HAA Blog

Update, 08/18/10: Two more articles on bedbugs

This one from Time Magazine details just how hard it is to kill bedbugs.

This one from KTRH 740 AM includes an interview with HAA.

This story from Fox 26 says that bedbugs are becoming more of a problem in Houston.

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Check out this video from www.khou.com on identifying bedbugs and HAA's new bedbug addendum.

Bedbugs are rearing their tiny, blood-sucking heads in Houston area apartments, businesses and homes. 

Please check out these resources for dealing with bedbugs from the National Apartment Association.

Check out the sample Bedbug addendum here:Bedbug Addendum - Sample

Renters:

If you suspect that you have a bed bug infestation, please contact your management office immediately.  The more quickly that an infestation can be appropriately treated, the less likely it is to spread to other renters.

Tips for identifying bed bugs can be found here.

Managers:

A "Bedbug Awareness Addendum" is also available from HAA for owners/managers to use as an addendum to their lease.  The addendum makes renters aware of what bedbugs are, how they are transmitted and how to protect their valuables from becoming infested.  The addendum also clearly defines responsibility for remediation of bedbug infestations.  Please contact Frances in Form Sales, to order any lease forms, applications or addendums for your property. 

Please consider using an HAA member pest control company when seeking bedbug treatment options.  

Construction Scheduled for Three Capital Improvement Plan Projects in Houston Parks

The following announcement was received from the City  of Houston's Parks and Recreation Department. 

 City of Houston Can Help

If you are experiencing costly stoppages in your plumbing lines with grease buildup, the City of Houston can help. Bill Goloby, Project Manager with the City’s Public Works Department can supply you with educational pamphlets, a universal lid that will fit on any size can and a refrigerator magnet to remind the renters to collect their used cooking grease and to dispose of it in the trash rather than the kitchen sink disposer.

You can contact Mr. Goloby at bill.goloby@houstontx.gov. He will be happy to deliver enough materials for you to give to all your renters. They will be yours to hand out to the renters when they come by the office to pay their bills, get their mail, or let you know about a sewer backup.

More information on the City of Houston's Corral the Grease Program can be found here: http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/utilities/corral_grease.html 

Please plan on dropping off supplies at one of the designated collection sites on Monday, July 26. 

All supplies will be sorted and delivered to the appropriate charities on July 27, so we absolutely must have supplies by close of business on the 26th. 

• Properties in Southwest Houston should deliver supplies to the Century A/C location at 10510 West Sam Houston Parkway South (77099).
• Properties in Southeast Houston or Clear Lake should deliver supplies to the Century A/C location at 9100 Winkler (77017).
• Properties in the Galleria area and properties inside the 610 loop should deliver supplies to the Ameritex Movers location at 8625 Schumacher Lane (77063).
• Properties in North Houston should deliver supplies to the For Rent Media Solutions location at 600 Century Plaza Drive, Ste 130-A (77073).
• Properties in West Houston should deliver their supplies to the Houston Apartment Association location at 4810 Westway Park Blvd (77041).

Check out this link for more information about the school supply drive! 

We have received increasing reports from law enforcement officials in Harris County and Houston regarding rent check thefts/fraud in the last two weeks. 

They are happening mostly at properties with drop boxes for afterhours rent payments.  Criminals "fish" checks out with sticky paper or other devices. 

The most commonly targetted type of documents are money orders. 

We recommend the following tips to RENTERS:

• If at all possible, pay your rent in person during business hours and obtain a receipt. 
• Use a check, instead of a money order, as a bank may be more likely to prosecute fraud.
• Pay rent online, if your community offers that option.
• If you must drop your rent check off after hours, wait as long as you can to do so (i.e. wait until the morning, instead of dropping it in overnight - to reduce the amount of time that your check is sitting in the drop box).

We recommend the following tips to MANAGERS:

• Alert residents to potential risks of using money orders and drop boxes.
• Install a piece of metal inside your drop box to make the opening as narrow as possible (making it more difficult to "fish" out items).
• Utilize a drum style drop box (like US Postal Service mail boxes). 
• Post a notice in your leasing office window that states "All monies are taken to the bank nightly."

Also, check out these tips from Harris County Sherriff's Office Criminal Investigations Bureau.

The Houston Apartment Association’s Community Outreach Committee needs your feedback. The committee is working to put together resources for you and your residents in an easy to use Renters Resource Kit.

