COVID 19 Update
The spread in Idaho remains steady at more than 300 new cases per day, and is not anticipated to diminish unless the community exhibits greater effort in following suggested protocol. We have reminded tenants to exercise caution and follow state “stage 4 stay healthy” guidelines. https://rebound.idaho.gov/stage-4-stay-healthy-guidelines/.
For case data and COVID-19 official state resources please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/.
Business Practices and Protocols in the Fifth Month of COVID
By Claire Fenton
One of the many business practices that sets RMA apart from other property managers in the Greater Boise Metro area is our dedication to routine surveys of each rental property. These surveys do, on rare occasion, bring to light a tenancy that is not treating the property in accordance with our standards. But more likely, our walk-through surveys may reveal a maintenance issue that should be addressed.
When we were first advised of the pandemic, we postponed all walk-through surveys, fully expecting we would be able to resume later in the summer. Unfortunately, due to rapid spread and worsening conditions in Ada and Canyon Counties we will have to postpone walk-through surveys once again until we have a more controllable working environment.
RMA has adopted extensive measures to, as best possible, replace our inability to enter rental properties. Some of you may wonder why we cannot enter rentals at this time. To understand this, you would need to understand the systems we employ to make our business efficient and successful. Walk-through surveys are scheduled on specific days. Property managers will be performing five or more inspections in a single day. In normal times the tenant is typically not at the property because our walk-throughs occur during their work/school hours. However, currently most of our tenants are working from home, and their children are at home. Although our staff wear a mask, we cannot require that of our tenants, therefore our property managers are at 70% risk of being directly exposed to potentially contagious individuals. If the property manager becomes non symptomatic s/he will then carry that contagion into other households, potentially exposing numerous people. This is a morally and ethically unacceptable situation.
Aside from the potential human cost of this practice, RMA also has to consider the potential business cost. If just one of our staff members were to get sick and have to be absent from work for several weeks, this would put a great strain on our systems. If one of our property managers were to get sick and be absent for several weeks, we would experience more than a strain. It is safe to say that our usual workflow would be severely disrupted, which would affect our ability to service our owners and our tenants to the degree they are accustomed. It is for these reasons RMA is taking all possible precautions to stay healthy, reduce spread and be part of the overall solution so that we can all return to business-as-normal as soon as possible.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and your patience as we all work through this difficult time.
If you would like a detailed explanation of the extensive measures RMA has adopted to temporarily replace the walk-through survey. Please reach out to your property manager by email.
Maintenance Updates
We are currently scheduling optional services. That will include Crawl Space, Attic and Roof Inspections. You should start seeing that billing in August.
The maintenance updates only apply to those of you who have pre-ordered these preventative maintenance services. If you didn’t opt in for a service you read about in this newsletter, and would like to schedule a service, just email MacKenzie at maintenance@rentalsinboise.com to let her know.)
Other questions? Please email maintenance@rentalsinboise.com or call: 208-514-4864.
Accounting Updates
There are no new accounting updates this month.
If you ever have questions about your statement, please contact your property managers:
Spencer Henderson, spencer@rentalsinboise.com
DaNay Salas, danay@rentalsinboise.com
If you have trouble logging into your client portal, please contact your property managers or Brandy Ker at RMAinfo@rentalsinboise.com.
Tenant Update
This month’s tenant newsletter notifies tenants of a common rental scam that has been circulating in the Treasure Valley.
This month, we feature a crossword puzzle, the clues for which are hidden in our Reminders sections as well as the feature article.
Check out our tenant newsletter this month: https://rentalsinboise.com/property-management-blog/august-newsletter/