Topic: On Site Management Problems

I have been living on site for two months now. Even though I have asked many times, residents are always knocking on my door. Even kids knock on my door to tell on another kid. I enjoy my personal time and want to spend it with my child. How do I get residents to stop knocking on my door and coming up to me on my free time outside with problems they have? I don't want to be rude but they aren't getting it!

If your company will allow it - put a notice on your door (nicely worded), that states anyone bothering you at home for reasons other than an emergency or social call will be charged a $50 fine. I had to do that once... about two weeks and three unwanted visits later, when word got around that I was really charging people, it stopped. Not the most polished way of handling it, but effective.

Well, look at it this way: it's great to live in a community where you get to know who you're neighbors are!

If it has become more of a nuisance than a neighborly gesture, though, I would ask myself, "Do my residents have a way to report any issues if the office is closed?" Maybe it's time to set up a 24/7 answering service so they have a way to call the office day or night.

I cant see paying for an answering service just so the residents can complain about other neighbors. It is a small community but the residents are a little on the rough side. I do have a 24 hour emergency number but they seem to want to use it for non emergency problems.

How about a brochure box on your door with forms to fill out for anything they might want. Then a "I'll be Back" sign with 9:00 a.m. on it.

Just a thought!

I have done that, and we have a drop box at the office. My problem is residents knocking on my apartment door during my off time. It isn't even for important things. It is driving me crazy!

Our rental agreement prohibits residents from "disturbing the quiet enjoyment of other residents."

Since you are a resident. They are in violation of the terms of their rental agreement by knocking on your door after hours. Provide an after hours emergency number for them to call- but let it go to voicemail. Check the voicemail immediately to see if it truly is an emergency. Don't answer your door, but DO check to see who was knocking and give them a non-compliance/violation notice. If they continue to disturb you after hours, they get a for-cause notice to vacate for failing to abide by the terms of their rental agreement.

I like your reply Rose. I took over one property from someone who was only available for a little while in the evenings and didn't use the office at all. There were several heated conflicts in the beginning. I stood my ground and said the office is closed, everything is locked up and didn't entertain the "I know, but.." conversations. I told more than one person you know, when I knock at your door and you don't answer I don't go staring in your windows, act like I'm beating your door down, or yell and swear at you - what makes you think this is appropriate behavior toward other people?

I don't live on site anymore, but I did for long enough. I need my down time. :-)