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preventative maintenance
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Only You Can Prevent Kitchen Fires

Author: cl@ss
Categories: Preventive Maintenance Tips
Only you can prevent kitchen fires

Kitchen fires account for 50 percent of all rental property fires each year. Tenants start cooking, get distracted, and unwittingly start dangerous and destructive fires. You can’t remove kitchens from your properties, but implementing preventive measures to minimize fire risk is essential to tenant safety and protecting your property.

Start a conversation

Practice excellent customer service to keep the lines of communication open and provide helpful tips to raise awareness and safety protocols, including the following:

  • Reminding residents to never leave anything cooking on the stove, even for a minute. 
  • Sharing the latest statistics, highlighting how unattended cooking is responsible for the most deaths. 
  • Asking for regular feedback on how cooking equipment works and sharing tips on cleaning and maintenance. 

Your safety conversation should include educating tenants on your property’s specific emergency plan and how tenants can protect their lives and possessions. 

Establish an emergency plan

Allow for human mistakes, and walk new tenants through what to do in case of kitchen fires. Provide a fire extinguisher, and teach them how to use it and when. Help residents report a fire and evacuate quickly by posting metal signs on every stairwell and each floor.

Provide incentives for renters’ insurance

Encourage tenants to purchase renters’ insurance (or make it mandatory) and provide some resources at lease signing. Consider offering a discount on rent for those with an active renters’ insurance policy. After a fire, if investigators determine that a tenant’s negligence started a fire, the tenant’s insurance will pick up the bill. Just make sure their policy covers fire due to negligence. It will be worth a small monthly discount in the long run.

Make fire prevention and response a significant part of your maintenance and tenant communication plans to prevent catastrophic damage and loss of life. Also, bring employees into the planning and training efforts to keep tenants and staff on the same page and ensure rapid response in an emergency.

Protect your property from kitchen fires by working with Class A Management

Property managers play a vital role in protecting your property investment. If you’re ready to have your property managed properly, contact the asset management experts at Class A Management. 

Our comprehensive management strategies include helping you develop safety procedures specific to your property. We also create local connections with insurance agents to provide the resources your tenants need to find affordable insurance. We will help you in every way to create an environment that prevents kitchen fires. 

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LED Bulbs Replace Mercury-laden CFLs

Author: cl@ss
Categories: Sustainable Living
LED Bulbs Replace Mercury-laden CFLs

Those curly-looking light bulbs that were the “wave of the future” just a few years ago will soon go the way of the dinosaur. New technology has made light-emitting diode (LED) lighting the trendiest energy-saving bulb. Brighter than CFLs and containing no toxic heavy metals, LED bulbs are becoming the more affordable green alternative to incandescent and CFL light bulbs.

Advances in lighting slow to take off

Just a year or two ago, you could expect to pay $10 for a single LED bulb. That expense was a non-starter for most property owners, who opted for the less-reliable CFL. With a shorter life span and pesky mercury, CFL bulbs proved to be less of a sustainable lighting choice than developers had hoped, but they were cheap. 

When they burnt out or were broken (yikes), the responsibility to replace them fell on tenants. They mostly opted for the now-obsolete and heat-generating incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs cost less and don’t have mercury, but they also raise the electric bill.

LED Bulbs are more affordable than ever

Far from $10-20 a pop these days, energy-sipping LED bulbs are brighter and cheaper than ever. Bulk contractor pack prices for 60-watt-equivalent LED bulbs are approaching traditional incandescent costs. Plus, they’re well worth a little extra investment. 

An LED bulb uses 40 percent less energy than even a CFL. It will also last 20 times longer, sometimes many years, and it doesn’t harbor toxins that could harm your tenants. The best light bulbs of 2023 also allow tenants to customize their space and provide the convenience and safety benefits of smart technology. 

Find sustainable solutions with Class A Management

The experts at Class A Management have an eye for details. We know that some solutions to big problems, like energy bills, could be as small as a light bulb. Investigate the benefits of LED solutions, then hire Class A Management to maximize the return on easy to implement updates. 

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Engaging Tenants in Sustainability Efforts

Author: cl@ss
Categories: Sustainable Living
Engaging Tenants in Sustainability Efforts

The property management world is going “green,” but it’s no longer just a marketable catchphrase. It’s an industry mandate. Responding to consumer demands drives the rental market to provide specific amenities and adjust rents accordingly. Answering the clarion call to sustainability is no different. Energy efficiency and sustainable building are cost-effective for investors and renters alike; so, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon and let tenants know we’re in this together. 

By engaging tenants in sustainability efforts, you will encourage tenant loyalty and make your property more attractive to prospective tenants searching for environmentally friendly living spaces. 

Energy efficiency boasts immediate cost-savings

Eco-friendly choices like LED lighting and Energy Star appliances don’t require much electricity. That means lower utility bills for renters. Renters who know how much money they’ll save on energy costs with upgraded insulation or windows are more likely to support sustainability efforts when their homes become temporary construction zones. Use one of the government’s handy energy calculators to let residents know how much money they can expect to save. 

Informing your tenants about potential savings will help with engaging tenants in conversations that could lead to attracting other tenants so you can get and maintain maximum occupancy rates. 

