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A group of Tampa Bay lawmakers have filed a series of bills to support tenants facing eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A group of Tampa Bay lawmakers have filed a series of bills to support tenants facing eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Posted: Feb 01, 2021
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A group of Tampa Bay lawmakers have filed a series of bills to support tenants facing eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A group of Tampa Bay lawmakers have filed a series of bills to support tenants facing eviction during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sen. Darryl Rouson filed SB 412 and SB 926 in an effort to address eviction records and housing insecurity. 

The Residential Tenancies bill, SB 412, would help address housing insecurity by referring matters of eviction to mediation in circuit courts with established mediation programs. It would also remove the requirement for the tenant to deposit money owed during eviction proceedings into the court registry.

“Our state should be utilizing mediation to discuss options for tenants and landlords prior to the eviction proceeding,” Rouson said at a press conference Monday. 

Rep. Fentrice Driskell filed the Senate’s companion bill HB 481. 


The related bill, Eviction Records (SB 926), would allow for defendants to move to seal their eviction record if the court finds they were adversely affected by COVID-19. The bill would apply to eviction complaints filed after March 1, 2020. “What we’re really trying to do here, to put it very plainly, is to help level the playing field and make sure that we can slow it down a bit so that we can hear the facts,” Driskell said.

The goal: to prevent future landlords from refusing to rent to tenants adversely impacted by COVID-19. 

“Nothing is more sacred than adequate shelter, safe and secure housing, particularly during a health crisis,” Rouson said. “We allow records to be expunged and sealed for criminal offenses. Why not for the unfortunate situation of an eviction so that people can truly get a clean, start.” 

Rep. Dianne Hart filed the companion bill for eviction records, HB 657. 


During Monday’s press conference, Rouson emphasized that nearly 180 families a day are being evicted from their homes in Florida. “Even with a moratorium in place many people were not spared from the process of losing their homes,” Hart said. “Even though these circumstances were not within anyone’s control, once you have an eviction on your record, it is exceedingly difficult to find another landlord willing to give you an opportunity to rent.”

“This is not a partisan issue. The landlord does not ask your party affiliation when he begins an eviction process,” Rouson said. “No one likes going through an eviction process, why not have mediation, to discuss options between landlords and tenants when people are unable to pay and afford the rent.”

Eviction-related bills spurred by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have been coming in hot to the Florida legislature. 

In early January, Sen. Shevrin Jones filed a bill, SB 576, which would prohibit landlords from refusing to enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant solely based on an eviction that occurred during the pandemic.

Back in December, the passage of the $900 billion federal relief package allocated about $1.4 billion in rental relief assistance to Florida.

But, without protection from the state, which let its eviction moratorium expire in September, more tenants may face evictions come March 31 — a deadline extended by the CDC.

A National Low Income Housing Coalition report found that Florida has the second highest eviction risk rate across the country. The report found that 15.6% of Florida renters were at risk of eviction in the two months following December, compared to a national risk of eviction rate of 8.4%.

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SUPPOSE I TOLD YOU THAT ONE DAY YOU MAY NOT OWN YOUR CONDO OR CO-OP EVEN THOUGH YOU PAID IT OFF IN FULL.

SUPPOSE I TOLD YOU THAT ONE DAY YOU MAY NOT OWN YOUR CONDO OR CO-OP EVEN THOUGH YOU PAID IT OFF IN FULL.

  • Posted: Feb 01, 2021
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SUPPOSE I TOLD YOU THAT ONE DAY YOU MAY NOT OWN YOUR CONDO OR CO-OP EVEN THOUGH YOU PAID IT OFF IN FULL.

by Eric Glazer / Glazer & Sachs / Condo Craze & HOA’s

 

In about 25 years a crisis is coming to the condo and co-op world  that will be shocking to say the least.  Here is the problem.  Many of you think that by purchasing your condo or co-op, you can live there forever, as long as the mortgage, taxes and assessments are paid.  You may be wrong.  Very wrong.

Florida condo and co-op law basically say:  Leaseholds.—

(1) A condominium or co-op may be created on lands held under lease or may include recreational facilities or other common elements or commonly used facilities on a leasehold if, on the date the first unit is conveyed by the developer to a bona fide purchaser, the lease has an unexpired term of at least 50 years. 

