Center unless otherwise noted. Please visit the TAA Website at www.TriangleAptAssn.org for a complete list of Courses, Events & Committee Meeting dates and times.
Advertiser’s Index
PAGE
PAGE
Apartment Association of North Carolina ...................... 17
Maintenance Supply Headquarters .................................. 8
Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC ................................... 27
Redi Carpet, Inc. ............................................................. 22
Loebsack & Brownlee, PLLC ............................................. 2
Rite Rug Flooring Company............................................ 18
Advertising space available! Contact Meg Palumbo for availability and pricing at mpalumbo@triangleaptassn.org or 919.782.1165 ext 1. the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 26
Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC is a property solutions law firm! We provide full-service legal and business solutions to managers and owners of rental property and communities in North and South Carolina. Our Firm sets itself apart by providing not only critical legal analysis, but also offering our clients the real-world implications leading to the most meaningful and economically efficient solutions. With offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Charleston we assist our clients in all aspects of landlord-tenant law including: PURCHASE AND SALE OF PROPERTY INCLUDING CONTRACT NEGOTIATION AND SEC COMPLIANCE LEASE AND LEASE ADDENDUM PREPARATION AND NEGOTIATION POLICY REVIEW & COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE DEFENSE OF PROPERTY RELATED CLAIMS COLLECTIONS EVICTION APPEALS FAIR HOUSING COMPLIANCE & DEFENSE MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATION REPRESENTATION __________________________________________________________________________________ Please contact us at:
Brownlee Whitlow & Praet, PLLC 4020 WestChase Blvd. | Suite 530 | Raleigh | North Carolina | TEL: (919) 863-4305 6135 Park South Drive | Suite 510 | Charlotte | North Carolina | TEL: (704) 247-4998 3255 Landmark Drive | Suite 301 | North Charleston | South Carolina | TEL: (843) 628-7120
WWW.BWPF-LAW.COM E-mail: NPRAET@BWPF-LAW.COM OR TWHITLOW@BWPF-LAW.COM This is an advertisement for legal services
the ApartMentor | September/October 2018 27
7920 ACC Blvd, Suite 220 Raleigh, NC 27617
FE LI
A New Lease on Life 5k | September 23 (See page 15)