Appreciating Your Rental Management Staff
December 15th, 2008 by Oh My ApartmentAs the holidays roll around, you may be thinking about what you can do for the people that make your life easier year round. Maybe you’re considering a larger tip for your hairdresser or cards for your co-workers. Have the apartment management staff made that list? They work hard to make sure that the property is maintained and your apartment is comfortable, even if things are not always perfect. Here are four ways to show your appreciation for them:
1. A plate of cookies or other treats can really show apartment management staff that you appreciate their effort. The fact that you took the time to actually make something specifically for them can show appreciation in a way that a random trinket can’t.
2. Depending on your apartment’s culture, you can tip apartment staff. If you choose to tip, though, it’s important to make sure that you tip the entire staff. A typical tip for an apartment building superintendent is between $50 and $200. For a doorman or concierge, $10 to $80 is appropriate, depending on how often you require their help. For a handyman, $15 to $40 is appropriate. If you live in a larger complex with an office staff, tipping may be more complicated.
3. If a staff member at your apartment has gone above and beyond the call of duty, it can be appropriate to give them a more personalized gift, although there can be some limitations on the gifts that their employer allows them to receive from tenants.
4. Jeff Staley, the head of the Apogee Companies which manages apartment communities in eleven states, recommends a letter or card of appreciation. “Managers and companies love to receive these types of testimonials. Property managers and site personnel are motivated in the same way as most other people, ‘praise for a job well done.’”
Gift-giving can vary significantly between apartments; many apartments buildings or complexes have different senses of community than others. Staley mentioned one apartment complex in particular, with an amazing sense of community: “We have a site in Houston, Texas where several of the residents bring lunch and dinner to our office staff on a weekly basis. These residents are so happy with the management of the property and so close-knit, that they go out of their way to provide home-cooked meals for our staff as a gesture of appreciation.”
While few apartment communities are as close as the one Staley mentioned, the holidays are a great opportunity to show apartment staff your appreciation.
Giving a gift to your apartment management staff this year? Post your ideas below.
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December 21st, 2008 at 12:59 am
We pay enough for these apartments I don’t feel that gift-giving is essential to good upkeep.
December 28th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
The tenants in my place would love to give management a going away present. We give management a present and they in turn go away.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:45 am
As an apartment manager, I have to say, the writing of a card thanking the management team is perfectly good to give as a gift. And even though you feel like you pay enough money per month…that cost nothing to jot down a couple of thanks for sticking your hand down my toilet cause nobody WANTS to do some of those things, and I’m sure maintenance would be appreciate that you took that time to let them know that.
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
If your on-site resident manager(s) is/are properly doing his/her job, then a note of thanks for taking care of the tenants, and the myriad of multiple building issues is a very small price to pay for the many hours of unappreciated customer care that good managers give to tenants. However, if the property management company or owners that the on-site manager works with are total slum-dogs & the manager’s hands are tied at every turn to get things done or repaired properly, etc…then rude tenants that pay high rent don’t seem to have a clue nor do they see the blood, sweat & yea, tears that go into managing an apartment building…so until you have walked in an apartment managers shoes…don’t judge! Be happy that you have a job and a roof over your head because some people don’t have that. Hello-Holla’ ;>)
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Ditto to your comment apartment manager. I just did a simple happy new year note & posted doors in a 38-unit building that I managed, and it is amazing how much respect you get back your way when you give respect to others. Thus, respect your neighbor as you would respect yourself really does work. Happy New Year…may 2009 be divine. :>)
January 7th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Management would love a tip to go along with the letter, no? I am a tenant in NYC in a huge building with management, doormen, etc. Being in the service industry myself, I have often been profusely complimented for working my butt off, yet many millionaires are unwilling to put their money where their mouth is. And many other clients understand that we work for money, and should be rewarded and punished as such (it is often the ones who waited tables on the way up). If someone deserves it, why not give a tip at the Holidays to show appreciation? Even $10 a tenant would add up. Or a plate of cookies. On the other hand, if someone can be given a promotion or raise due to your thank you/recommendation letter, then such a “note” is appropriate.
Also understand: because you pay high rent does not mean building employees see any of it. Actually, you paying a base rent has nothing to do with showing appreciation. Take up the too-high rent with the building’s owner (who is quite often NOT the management).
January 9th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
oh listen to that modesty. what they’re really saying “the better the bribe the better i’ll treat you”.
that simple.
so, just don’t keep it to cards and simple thank yous. you’ll see the huge difference when you play the game properly.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
i’d love to do the same for tenants… we have some rotten ones and i’d chip in for some major trinkets saying “audios!”
i knew some managers in my time i’d love to give a present… a well wisher for their time spend making a mess out of everything.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
yeh, especially when some management gets all accusatory when you come in with genuine complaints.
where i live… apartments are “extended” closets become rooms and the price hikes are astounding.
when you have issues with a tenant suddenly you are a:
racist
vengeful
busy body
pest
trouble maker (in general)
so, all i have to say is, screw management.
where i live if you aren’t good, good, GOOD friends with management, the owners, the management company and staff in general…. or you aren’t related in some way…… you are a waste of their time.
i had so much trouble with relatives to the management company where i now reside it’s incredible. as long as you are part of the family you can do almost IF not (shall i accuse) everything, bad, worse, horrible, damaging, so on.
i lived above relatives to the management company and they got away with literally murder. everything from trash in the hallways, careless smoking, drugs, child abuse, noise 24/7, harassment (of many tenants in the building) it was endless.
many complained, very many but they all got the same response:
they have revenge on their minds, nothing more.
ok, that’s what they make lawyers for!
suddenly things got a bit calmer when that L word is mentioned.
my harassing neighbors have since moved and from what i hear their new neighbors are having the worst time of their lives!
