Earlier this month, one of my newer residents lost her mom (she was m$rdered). I found out when I contacted her about a recent noise concern she had left me a message about and I was following up. I felt soooo badly for her as I had previously heard about the incident on the news but didn't make the connection. I stopped and hand wrote her a sympathy card and mailed it after we spoke. She called me yesterday, just to say thank you and told me...Earlier this month, one of my newer residents lost her mom (she was m$rdered). I found out when I contacted her about a recent noise concern she had left me a message about and I was following up. I felt soooo badly for her as I had previously heard about the incident on the news but didn't make the connection. I stopped and hand wrote her a sympathy card and mailed it after we spoke. She called me yesterday, just to say thank you and told me that my personal note was a very kind gesture in her crazy world. I really wanted to cry as she just is so sad and empty as she spoke with me. I know it wasn't much on my end. Sometimes our residents just go through it and all we can do is offer an ear to listen and maybe a small written gesture is all it takes to help them. Show more

You know how some folks have the slightest issue with an appliance and demand a new one? And I explain, we will always try and fix it first because 1, it's usually less expensive and 2) we don't want to put things in a landfill unnecessarily. My residents hate that explanation, but I know full well how it goes (I live onsite and have been in my unit 12 years fyi) So the past few months, my fridge (big bertha I call her) has slowly begun her...You know how some folks have the slightest issue with an appliance and demand a new one? And I explain, we will always try and fix it first because 1, it's usually less expensive and 2) we don't want to put things in a landfill unnecessarily. My residents hate that explanation, but I know full well how it goes (I live onsite and have been in my unit 12 years fyi) So the past few months, my fridge (big bertha I call her) has slowly begun her demise. Changed the tstat back in 2015, cleaned the coils, prayed over her lol, etc. Well last night I get home and my giant vat of Costco cottage cheese was frozen solid. My boss comes over this morning and says, 'it's time. She has to go'. Let me tell ya, Big Bertha was born into service in 2005. She was roomy and accommodating. She was also a lesson for me to show other residents that older things can be maintained. Big Bertha will be leaving me tomorrow. It's been a good run. I can only hope her replacement is just as roomy and well-behaved. I will miss her. (not gonna lie, looking forward to a more impressive cheese penthouse but still...)

Happy Wednesday. Show more

ESA question. If someone has a valid, verified by the proper medical script ESA but only lets the 9 lb dog go potty on pee pads in the unit, which we typically prohibit, am I legally obligated to let this happen? We have a specific, legal assistance animal addendum which states "Residents understands the landlord is permitted to establish reasonable rules to address legitimate concerns for the safe and sanitary management of all animals,...ESA question. If someone has a valid, verified by the proper medical script ESA but only lets the 9 lb dog go potty on pee pads in the unit, which we typically prohibit, am I legally obligated to let this happen? We have a specific, legal assistance animal addendum which states "Residents understands the landlord is permitted to establish reasonable rules to address legitimate concerns for the safe and sanitary management of all animals, including assistance animals that live on the premises'. This person is just inquiring about property and asked if we accept ESA's (which always amuses me because yes, with the proper documentation, we all do and I'm not looking to break any laws. We had to install this no pee pad rule since we have had approved pets and ESA's that really damaged the units with pee pads. Show more

Wisconsin Property Manager here. We are moving some of our smaller properties to coinless (yay) laundry. Out of curiosity, what is the going rate for washing and drying? We haven't changed our laundry rates in about 10 years in our buildings. It's currently $1.50 per load. Thanks.