 

That’s right your condo could be built on land that you don’t own.  Land that you are leasing and someone else owns and who is simply leasing the underlying land to the condo association for 99 years.  After the 99 years are over, the lease may require that all property built on the land (meaning all of the condo units) revert back to and becomes owned by the owner of the land.  In other words, after 99 years, you lose your home.

Many of these 99 year leases began in the 1960s.  So, in about 40 years, lots of buildings will be faced with this fiasco if they don’t do something about it before then.  As the date gets closer to the expiration of the 99 year lease term, the value of the unit keeps going down.  How can you sell a unit to someone if in 5 years it reverts back to the underlying land owner?  That unit is valueless.

It’s amazing how many people have no idea that this is going to happen.  How many people thought that once they paid off their mortgage, they were safe and secure.  They were wrong.  One day, the underlying land owner will be able to make you purchase the unit all over again if you want to stay.  Or, simply kick everyone out and build something new or sell to a new developer.

The law should never have allowed condos or co-ops to be built on leased land.  But, this is Florida – the land where developers call the shots.

If you live in a community with such a land lease, you want to see if you can buy it out and obtain a deed to the land.  That will avoid the potential disaster that awaits.  The Florida Legislature better start thinking about this coming crisis and not wait for it to creep up on everyone.

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ACTION ALERT: The insurance industry is backing another bill that is trying to take away your rights and significantly reduce your coverage for roof damage.

ACTION ALERT: The insurance industry is backing another bill that is trying to take away your rights and significantly reduce your coverage for roof damage.

  • Posted: Jan 30, 2021
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The insurance industry is backing another bill that is trying to take away your rights and significantly reduce your coverage for roof damage.

The insurance industry is backing another bill that is trying to take away your rights and significantly reduce your coverage for roof damage. If passed, Senate Bill 76 could potentially cost Floridian homeowners millions of dollars.

We need homeowners and business owners in Tallahassee on Tuesday, February 2nd to be heard and oppose this bill.

 

Here are some highlights of the bill:
  • Insurance companies can limit coverage for roofs more than 10 years old based on a “roof reimbursement schedule.” This could result in significant out of pocket expenses for homeowners.
  • The roof reimbursement schedule limits coverage to a percentage of the amount to repair or replace the roof.

Coverage can be limited to:

  • 70% for metal roofs
  • 40% for concrete tile and clay tile roofs
  • 40% for wood shake and wood shingle roofs
  • 25% for all other roof types, including asphalt shingle roofs

 

  • Timeframe to report property damage claims, including Hurricanes, is reduced to 2 years!
  • Policyholders must send their insurer a Notice of Intent to file a lawsuit prior suing for recovery of insurance proceeds.
  • Notice of Intent must include: the amount of damages sought, a detailed estimate for repairs, the actions of the insurer that gave rise to the action, and the amount of attorney’s fees incurred by the insured policyholder.
  • Notice of Intent must be served at least 60 days before filing a lawsuit. Given the 90 day period insurers already have to adjust claims, adding 60 days means generally waiting 5 months from the date the claim was reported before being able to sue for failure to adequately pay the claim.
  • Limits policyholders’ ability to recover attorney’s fees in a lawsuit against their insurer, a right that has been guaranteed under Florida law for decades.

 

  READ the BILL

Insurance companies are making more in profits than ever before (read about the CEO earning $27 million here: https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state–regional/rate-hike-greedy-insurance-ceo-paid-27m-times-citizens-chief/DBgq9ulJnA3GHE0Ap6e8oJ/?template=ampart). Their profits are your losses!
We need every roofing company to bring a homeowner to the Tallahassee Civic Center on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, to testify against bad legislation backed by insurance companies. Please call your representative and tell them you oppose Senate Bill 76 because it is bad for property owners, insurance consumers and contractors. This could affect your home and your livelihood!
Homeowners, do not let the insurance industry take away your rights with Senate Bill 76. Your voice counts! Call or email your representative today!

 

At Cohen Law Group, It’s About Justice!

It’s more than a slogan, it’s our firm’s mantra. We are zealous in protecting your rights. We offer 24-hour availability through our answering service. Call us today.

