I first realized I am in a dangerous business when the on-site managers of an apt complex next to one I managed in Hawaii were robbed, locked in a closet and then shot through the door....3 people died on the first of the month because their resident/tenant population dealt with cash and the thieves knew this.
Later, while I was in Northern CA, I learned about a real estate agent who went to collect the rent for a client; she was hit on the head and died a few months later having never regained consciousness.
When I first opened my own property management office, the safety of my staff, client funds and files were upper most in my mind.....except for a rock through my office window 20 years ago, I have never had an issue.
Now, I do not take CASH rent payments, remote deposit rent checks, have my office on a second floor with 3 locked doors AFTER office hours. I receive rents at a post office box and except for key returns when residents leave properties, residents rarely come to my office.
I know who I am meeting when I go to show a rental property as I have their completed applications and have noted their cel phone or e-mail address in my LOG Book of property viewings. I do not show resident occupied properties on the weekend out of courtesy to my residents and I do not want to put them or their family at risk by not knowing who will be coming into their home.
I have a remote access lock vehicle and have a cel phone with me during viewings and someone usually knows where I am and when I should be home.
Lastly, I trust my instincts when it comes to meeting people and sizing them up for their rental needs. I have no problem with telling someone I am unavailable to show properties late in the afternoon - when it will get dark, or in the evening when it IS dark; nor do I have a problem with telling them they need to come to my office FIRST before we meet at a remote property.
I'm more than happy to accommodate rental property showings; however, I am not willing to put myself in harms way needlessly.
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.
Central Virginia
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Good advice whatever you do. . safety first
Wallace - Abosolutely! You make great points in your post. WE must watch out for ourselves - otherwise who will???? We have a secured lobby - no one can get beyond it unless we let them in. Works well for us. And we don't take cash either. I never want anyone to determine that we are an easy place to withdraw cash! Thanks for sharing.
Fernanco - thank you for your comment.
Betty - I have a glass entry door to my office and I keep it locked when I am in. I have a drop box outside my office and rent checks can be slipped under my door. As property managers, we have a LOT of owner and resident financial information, so keeping it SECURE is my PRIORITY!
Agree - We have password protected computers, a monitored alarm system on the office and written procedures to guide employees. Security MUST be a priority.