January 12th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
volunteer to do their job for the day while they take the day off.
January 17th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I’ll appreciate management the day they begin to appreciate their tenants. But until that day arrives, get you own plate of cookies!!!
January 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
You can blatantly tell that the Managers wrote some of these replys, Tanya and Rosey.. Rolls Eyes- how immature, the residents rent pay your salaries and the residents are not an inconvenience they are the reason you have a job. This article shouldn’t of even been posted all it does is cause an uproar to unsatisfied people, but you can’t please everyone all the time. Random acts of kindness, if you want someone to do something nice then you do something nice, if you need a hug give a hug. Get the picture. It costs nothing to be kind, the world is already full of hate. Don’t air all your dirty laundry out here with the problems you have with the “Owners” that is totally unprofessional calling them “slum lords” even if they are you don’t need to tell that to the residents, that just shows your I.Q. What about a Resident Appreciation day or week, like as they are driving out of the property to go to work you hand them a juice and a bagel or something. When you are kind and show appreciation it comes back to you ten fold. Residents shouldn’t have to be told to do something for the office staff that is just opening up pandora’s box. Someone doesn’t understand the first thing about Psychology or Management. I know for a fact this “class act” of management act is rude and sucks, they are lucky they even have jobs. One deals drugs and the other one is a Thief DELUXE well both of then one more so than the other but about equal, partners in crime, whatever owner gave them the reigns of this place is CRAZY… I bet they aren’t making anymore sure it is going in their pockets.. Check it.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Hey butch, I am confused at what your point is….first you say “You can blatantly tell that the Managers wrote some of these replys, Tanya and Rosey.. Rolls Eyes- how immature, the residents rent pay your salaries and the residents are not an inconvenience they are the reason you have a job.” Suggesting that you also are not satisfied with management,
then you follow with “Don’t air all your dirty laundry out here with the problems you have with the “Owners” that is totally unprofessional calling them “slum lords” even if they are you don’t need to tell that to the residents, that just shows your I.Q.” that suggest that you are some sort of residential manager,
but wait you follow up with “I know for a fact this “class act” of management act is rude and sucks, they are lucky they even have jobs. One deals drugs and the other one is a Thief DELUXE well both of then one more so than the other but about equal, partners in crime, whatever owner gave them the reigns of this place is CRAZY” Ever heard of the word hypocrite, or the saying “Practice what you preach” ? Get your story straight then let us know how you feel…
To the whole cookie and/or note suggestion, I agree with the person who says “get your own plate of cookies”! And to you managers that like to post on here, your hilarious, take a look at what you really do and what your satisfaction rate is! If its high good for you, if not (majority) then shut up and do your job, its called work for a reason!
February 11th, 2009 at 3:18 am
If the staffs were nice as they suppose to be, million cookies and other things would’ve been given to them everyday, believe me.
Why do i have to appreciate them when they treat us like a prisoner; rude and annoying don’t deserve cookies!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I am an Assistant Manager at an apartment complex that just received a “Superior” rating on a recent resident satisfaction survey. We care about our residents, and we DO have resident appreciation events every month (such as showing a movie in our theater or handing out breakfast to residents as they are leaving the community in the morning). Maybe we are just lucky–our residents bring us gifts on a regular basis, just because.
To those of you who have unfortunate dealings with apartment staff, I feel truly for you….but not all of us are like that. Some of us actually love our jobs and the relationships that are created with our residents.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I am very pleased with my current Property Manager and staff of Venterra Reality. I enjoy the
welcoming atmosphere that Venterra staff has restored in our community. At one time we were a
luxury apartment community by name and not by convenience , Venterra has revived us. Venterra has come in and hit the ground running with new ideas in landscape, interior and exterior design, as well as community involvement (such as showing a movie in our community center or, installing a free gourmet coffee machine for residents as they enter and for those leaving the community). Venterra has changed the way we live. The community has become more involved in monthly activities through new ideas from entertainment to forum discussion, merely simplifying the way we relate to each other with our intranet thanks to the Venterra staff. I can only speak for myself when I say I truly appreciate the relationship that we have together.
Sincerely, Mr. Hemingway
May 11th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
We had a couple of residents volunteer to come in and help us out in the office. It was nice. They answered the phones and filed while we watched a movie in the back office.
May 11th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
wow
June 16th, 2009 at 6:06 am
Has anyone on here noticed that, among all these responses, those that praise management and recommend letters/notes of appreciation are all well written and grammatically correct while those that criticize management and disapprove of any display of gratitude are all poorly written, grammatically incorrect, and full of disdain? I’m only a tenant, not affiliated with management or owners in any way but I’ve worked in the service industry (retail and restaurant) for 15 years and I know from experience (work and life in general) “you get more bees with honey than with vinegar.” Dealing with people, regardless of the industry, is difficult and stressful, but add to that the fact that rental management staff deal with maintenance problems, neighbor-to-neighbor complaints, disgruntled tenants, unwarranted hostility, and illicit behaviors/lifestyles; it baffles me that all these people are so ignorant and malicious. I can say with a level of certainty that the same people on here complaining about management are the same pompous ingrates that degrade restaurant servers, make flagrant demands of them, and treat them as insignificant derelicts; and then of course, tip inadequately. Have these people not seen the movie “Waiting”? For those who are managers - - If only there were a movie about apartment managers that correlates to the movie “Waiting.”