(407) 478-4878

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Discriminatory Practices, Is Your Association Prepared? by Rembaum’s Association Roundup

Discriminatory Practices, Is Your Association Prepared? by Rembaum’s Association Roundup

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2021
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Discriminatory Practices, Is Your Association Prepared?

by Rembaum’s Association Roundup  presented by: Kaye Bender Rembaum

On September 26, 2016, Rembaum’s Association Round Up published an extremely important article regarding a community association’s potential liability when allegations by one member accuse another member of a discriminatory practice. (Click HERE to view the 2016 article). On September 13, 2016, HUD made clear that a housing provider is responsible for discriminatory practices that may take place. In its Rules and Regulations set out in Chapter 24, Part 100 of the Code of Federal Regulations, effective which further interprets the Federal Fair Housing Act, HUD explained that it believes that, “we are long past the time when racial harassment is a tolerable price for integrated housing; a housing provider is responsible for maintaining its properties free from all discrimination prohibited by the Act.” Those regulations became effective on October 14, 2016.

In this author’s opinion, HUD went way too far by mandating that housing providers act as the investigator, police, judge and jury in cases of alleged discrimination. After all, there are countless Fair Housing offices in each state where complaints can be filed and are actively investigated, often times with only a bare inference. Community association board members are volunteers with no required special training other than to be “certified” within 90 days of taking office, which certification can be met by signing a one-page form acknowledging duties or taking a two-hour class. Neither the individual board members nor the community as a whole should have to bear liability for its board of directors not taking action in a neighbor to neighbor dispute. Afterall, the court room is the proper setting where such matters should be resolved.

In the January 25, 2021, edition of the Palm Beach Post reporter Mike Diamond Special to Palm Beach Post USA TODAY NETWORK, authored an article titled “Judge Won’t Dismiss HOA Religious Bias Suit.” In the article the judge was quoted as follows: ““the La-Grassos [the plaintiff’s] have plausibly alleged a claim against the association for its failure to respond to or seek to control Ms. Tannenholz’s allegedly discriminatory conduct.” Amongst other things, the allegation is that Tannenholz’s told La-Grassos, “you do not belong in a community that is 80% Jewish and that La-Grassos should “move the F… out and go to a white supremist community.”

But for HUD’s position that a housing provider can have liability for discriminatory practices of the residents it is unlikely the association would be a defendant in this lawsuit. By forcing housing providers, such as Florida’s countless condominium, homeowners’ and cooperative associations, to interject themselves into what should be private disputes amongst neighbors, HUD is providing the deepest of pockets to the plaintiff’s attorneys. At the end of the day, it is just another reason to sue the innocent community association to create liability where there should not be any in the first place.

 

Practical Tip no. 1: In light of this lurking danger, be sure to check in with your association’s insurance agent to be sure the association has proper liability coverage for accusations of discrimination.

Practical Tip no. 2: Also, given that there can even be personal liability in such actions, board members would be wise to speak to their own personal insurance agents too… Afterall you never know when that umbrella policy may come in handy. Remember this, too: if one board member has knowledge about an event, then such knowledge can be imputed to all board members as if they are all similarly aware. In other words, when one board member knows, then the association itself is on notice.

Practical Tip no. 3: Consider formally adopting a “no discrimination” type of rule. It could be as simple as “discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated”.

Practical Tip no. 4: If your association is made aware of an alleged discriminatory practice, then a written record of such allegation and the association’s efforts to remedy the situation should be made.

Be sure to discuss each and every alleged discriminatory practice brought to the attention of the board and/or its manager with the association’s attorney to obtain the proper guidance needed.

 

Jeffrey Rembaum, Esq.

Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law and a community association lawyer with the law firm Kaye Bender Rembaum, in its Palm Beach Gardens office.

His law practice consists of representing condominium, homeowners, and cooperative associations, developers and unit owners throughout Florida.

He can be reached by email at JRembaum@KBRLegal.com or by calling 561-241-4462.

 

 

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The COVID-19 Vaccine & Your Community: How do you feel about your community becoming a point of distribution (POD)? by Becker

The COVID-19 Vaccine & Your Community: How do you feel about your community becoming a point of distribution (POD)? by Becker

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2021
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The COVID-19 Vaccine & Your Community: How do you feel about your community becoming a point of distribution (POD)?

by Becker Lawyers

Community leaders and residents have been tested by an unprecedented pandemic that created upheaval and strain worldwide.

Some communities suffered multiple infections and deaths, others struggled to strike the right balance between COVID-19 safety protocols and personal freedoms but all recognized that this public health crisis presented a novel challenge for both veteran board members and newcomers alike. With COVID-19 vaccines becoming available, many communities are considering whether or not to register to become a point of distribution (POD).

