LEGAL ISSUE

• Residential managers must occasionally deal with the death of a resident. This unpleasant experience is made more difficult by the legal responsibilities associated with it. The first step is to notify the police. After that, it is important to secure and seal the apartment because the manager or landlord may be liable for the safety of personal belongings until the proper authority takes over. Authorities will most likely secure and seal the apartment while investigating the cause of death. As much as a month may pass before the landlord regains possession of the premises because the estate may be under the supervision of a local public administrator until processing is completed. Administrative details must be handled properly (i.e., notifying the resident’s next of kin). Following a careful accounting of any charges to the tenancy and removal of the deceased resident’s property, the security deposit can be returned to the resident’s estate
• DELIQUENCIES
  • Encouraging timely payment of rent begins with the qualification process and continues with the reiteration of management’s collection policies during orientation.

  TIPS

  • Site managers must realize that an occupied apartment for which no rent is collected is more costly than a vacant one. A vacant apartment is not subject to damage, and its utility costs are negligible. Vacancy also allows the site manager to find a new resident who will pay the rent.