I totally agree. New software has extra information to input and it takes longer to get all of the information input.

It has actually changed to 1 per 44 units. So 100 units would be 1 maintenance and 1 manager.

The message has definitely been that the new technology will assist and support the onsite teams. These "experts" are selling that to the ownership groups and that definitely impacts perception of what the right ratio should be. Unfortunately, every property is different and it is impossible to use a set number for property staffing! The support that you have can also make a difference. Corporate maintenance and operations support is really key!

Very good question/post. I am currently trying to come up with ways to explain to my owner WHY we can not run a 300 plus property with two office team members and have a floating Assistant Manager/Bookkeeper to float between 3 sites doing rent collection etc. grant you, these are B assets in tight competitive markets in Houston. He thinks with all the new platforms of using online leasing, online payment programs there is no need to have 3 employees in an office. I’ve been in the industry way too long and he thinks I’m not thinking outside of the box doing what our industry is a custom too. Residents and prospective residents are needier and more demanding these days vs. 10 to 20 years ago. I spoke to the Team on this and I felt a great sense of disappointment and pull back as expected.

I’m am to come up why we can not down size our office staff, I covered the outside teams already.

Companies all over, every industry want more with less. This leads to poor performance. Not to mention a the mindset of this workforce has changed. The work ethic is not the same.

Back when I started in this industry-I was able to go on property for hours doing inspections, greeting residents ( I knew all on a 1st name basis) life was good and I was well liked by all. I waived asked how their kids, parents, or spouses were doing-brought a binder to take notes about stuff that needed attention. My last job I decided to go do that 1 day-my phone blew up because someone at corp needed a question answered NOW. I ran back to the office and it was like "where were you?" What are you doing?" did you not read the email? They acted like, I went on an unauthorized leave-I went out on the property! From that moment on I never left the office again and sat teethered to the computer just incase......6 zoom calls a week, 2 delinquecy and 2 renewal reports, Monday reports and pre month end reports, every friday by 3pm., market surveys and they set time limits on each-5 minutes late and the emails started rolling in and my residents were saying does she work here? we never see her. Oh and that one question...how many rentals did you get today? I know that everyone has access to all sites at a Corp level and no one could look the info up themselves?