Please note that becoming a POD is subject to certain requirements and not every community will be eligible or able to meet the terms of the required agreements with vaccine providers.

Please take our 2-minute survey. For those communities who indicate a willingness to serve as a POD, and are a Becker client, your Becker attorney will assist your board in registering as a POD.

 

Please fill out the COVID-19 POD Servey

 

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Collections Tools for Self-Managed HOAs & Condos by Bob Gourley @Axela Technologies

Collections Tools for Self-Managed HOAs & Condos by Bob Gourley @Axela Technologies

  • Posted: Jan 28, 2021
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Collections Tools for Self-Managed HOAs & Condos

by Bob Gourley @Axela Technologies

 

When a condominium association or HOA makes the decision to self-manage, the Board of the association often must make difficult decisions about what to do themselves and what functions to outsource to third-party entities. What you need are the tools for collections for your self-managed condo or HOA.

Collecting common fees and assessments is the only way a self-managed association can fund itself and provide the goods and services to homeowners called for the association’s governance documents. Defaulting on these provisions is not an option. Ideally, all unit owners within the association remain solvent and pay their common fees and assessments on time. But what happens when they don’t? What tools are available to a self-managed condominium or HOA?

 

The High Cost of the Traditional Collection Method

Traditionally, collection of past-due common fees and assessments required hiring an attorney to represent the association in bringing forth a lien, and, if needed, a foreclosure action. While this approach can bring the association the title to a delinquent unit owner’s home, it isn’t always a profitable or even practical solution for the condominium or HOA.

Hiring an attorney creates additional risk in the form of legal fees that the association is bound to pay, regardless of the outcome of the legal actions. A well-intentioned association could very well spend more money than it could ever hope to receive in an attempt to collect past due monies they are owed and need to operate their associations.

 

New, Technology-Based Collections Tools for Self-Managed Associations

Axela Technologies decided to address the problem of common fee and assessment delinquency in a different and modern manner. As a full-fledged collection agency, Axela Technologies is able to offer true assistance to condominium associations and HOAs that find their budgets in jeopardy due to deficits created by delayed or delinquent common fees and assessments.

Charging no upfront money to the condominium association or HOA, Axela Technologies takes on the risk that would have been incurred by the expense of an attorney. The cost of using Axela Technologies is minimal and is passed on through the delinquent homeowner once the account is outsourced for collections.

This is an optimal situation for the association, and, to some extent, the delinquent homeowner, who is provided an opportunity to pay his common fees and assessments without having the onerous legal fees of an attorney added to his or her outstanding balance. The association minimizes risk and does not have to pay any fees to Axela Technologies. Additionally, Axela Technologies boasts a very high rate of successful collections, with only 5% remaining delinquent and requiring the use of an attorney to bring a foreclosure action against the delinquent homeowner.

Keep in mind that a foreclosure action still doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome for the self-managed condominium association or HOA. All the foreclosure action will do is gain title to the unit or home. It still needs to generate income, either through sale or rental, before the association may see some financial relief. While the attorney may assist in the foreclosure action, Axela Technologies will keep a vigilant eye on any surplus funds or other possible recovery for the condominium association or HOA. The goal is full recovery with minimal risk for the association.

 

Outsource Collections to Reduce Risk and Maximize Debt Recovery

Unless a self-managed condominium association or HOA is so well-funded that financial risk is of no concern to them, they would be well advised to outsource their collection efforts. Further, unless a self-managed condominium association or HOA wishes to risk spending money on legal fees, they would be well advised to outsource their collections to Axela Technologies. Axela Technologies’ history of successful condominium and HOA delinquency collection with no upfront cost or risk make them the easy choice.

The fact that their collection costs are far less than the legal fees charged by an attorney makes Axela’s collections tools a better choice, not just for the community, but also for the delinquent homeowner, giving them a much more likely chance to pay their delinquent fees and assessments to the association. Outsourcing collections to Axela Technologies is about minimizing risk and producing a successful outcome for all involved.

 

Learn more about Easy Collect, Axela’s collections solution for community associations here.

 

Need a Better Cash Flow for Your Condo or HOA?

YOUR COLLECTIONS PROCESS MAY BE WHAT’S HOLDING YOUR BUDGET BACK. LET US HELP WITH THIS FREE ANALYSIS.

