Topic: When team members live on site for free or reduced rent do they have extra duties or responsibilities?

Employee units-
When team members live on site for free or reduced rent (1/3 of current market) do they have extra duties or responsibilities?
Update - asking as all of my managers live on-site for free but some state though salary ANYTHING after 5pm or weekends is off limits.
Note as a regional I have lived on-site and handled shootings, protestors and press, sometimes an occasional lock out if it was health or safety related.

I don’t think it’s considered extra duties but I do whatever is needed bc I’m the manager and I’m responsible for everything.

Absolutely. I'm the most nosey neighbor. Sirens coming on site - I'm there. Alarms going off - I'm there. Sketchy person trying to sneak on property - I'm there. Storm coming? I'm there. 5 day freeze with no power or water - I'm walking property to ensure no smoke detectors going off. Last to leave and first to return when hurricane comes. I care for my residents and my asset deeply.

No it is part of the employment package. (kinda like a raise) as the regional, I too have done the same, but it was part of my job and I don't live on any property.

If it is free and you don’t want the extra duties - move out.
Living onsite is no fun, but it allows you to save money to make the purchase of the American Dream. I did it for a couple of years without issue because I had a goal. I am still a Regional and still would do it if necessary because it is my job! We house people. Good Luck!

Only if they are salaried usually. I do have a couple guys that take turns doing light checks and closing the pools, but they clock in and out when they do. The rent discount is supposed to be a benefit; not compensation.

In some states and companies it actually is considered compensation and taxed so I absolutely expect things like pool checks, light checks, and emergencies to be done when needed. I also am clear with employees upfront of these expectations. The after 5 because salary is bogus unless your state has other laws. As salary the expectation is more and why managers are salary vs hourly. They are in charge of the property.

It isn’t a matter of what you can require but do you need to pay additional for it. If the manager qualifies as exempt and you pay them a salary, you can require them to perform duties outside of normal work hours without additional compensation.
If the manager is non-exempt and paid hourly, you would have to pay them for time worked. When an employee tries to tell me we can’t do something, I ask them for the legal cite so I can review it to ensure we are in compliance. I have never had an employee be able to show me the
law they think exists
Our managers don’t live onsite but do have a company cell phone and are required to respond to emergencies at any time.

Check your state laws for lodging credit responsibility as well as overtime laws. This can be complicated so use an employment attorney familiar with PM in your state

As a manager, I have always been willing to go above and beyond. Even when I didn't live on site. However, this year I was challenged. It very much felt like I worked around the clock with little time off. I almost ended up in the hospital from exhaustion. So I would just say, be fair with your expectations. I don't think any of us agreed to trade our entire lives and sanity for a job. One more thing.......the rent is not free. I work VERY hard for that rent credit. I also work at a lower salary BECAUSE I get a rent credit. This Free stuff is offensive. Sorry about that. lol

Sherry they all lived off site and were making market salary then within a few month all asked to move on-site - so not originally part of plan

Lisa Gallinar Yeah I get it. I also get the lack of motivation on a team's part. It's hard to find good, responsible, loyal team members who are willing to do the work. I deal with it too. I care very much for my community and I do whatever it takes to make this business successful. But sometimes, the more we do, the more they expect from us. I would just advise that anyone in a leadership position be reasonable with expectations. So many companies preach work life balance and then the demands are out of control. It makes no sense. However, I don't condone laziness or lack of commitment to responsibilities. This is a big job!

I have had several techs live onsite over the years and I considered them unavailable after-hours unless they were on call. I think it's unfair to expect anyone to always be "at work" regardless of what discount they may receive on rent. The exception would be if that was negotiated in advance as part of their employment and housing allowance. I had a lazy assistant service manager who stopped coming in for after-hours calls and would have the onsite tech do his work. Everyone needs a break from work.

It's bad enough that technology has created the expectation that we are always available. It is no longer limited to onsite employees. As a service manager, I am constantly being contacted on my own time. I shield my techs from that and value their down time.