COVID-19 Update
RMA wishes all our owners safe sequestering!
Please read our COVID 19 operations update:
Idaho’s Governor Little announced a Statewide Stay-Home Order effective as of 1:30 p.m. March 25, 2020, through at least 11:59 pm. on April 30, 2020.
RMA has implemented policies and protocols to address the current situation. We are open for business during regular hours by phone and email, but closed to all foot traffic. Our employees are working from home, with occasional visits to the office only when absolutely necessary. Tenants have been advised that rents must be submitted online. If a tenant does not have the ability to submit online, they may deliver a check or money order through our drop box at the office location.
All walk-through surveys and non-essential maintenance will be postponed until social distancing is no longer necessary. Turnover work will be handled as usual. Marketing of vacant units allowing self-showings will continue as usual. Prospective tenants are advised to sanitize hands before and after entering a vacant unit and to touch as few surfaces as possible.
We have received several inquiries from tenants who have been laid off work due to this crisis. RMA has implemented the following policies to handle this:
- Primary objective is to keep tenant in place by negotiating acceptable rent payment options.
- Each tenant request for rent assistance will be taken on a case-by-case basis.
- Tenant will be required to provide evidence of hardship.
- Rent deferment options will be explored. Owners will be included in these decisions.
- Rent forgiveness will not be an option unless offered by the Owner.
- RMA will not be charging late fees for tenants with an agreed upon payment plan.
There is a national and local movement toward prohibiting evictions for a period of time. The State of Idaho has not initiated a policy of eviction deferment as of this writing. However, county courthouses are currently closed and therefore no evictions can proceed at this time.
Earthquake!
On Tuesday March 31st a 6.5 magnitude earthquake, centered 73 miles northeast of Meridian, struck shortly before 6pm. Boise area residents were quite shaken, (pun intended!) by the rumble that shook our community. Fortunately there has been minimal damage reported in our area, mostly effecting chimneys in the very old homes in the North End. We have requested tenants to perform a survey of their residence and report any concerns. If you are worried about potential hidden damage we do offer an optional crawl space and attic inspection performed by a professional home inspection company for a cost of $129, or we could arrange for a full home inspection which usually costs approximately $500. Please contact your property manager if you would like to schedule either of these services. Please keep in mind that neither of these services can to be performed until the State’s “Stay Home” order has been lifted, which at this time is anticipated to be the end of April.
Our Property Meld System, Making Maintenance Easy
By Athena Savoglou
Regardless of property size or locale, owners and property managers everywhere must all deal with one thing: maintenance. Usually, maintenance is routine and taken care of by your property manager on a seasonal basis. However, it is inevitable that once in a while, there will be a maintenance issue that requires attention. We at Realty Management Associates want to make it as easy as possible for your tenants to be able to communicate with us and have maintenance completed in a prompt and seamless manner. The way we do this is through a system called Property Meld. For owners, Property Meld will be a way to notify you and keep you updated on maintenance issues in your property.
Owners do not need to register for property meld. It is a maintenance service tenants are invited to when RMA began managing their property, whether this was at the beginning of their tenancy, or during. After a tenant submits a request, you will receive a notification that they have created a “meld,” which is essentially a maintenance request ticket. You may choose to receive these notifications via email or text or select both. You will be notified as to whether the maintenance has been approved and completed. Basically, all you need to do is watch for these notifications to stay aware of maintenance going on at your property or properties. If you have any questions about your maintenance issue, you may email through the meld system and our maintenance coordinator or your property manager will get back to you. If you prefer not to be bothered by any notices, you have the option to disable them. We hope this puts you at ease during a maintenance issue – RMA has your back!
Fair Housing Month
Normally in April, our staff attend a fair housing seminar. However, due to current circumstances we will be making arrangements for virtual training from the Intermountain Fair Housing Council in the next couple of months.
Maintenance Updates
Due to COVID-19, maintenance items are being rescheduled. Anything that requires interior maintenance will be postponed until we get the all-clear to do so. Anything on the exterior that is seasonally appropriate will remain on schedule.
Maintenance Schedule for April
- Spring gutter cleaning
- Spring landscape clean-up
- Spring yard care
Note: HVAC service will be postponed until determined appropriate to schedule.
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 MacKenzie. maintenance@rentalsinboise.com or call: 208-514-4864
Accounting Updates
There are no special accounting items in April. If you ever have questions about your statement, please contact your property managers:
Spencer Henderson, spencer@rentalsinboise.com
DaNay Salas, denay@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 also reminds and explains Property Meld to our tenants.
This month, we feature a crossword puzzle, the clues for which are hidden in our Reminders sections as well as the feature article. The lucky winner will win a $20 Visa Gift Card!
Check out our tenant newsletter this month: https://rentalsinboise.com/property-management-blog/april-newsletter/
Introducing MacKenzie Richardson!
Meet our newest employee, MacKenzie Richardson. MacKenzie joined RMA in February as Our Maintenance Coordinator. MacKenzie will be assisting the property managers by handling all the maintenance coordination for the rentals. Her email is, maintenance@rentalsinboise.com
What Are You Interested In?
This newsletter is intended as a resource and communication platform for you. If there is a topic, relevant to the management of your investment property, that you would like me to write on, please let me know!
Claire@rentalsinboise.com