A poor collections process can lead to a number of negative symptoms for a community association, from budget shortfalls to never-ending legal fees to loan denials for capital improvements. If your community is suffering, you may be looking in the wrong place for the right solution.

Axela Technologies specializes in community association collections. Our experts have years of CAM industry knowledge, combined with a deep understanding of collections processing.

Learn More!   In just 30 minutes, our experts will work with you to identify the areas in your current collections process that are not working, and give you actionable advice on how to improve your current process, increase the amount you are collecting, and save your community money.

Fill out the form to set up your free collections analysis now. Your analysis is completely free, and you are under no obligation to take any action.

It’s time to take a good, hard look at your collections process. Your community members, your board, and your budget will thank you!

 

 

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MANY OF YOU LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOVERNED BY TWO ASSOCIATIONS. MASTER V. SUB – PART TWO

MANY OF YOU LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOVERNED BY TWO ASSOCIATIONS. MASTER V. SUB – PART TWO

  • Posted: Jan 27, 2021
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MANY OF YOU LIVE IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOVERNED BY TWO ASSOCIATIONS.

MASTER V. SUB – PART TWO

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

Today we continue with  a very interesting case that was just decided by Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal.  RIVIERA-FORT MYERS MASTER ASSOCIATION, INC., v. GFH INVESTMENTS, LLC.  2020 WL 7767856.  To simplify, in a mixed-use community, meaning a community made up of commercial property and residential housing, the Master Association adopted seven amendments to the community’s master declaration. The court referred to the sub associations as the “Liner Buildings.”  In general terms, the amendments addressed the Master Association’s authority to approve proposed uses of the property located in the sub communities, (Liner Buildings) increased assessments on them, and imposed additional restrictions on the Liner’s tenants.

Again, I write about the case because it is a great learning case about the relationship between a Master and a Sub and about community living in general. 

CAN THE MASTER ASSOCIATION MAKE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING PETS THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE SUBS?

We agree with the Master association’s assertion that these restrictions on number, size, type,and breed of pets are reasonable, as are the requirements that owners leash and pick up after their animals. The Liner Buildings are in relatively close proximity to the condominium buildings, and it is inevitable that dogs kept in the Liner Buildings will need to go outside and use the common areas of the property, and they can therefore be regulated to a reasonable degree to protect the community members’ mutual enjoyment of the common areas. Cf. Majestic View Condo. Ass’n v. Bolotin, 429 So. 2d 438, 440 (Fla. 4th DCA 1983) (implying in dicta that such pet restrictions are reasonable in the condominium setting). As such, the circuit court erred in enjoining the enforcement of this amendment.

WHAT ABOUT PARKING RULES?

In this case, the Master Association made a rule that said the owners in the sub associations cannot park in common areas and can only park in designated parking spaces assigned to that community.  In upholding the decision of the Master Association, the court relied on Juno By The Sea North Condominium Ass’n (The Towers), Inc. v. Manfredonia, 397 So. 2d 297 (Fla. 4th DCA 1980), a seventy-unit condominium building had three parking lots: a covered lot with twenty spaces that had been designated in the master declaration as limited common elements and sold to individual unit owners who had exclusive use of those spaces; a second lot that had been designated as a common element with fifty spaces that were unassigned; and a third lot across the street with additional auxiliary parking. Id. at 301. Due to congestion, the condominium association assigned the fifty spaces in the common area lot to the fifty units that did not own exclusive spaces in the covered lot. Id. The owners of the covered spaces sued, contending that the association could not prohibit their use of the common area lot. The Fourth District disagreed. To the contrary, the court held that the limitation on use of the common area lot passed the test of reasonableness because the association’s plan fairly ensured that each unit had access to parking. Id. at 302–05. Thus, even though the fifty-space lot remained a common area, its use reasonably could be restricted to certain unit owners.

CAN THE MASTER ASSOCIATION AMEND THE GOVERNING DOCS TO IN EFFECT CONTROL THE LEASING PROVISIONS IN THE SUB COMMUNITY?