Technology is key for green marketing

Communicating with residents through technology channels is a great way to educate them about sustainability initiatives. Engaging tenants via social media, resident portal webcasts, or even simple text messages is a great way to keep them connected and informed. For the more results-oriented clientele, smartphones equipped with thermostat-control apps allow them to monitor energy savings and will help them buy into eco-friendly community upgrades.

Build community with sustainability initiatives

Encourage residents to learn more about and use the apps and digital environmental tools that support your property’s sustainability goals. A curbside recycling program, community composting, or even an electric vehicle charging station shows management’s dedication to eco-friendly initiatives. Regular communication from management and within the community will keep renters engaged.

Class A Management: Engaging tenants for decades

It always helps to have a property management team in your corner who knows how to build sustainable initiatives and communicates them to your tenants. With over three decades of experience, our professional asset managers are at-the-ready to assess your property and give you the information you need to make decisions about creating a more sustainable community. 

Contact our team today to learn how you can better manage your investment property to create lasting tenant loyalty. 

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Carbon Monoxide and the Device That Could Save Renters’ Lives

Author: cl@ss
Categories: Preventive Maintenance Tips
Carbon Monoxide detector

As responsible landlords, it is our duty to prioritize the well-being and safety of our tenants. One crucial aspect of tenant safety that often goes overlooked is the presence of carbon monoxide in rental properties. In this article, we explore the significance of carbon monoxide monitoring and provide valuable insights into how landlords can protect their tenants from this silent, yet deadly threat.

Understanding Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be emitted from various sources commonly found in homes. These sources can include gas appliances, heating systems, fireplaces, and even automobiles. Being aware of the potential dangers associated with carbon monoxide is the first step toward safeguarding your tenants’ lives.

The Risks Posed by Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide poisoning can have severe consequences, ranging from flu-like symptoms to unconsciousness and even death. Given that it is virtually impossible to detect without proper equipment, it is imperative that landlords take proactive measures to prevent exposure and protect their tenants.

Installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These devices are designed to alert occupants when carbon monoxide levels reach dangerous thresholds, allowing them to take immediate action and evacuate if necessary. Landlords should place detectors in strategic locations throughout the property, particularly near potential sources of carbon monoxide.

Regular Maintenance and Inspections

Maintaining a safe living environment goes beyond simply installing detectors. Regular maintenance and inspections of gas appliances, heating systems, chimneys, and ventilation systems are necessary. By scheduling periodic checks, landlords can identify and address potential issues promptly, reducing the risk of carbon monoxide leaks.

Educating Tenants on Carbon Monoxide Safety

While it is the responsibility of the landlord to provide a safe living environment, educating tenants about carbon monoxide safety is equally important. Consider sharing informational materials or hosting brief sessions to raise tenant awareness. Encourage them to report any unusual symptoms or concerns as soon as they are detected.

By prioritizing carbon monoxide monitoring and taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks, landlords can create a safer environment for tenants. Remember, protecting lives is our primary objective as responsible landlords. By addressing the threat of carbon monoxide, we can help ensure the well-being and peace of mind of everyone residing in our rental properties.

Need some help managing the day-to-day operations like this? Lean on our team of experts. Contact us today by calling 817-295-5959.

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Spring Cleaning Multifamily Property Management Style

Author: cl@ss
Categories: Preventive Maintenance Tips
Spring Cleaning Multifamily Property Management Style

When springtime rolls around, it motivates most people to do one thing: clean. Wintertime tends to leave a residue behind, begging for sunshine and a damp cloth. There’s just something about opening up all the windows, turning the music up, and purging all that we’ve hoarded during the months we had little more to do than hang out in front of the fire.

Spring is the perfect time to clean out the flower beds, attack new exterior projects (like that parking lot you’ve promised to repave), and host many more outdoor community events. Just as the physical multifamily property demands some extra attention during these months, so too does the back office, maybe even more than you might think.

How does spring cleaning apply to your back office? Focus on cleaning your property management office space, then zoom out to your overall business. Here are some big-picture ideas:

Make the hard decisions 

Your bottom line is affected most when it comes to trouble or troubled tenants. And, while there is always room for charity in this business, there comes a time when it’s okay to say, ‘Enough’s enough.’ Evaluate your tenants and be honest about the situation you’re in. Know the laws in your state and ensure it’s on your side, and then take action in those circumstances in which you’ve been reluctant. Now’s the time.

Reconsider your contracts 

It’s easy to become complacent and resistant to change when things seem comfy. Yet, this is also when you can pay more than necessary or fall victim to laziness and mistakes. Maintenance crews, plumbers, electricians, and other contractors can increase prices and lower quality. Spring is a great time to reevaluate your choices and confirm everyone is still giving you what you pay for.

Evaluate your positioning 

Where are your occupancy numbers, and where would you like them to be in the coming year? If they aren’t as high as you’d like, it’s time to look at your property positioning. Where do you advertise, and how do you promote? If you haven’t already, it’s time to get a website, get involved in social media, and start talking to your prospects and tenants through networks and blogging.

Class A Management can help with your spring cleaning

Want some help clearing out all the cobwebs? We’re here to assist. Our wide range of property management services can help you evaluate your current investments, suggest improvements, and implement changes based on your decisions. 

Contact the professionals at Class A Management today to get the advice and service your need so your spring cleaning gives your investment property the boost it needs to have a successful year. 

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