I have called 4 different properties, and not one has answered the phone! How are these properties even operating?

I am trying to contact properties to verify previous rental history. I have called 4 different properties, and not one has answered the phone! How are these properties even operating, if they dont answer a phone call,?Leave messages, the never call back!

I've been looking for apartments this week. About 10% of communities actually answered. Most had a very annoying menu to press all these buttons to even get to someone and then it goes to voicemail. It's ridiculous.

I love the company I work for. Live on site people answer the calls during business hours.
After hours a live answering service takes their calls and we return anything that’s important

Use your cell phone. Sounds like they’re screening calls.

say you're looking for an apartment

Same for market surveys.

I hate properties I call and it's all automated.

I will tell you that six out of the eight hours a day I am the only one in the office to answer phones, even if I don’t answer the phone I will call back. It is my own practice to make sure that I get those things returned within 24 hours of her request. But that’s just me.

I have even seen leasing turn the ringer off so they dont have to answer.

We fax the rental verification form

I am the only one in my office, and I am often busy with residents, showing apartments, out on the property, or on the phone. I always return voicemails, though!

It is sad because the companies make you watch countless videos on phone etiquette then understaff.

Not all of them obviously but many.

The one I live at has been this way since the Pandemic. It takes days to get email replies as well.

I manage a busy 111 unit building, and have part time help two days a week, but I'm on my own most of the time. I rarely get to actually answer a live phone call because I stay so busy, but I always return messages in a timely manner. My pet peeve is people who call over and over and never leave a message, and I can see all the 20 seconds calls in my queue, and you likely won't get a response from me if you do that.

I hate those automated leasing modules via phone. Half the time you hit the buttons it suggests and then the line cuts. Just put bodies in chairs

Why even bother. If they are a rubbish tenant no one is going to release that anyways.
Most will only confirm dates of residency and not much mkre

Properties are busier than ever and more understaffed than ever simultaneously. I’m guessing you don’t catch every single inbound call to your office either. Judge not, lest ye be judged.

I run into that issue almost every lease and when we try to do a market survey! It’s annoying and when we explain this issue to the prospect, they get annoyed with us.

I would always get it from the answering service , they will give the fax and email address .

We are so understaffed right now. I’m in Dallas and it’s been like this almost every single property I’ve worked at. Rental verification needs to go away if they have great credit and income qualified. Def after covid.

I’ve been having the applicant reach out to the landlord and let them know we need a reference. It works sometimes….

To be honest, email is better than a call because you have verification forms but if someone is not responding to you with their email address, it is difficult for you to send them the necessary information.

I would rather answer rental verification calls at this point! LOL Instead I am busy (only me in the office) answering the call from the random person who just tried calling me 45 times in 20 seconds because God-forbid I didn't answer their call due to the fact that I was on the phone with someone else. Since I ended that call and can now answer the phone on the 46th time you called, I will sit here an answer the questions that you have while you're "looking at the listing online" and cannot read the words that say "apartment not available", the cost of the apartment, the amenities included, etc. I'm so glad that you were able to read the phone number to reach me, but can't read anything else about the apartment! (and half the time the person calling is the same person with whom I just emailed the answers to all these questions less than an hour before!)
Sorry, just had to get that out.......
I need a nap.... and a cookie!

EASY ANSWER!! They're an office team that doesn't get paid leasing and renewal bonuses! So even if they never pick up a phone or lease an apartment, They still getting paid the same thing at the end of the day.

This happens to me every day. Even if they called me and I need to speak with them again they don't answer. Messages are never returned. Manager is never available and bills are not getting paid or responses to past due invoices. Very frustrating.