We have compiled a short (5 question) survey that will help us understand what you and your residents need most. Click the link below to fill out the survey, and feel free to pass it on to your staff.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/L96FPYG  

Thank you for helping us better serve you.

To reduce your energy usage this summer, check out some of the these efficiency tips and hints from Direct energy.

Lighting

- Use your energy-saving light bulbs that can last up to ten times longer than a normal bulb and use up to 75 percent less energy.

- Install motion sensors on external lights.

Hot Water and Taps

-Insulate your water heater pipes. Your water will stay hotter longer.

-Take showers instead of baths.

-Avoid washing dishes in hot running water. Instead, fill the sink halfway and scrub away.

-Repair dripping hot water taps immediately.

Home appliances

- Microwaves use substantially less energy than ovens.

- Defrost your freezer regularly. When ice builds up, your freezer uses more electricity.

- Keep your fridge at least three quarters full for maximum efficiency.

- Wash laundry with full loads, in order to use the machine less.

- Use your dryer for consecutive loads. The built-up heat means less energy spent.

- When looking for new appliances, look for ENERGY STAR labeled appliances. These products are more energy efficient.

- Put the lids on pots when boiling water to save energy and cook food quicker.

For more information visit directenergy.com 

As July 4 approaches, and fireworks stands open up, make sure you are aware of any firework regulations and how to be safe when around them. Here are a few important tips from the Houston Fire Department that will help you:

FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON!

Remember that it is illegal to discharge fireworks or to have fireworks in your possession in the City of Houston.

Harris County residents should also be aware that HFD will be enforcing the fireworks ban in the Limited Purpose Annexation areas. Firework stands open June 23 and the Fire Marshals will be patrolling the areas where stands have set up near the city limits beginning the day they open. 

The fines are anywhere from $500 - $2000 for each individual firework!

Please visit: http://www.hcfmo.net/fireworks.aspx  for more information on fireworks safety and the law regarding their use including maps of the ban areas.

The best way to view fireworks is always at one of the public displays anyway because they always have the best fireworks and it is much safer than shooting them off around your house. Look for lists of scheduled fireworks shows on-line and in the papers. I will also forward you any that I find.
AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, NEVER, EVER USE FIREARMS IN CELEBRATION. Remember: A bullet shot into the air has to come down somewhere.

Do you still have some room for improvement left after last week's post? If so, here are the 3 final tips that will help you improve your customer service skills.

 3. Fulfill Your Promises – A good rule of thumb is if that you say that you are going to do something, do it! Promises are meant to be fulfilled, and they act as tools that will lead to a desired end. Keeping your promise to the resident sends a message that you are there for them. Will there be times when you will get busy and forget to complete a promise? Yes! We are all human, and our residents understand that. If we make a mistake, we should be honest. Professionals admit when they failed to accomplish the task and apologize. This can earn a second chance to exceed the consumer’s expectations.

4. Always Be Learning – The age-old cliché affirms that knowledge is power. Customer service-oriented professionals are interested in learning how to stay sharp and relevant in their profession. Taking classes such as the NALP, CAM, CAMT and CAPS will assist you in learning how to better resolve on-site issues. As an educated professional, you will be more efficient in resolving matters and making your residents happy, and using the techniques that you will learn will increase your confidence.

5. Be Selfless, Not Selfish – HAA’s Leasing 101 course teaches the saying, “Never take home to work.” In customer service, there is no room for to mix your personal life with your profession. Bill Shankly, one of Britain’s most successful and respected football managers stated, “Above all, I would like to be remembered as a man who was selfless, who strove and worried so that others could share the glory, and who built up a family of people who could hold their heads up high and say, ‘We’re Liverpool.’” Likewise, customer service is about building a culture and finding pride and accomplishment in that culture.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, customer service is the ability to be selfless in a selfish community. Strive to be better than your counterparts in your approach with residents. Professionally, you can reach amazing heights by just using your gifts to establish a favorable relationship with your residents.

Jordan Sneed, NALP is a dedicated advocate for the multi-family profession, as it has been an amazing avenue for him to utilize his entrepreneurial skills. He currently holds a Nation Leasing Professional Designation, and is a currently pursuing the Certified Apartment Managers Designation. His ultimate goal is to become a Multi-Family Training Consultant.

The Galveston Housing Authority is now on the web. Take a look at their website, find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!

• The GHA has been a leader in providing affordable housing to the City of Galveston for the past five decades. With these new online tools they have provided, you will be able to stay current with the latest information from your GHA.