Here is what the court said:

The Liner Buildings, although separate structures, are part of a community for which courts have granted “a greater degree of control over and limitation upon the rights of the individual owner than might be tolerated given more traditional forms of property ownership.” Seagate Condo. Ass’n v. Duffy, 330 So. 2d 484, 486 (Fla. 4th DCA 1976), approved sub nom. Woodside Vill. Condo. Ass’n v. Jahren, 806 So. 2d 452 (Fla. 2002). Indeed, the court in Seagate held that even an absolute prohibition against the leasing of units in a condominium complex can be a reasonable use limitation: Given the unique problems of condominium living in general and the special problems endemic to a tourist oriented community in South Florida in particular, appellant’s avowed objective—to inhibit transiency and to impart a certain degree of continuity of residence and a residential character to their community—is, we believe, a reasonable one, achieved in a not unreasonable manner by means of the restrictive provision in question. The attainment of this community goal outweighs the social value of retaining for the individual unit owner the absolutely unqualified right to dispose of his property in any way and for such duration or purpose as he alone so desires. Id. at 486–87. We reach the same conclusion here and conclude that the amendment adopting section 10.12 is reasonable and enforceable.

 

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Problem with a Pipe?  call Me Ronnie-G “The Pipe Guy”

Problem with a Pipe?  call Me Ronnie-G “The Pipe Guy”

  • Posted: Jan 26, 2021
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Problem with a Pipe  call Me Ronnie-G “The Pipe Guy”

Call or Text Ron Giles at 561-602-8660 or email ronnieg@prspipe.com 

Pipe Restoration Solutions

 

#MiamiDade #Broward #PalmBeach #Monroe #Martin #PropertyManager #Sewer #CondoHOA #BoardPresident #Business #Industrial #Residential #PipeLining #CondoSpecialists #Assisted_Living_Facilities, #Hospitals #CAI_Southeast #CAI_Goldcoast #CAI #BOMA #NTHC #SFPMA #PCAM #LCAM #Realtor #Homeowner #SeHablaEspanol #CAI_Certified_Partner #USA_Lower48 #cipp #nodig #trenchlesstechnolo

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Axela Technologies Secures Series A Financing Round Led by Blueprint Equity by Mitch Drimmer

Axela Technologies Secures Series A Financing Round Led by Blueprint Equity by Mitch Drimmer

  • Posted: Jan 25, 2021
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Axela Technologies Secures Series A Financing Round Led by Blueprint Equity

by Mitch Drimmer / Axela Technologies

MIAMI, January 19, 2021 (Newswire.com) – Axela Technologies, the nation’s leading provider of collection services to the Community Association Industry, announced today that it has received a minority growth equity investment from Blueprint Equity. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. In conjunction with the investment, Blueprint Equity will join the Board of Directors.

Since launching in 2018, Axela has demonstrated the effectiveness of its software solutions that manage an association’s collection files. Unlike traditional attorneys or collection agencies, Axela deploys a multi-touch, digital-first approach to engage and work with unit owners that have fallen behind on their assessments.

“Resorting to legal action and foreclosure should be the absolute last step to any collection effort,” states Martin Urruela, Axela Founder and CEO. “Yet for years, it’s been the knee-jerk reaction by community associations when a homeowner falls behind on just a few months of assessments. It doesn’t have to be so drastic and costly, and that’s where we come in.”

The financing round builds on an exceptional year for Axela, which saw its customer count grow by over 200% in 2020. The company currently works with hundreds of management companies in 21 states, and boasts a 99% success rate of resolving collection files without resorting to legal action.

“What really stuck out to us was Axela’s approach to collections, long considered an unattractive and confrontational industry,” said Sheldon Lewis, Managing Partner of Blueprint, who also joined the company’s Board.” Axela was built around a philosophy that by helping the homeowners, they help the association, and everybody wins. Powered by the right technology, the company is well-positioned to scale across this vast market and become the industry standard.”

When asked about the use of the investment funds, Urruela stated that the company would aggressively expand its sales and marketing efforts, as well as double down on product and engineering. “We have to get the word out that we have a new and innovative solution to an age-old problem. We’re extremely proud of our customer retention rate – we’ve never lost a client, or experienced a scenario where an association decides to go back to the old way of doing things after working with us.”

 

ABOUT AXELA TECHNOLOGIES

Axela Technologies is a collections firm that specializes in recovering delinquent assessments for the benefit of community associations. Axela reduces the cost of outreach and engagement by automating much of the standardized collections process, all while providing exceptional customer service and a centralized platform for all stakeholders to promote transparency and efficiency. To learn more about Axela, visit axela-tech.com.

