I was very saddened to see how our residents responded toward the management team

I was very saddened to see how our residents responded toward the management team on-site during the recent power outage following Hurricane Beryl. I have done this for 35+ years on A and B assets through Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, a pandemic and a variety of challenges and have never had such vicious and personal harassment and negativity directed toward me or my team, ever. My community is almost 1000 units with 53 buildings and about half were without power for 8 days. I completely understand the frustration and desperation to care for ourselves and families as I was in the same situation. My company was amazing, we went over and above to provide cooling and charging areas, triple guard patrols, providing food trucks (some days 6 trucks) daily and hundreds of cases of water. The power outage was heavily covered by the media and was clearly outside of our control. Through all of this my team, also without power, came to work every day to serve our residents and it honestly just broke my heart seeing how they were treated by many, not all, of the residents! It is in my nature to serve, at home, church and work, and I have always loved this industry and what we do but frankly this was just beyond brutal.

Im sorry to hear how bad it was for you all. Hope things are looking better!

I was reading a story about linemen from other states being harassed when they are there trying to help. I'm sorry things are so bad there.

Unfortunately this has become acceptable in our society. It is just sad these days

As someone who has worked in MF, from corporate to on-site, and lived on-site at the same time, I can guarantee no matter what you do (even in an emergency) you will always have residents that feel they have the right to treat you some awful way. Same as anyone in “hospitality” or “retail” has to deal with. Except this time it’s that person’s home. And they will protect/blame/defer/defend/gaslight to anyone who will listen - and because you are the landlord’s representatives, you will be the one listening. And I emphasize listening. After that, your team has to focus on what you CAN do—and in most cases that doesn’t align with what your resident, who’s taken their time to call/email/visit, wants. Your job is to meet them in the middle, find something to help that is more productive than destructive. And in this case what y’all did, with all the resources you provided out of pocket, and without conditions I assume, sounds like a good middle ground.
For those residents whose anger got the best of them: We all have the same utility and power providers — You and most likely the leasing agent you yelled at who lives in your zip code. I can promise you that no apartment community is being lowballed on the list of getting power restored. Lineman work on outages by priority but it ain’t by that.

It has become "ok" for residents to be abusive

Yes everyone is very unkind

I think a lot of notice of non-renewals should be going out. With occupancy dropping across the State I’m not sure they will let you do that. After Covid residents have literally gone crazy and become unreasonable and aggressive. You and Your company sounds awesome!

Sorry to hear that you and the staff were treated as if you did this on purpose. Learn from this experience. This was a regional incident, imagine what it’s going to be like in a national emergency.

Kudos to your team for being amazing during incredibly challenging circumstances. Things have definitely worsened with treatment since the pandemic. I led a leadership forum last year, and some companies told me they have put language in their lease agreements to prevent this type of abusive behavior toward staff members. Sending lots of good vibes your way.

I am so sorry your team was treated that way. Know in your heart you did the right thing. I would give non renewals to all who disrespected your team.

So sorry. Been in the business for over 23 years and it has definitely changed. People have grown more entitled and blame the onsite team for everything. Sometimes they have never even lived outside their parents home and w me teach “adulting 101” part of that is be nice! Hope it gets better

I agree with Tammy the power outage is not your fault. Your team and you deserve respect

So sorry you and your team had to deal with such disrespect. I was on site for over 20 years and couldn’t deal with some of the BS from the residents anymore. Thank gosh I’m at corporate now. I have mad respect for onsite employees because of what you do and have to deal with. I hope everyone is safe and on the road to getting back to “normal”

We had the same during “snowmaggedon” here in Austin. The absolute attacks both personally and professionally were more than I have ever seen in my 40+ years in this business. Sadly, this appears to be the new normal and expectations of apartment employees from residents has become unreasonable and over the top vicious. A good sense of humor will only go so far these days and no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough. Hang in there and just be proud of yourself and your team and know you have done everything possible to help. Don’t let them take your pride and desire to help people!

Times have changed

Page 3, paragraph 11 of the Texas lease specifically states that residents are not allowed to disparage or be abusive towards staff. I printed that page and highlighted the paragraphs. Next time one of them yells or cusses me out, I'm just going to hand them a copy and walk away. I'm done bring verbally abused for things that are completely out of my control. 45 years in the business, and I have never been as stressed out as much as I was during this hurricane. But I had many residents who came in and thanked me, brought us treats, gave us words of encouragement.

With half the power out on my property as well for 8 days I did have some that felt it was our fault, but most came together and helped their neighbors during this tough time. When the linemen showed up so many residents was saying thank you and trying to offer them water etc. and they were so nice! They were from Dallas. But I agree our business has changed so much over the years.

my property has a chiller a/c system. The motor blew due to power surges. The residents never lost power. We couldn't fix the chiller because the supply warehouse had no power to sell us the very specific part. So 8 days with power but no a/c.

I’m sorry you and your team went through that. Sadly, this seems to no longer be the exception of behavior from society but more normal.

We had one section of our property that was out for about a week longer than the rest of the property. Center Point employees told my resident that the problem was on our end. IT was not. I had to get an electrician out to verify for them that it was their transformer that was out. I had an angry mob at my door because of it... thank you Center Point