Re: How much of a rent discount does your property management company offer to employees?

Hi Friends!
I am putting together a digital apartment living handbook and I want to make sure that I don't miss anything that is important to you and your residents
What categories would you include in the table of contents that you would want your residents to have at move-in?
Rent
Trash
Maintenance
Packages....
Drop what you feel is a MUST to include in the comments!
 

Move out procedures / expectations with charge list

A community policies section that includes info on parking, what’s acceptable on patios, window coverings, amenity policies, guest policies, etc.

Emergency plan for evacuations (Hurricane, Flood, Fire, etc.)

Things i can think of to cover. Parking. Pets/animals. Candle usage. Christmas trees (if real trees allowed or banned) . Any amenity riles (like fitness room, laundry). Smoking. Smells. Sprinklers if you have them . Smoke detectors (don’t disable). Drains/garbage disposals. Windows, window treatments. Noise. Unit inspections& housekeeping expectations. Pest control protocols.

Pet policy and adding an occupant. I know this would be in the lease agreement, but I feel a quick reference would be handy.

I think tips on dealing with fellow residents would be handy. Here's an idea on noise: Sometimes living in an apartment is an adjustment. If you’ve lived in a house, or a condo, you might not be used to living in a situation in which neighbors are on all sides. And because each person is different, your neighbor might not keep the same schedule as you. Here are some suggestions to help you adjust to your new living situation:-Bookcases against the walls help muffle sounds. Put them in front of your noisiest wall and fill them up with good reads.-Fans help cover noise while sleeping.-White noise machines help cover noise. If you can’t afford a special machine, try a radio on a static station. Your mind will “translate” that into white noise.-Headboards help keep your bed away from the wall vibrations, especially a stuffed, pillowy headboard.-Noise reduction curtains or movie curtains. Try hanging a double rod and put two sets up.-Move your bed away from “loud” wall. Add a rug. Even if your apartment is carpeted, a rug will help absorb more noise.-Hang tapestries, pretty quilts or other soft hangings on the wall. Anything fabric will help absorb noise instead of bouncing it around the room.-Try soft foam earplugs. These allow you to hear alarms and smoke detectors, but muffle other noises. Great for living with a snorer!

Donje Putnam I love this! I just hosted a fair housing webinar and we had so many questions about dealing with resident vs resident complaints when it comes to smoking, noise, pets, shoes in the hallway, etc. I think stuff with how to handle it with fellow neighbors or outlining the steps management will take approach common issues like inviting you both into the office to discuss, etc. This way it’s clear from the jump.

Laundry facilities & any instructions they need, how to work the thermostat, what’s acceptable to flush (and where to buy a plunger when they flush something they shouldn’t), bus routes/cab companies, how to reset their garbage disposal.

Thanks Karen! There’s definitely going to be a maintenance section. Love all the ideas.

Either furniture rental (up front) or disposal. The eco stats show 12M tons of furniture ended up in the landfill in 2018! These are cluttered up the dumpster. Maybe ideas for donation r recycling to the community of renters.

Kara Rafferty Great idea! Thank you. I can cover that in the trash section.

Would this be used as an “orientation guide”?

Kara Rafferty However you want to use it! Definitely give to all new move ins but would be a great resource to share with all of the residents.

Such a cool idea!

I did this already once we started going to electronic leases. Email me for a copy, and if you have one to share I'll look at yours too! [email protected]