 

ABOUT BLUEPRINT EQUITY

Blueprint Equity provides expansion capital to rapidly growing enterprise software and technology-enabled services businesses across North America. To learn more about Blueprint Equity, visit onblueprint.com.

 

 

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Key Technology Trends & Challenges in Residential Property Management By Concierge Plus

Key Technology Trends & Challenges in Residential Property Management By Concierge Plus

  • Posted: Jan 18, 2021
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Key Technology Trends & Challenges in Residential Property Management

By 

Efficient and effective residential property management is hinged on the expectations of residents and the capabilities of managers. The key challenge is bridging the two – a task that has become increasingly difficult and complex due to COVID-19.

It’s no secret that the rapid onset of the new normal has caught some residential property managers off guard, resulting in less than ideal experiences for residents. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of helpful tech trends that property managers can turn to in order to meet the needs, expectations, and challenges brought on by the new normal. We will look at two key areas that cover a wide range of tech trends within property management.

Using technology to adapt to the challenges the future brings

The key to using tech that’s future proof is to ensure that your tech solutions are able to integrate with other 3rd party solutions. This is a crucial aspect of any type of property management technology. As Nathaniel Kunes of the Forbes Real Estate Council writes, a surefire way to do this is to embrace the rapid digital transformation of the world, which can drag a lot of traditional property management tasks into the 21st century. Allowing residents to pay their bills through online platforms for instance eliminates a lot of the legwork that both residents and managers need in order to settle the regular task of processing bills. Today, rental applications and leasing forms can also be processed digitally. Even just familiarizing yourself with the messaging apps preferred by residents can make the communication aspect of property management much easier.

Digital technology is fast becoming the future of all business, with its continuous development being pursued by top tech companies and universities. Indeed, today’s tech-inclined universities are basing their courses around innovation in digital and mobile technologies – as well as their various applications across all types of business. Maryville University’s online computer science programs were rewarded by tech giant Apple for their innovations in digital development, a clear indication of how prominent digital technology now is in business education.

Many of those entering the real estate industry from higher education would have covered these new developments and will be able to apply them to their companies. And by hitching on the bandwagon of property management technology, innovation, and knowledge, you can more easily communicate with residents, settle recurring bills with ease, or manage rental applications from the comfort of your computer.

An investment in digital is an investment in integrative technologies that can adapt to any property management challenges the future has in store. In fact, these are just some of the many tasks that can be more easily tackled through today’s emerging digital property management technologies.

 

Social distancing and automation

Also called physical distancing, social distancing has been proven to be an effective way to curtail the pandemic’s rapid spread. This has made the need for social distancing a constant throughout residential property management.

From the safe and continued use of common areas to the efficient management of deliveries to residents, social distancing takes center stage – necessitating a lot of added paperwork in the process. Indeed, logistics companies like UPS and FedEx have begun hiring additional staff as a preemptive measure against potential holiday delivery delays – an aftermath of the pandemic-related surge in online shopping throughout the year. For property managers, responding to this challenge means adapting new ways for residents to receive their packages in a timely manner – all while minimizing foot traffic and maintaining social distancing throughout the building.

This is where Concierge Plus’ online resident experience management software can help. Through our centralized digital platform, property managers can automate the way residents receive any deliveries, such as getting instant notifications through mobile texts or even automated calls once packages arrive at the building. The interface can also be customized to denote specific times or in-building locations for pick-up, which can be used to further enforce social distancing even during the busiest delivery times. Integrated with smart parcel providers like Snaile, the process can be further automated and made more convenient for residents, property managers, and delivery personnel alike. Furthermore, the efficient management of deliveries throughout the property is just one task that can be automated through this type of software. Others include the building’s pet registry, incident reports, service requests, common area reservations, board announcements, and many other aspects of management that can be automated through a centralized interface. And because the platform digitally records residents’ transaction history, you can also remove unmanageable physical paperwork from the equation, as well as provide greater transparency for residents.

It’s not that difficult to identify which tech trends can actually help you to address the new challenges of residential property management. The key is to look for technology that can automate and streamline your manual processes, ride the tide of digital transformation, integrate with 3rd party suppliers, and promote transparency between residents and building management. This is especially true if the residential properties you manage were hit hard by COVID-19. In the face of the massive new challenges that accompany the new normal, investing in the right technologies can give you the tools you need to keep your residents safe, happy, and satisfied.

 

Read This Article: Why Community Associations Must Go Digital

 

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