Dwelo Investing $20 Million To Bring Smart Technology To Apartments

June 12, 2019

A leading smart-technology company in the multifamily space is investing $20 million to bring more smart technology to apartments such as thermostats, locks, light switches, and more to apartment communities, according to a release.

Dwelo technology is now helping customers in more than 200 apartment communities and about 50,000 apartment units.

“Smart technology is generating tremendous returns for our customers as both a resident amenity and an operational tool,” said Mike Rovito, CEO of Dwelo, in a release.

Smart technology to apartments

“We’re adding thousands of units to the platform each month, and this investment will help us deliver the same quality of service to every one of those residents and managers. At the same time, we are pouring significant resources into R&D, which we expect will create more value for all those working and living at Dwelo’s apartment communities.”

Dwelo is focused on the multifamily industry. They provide their customers – owners, managers, and residents – with web and mobile applications that allow them to control smart devices across their communities, according to the release.

The platform saves time and money, reduces risk, provides users convenience, and improves security for the entire asset while offering end-to-end support. With this technology and service, residents live in the future, managers streamline their operations, and owners improve their NOI.

The company has completed an extension to its Series A round led by existing investors Wasatch Venture Holdings, with participation from Perot Jain, and several customers. Dwelo’s total investment in developing smart technology for apartments now exceeds $20 million.

“We were drawn to Dwelo because of the innovation and disruption they are driving within the multifamily industry,” said Joe Beard, Partner at Perot Jain, in the release. “Dwelo is solving real problems for owners, managers, and residents, and we believe they are the future of apartment living.”

Founded in 2014, Dwelo has experienced enormous growth and operates out of offices based in San Francisco, CA, Draper, UT, and Dallas, TX. The company works with more than 60 of the country’s leading multifamily developers, owners, and managers, including Alliance Residential, Wasatch Premier Communities, Howard Hughes, Pinnacle, and BH Management.

Dwelo’s customers have developed, own, or manage about half a million apartment units. The company is outfitting each of those units with smart devices like smart thermostats, locks, light switches, meters, voice controllers and more, while also supplying commercial smart technology solutions for common areas and perimeter access points.

This new round of funding will allow Dwelo to expand its operational footprint in order to bring industry-best implementation and support to more multifamily communities nationwide. That includes expanding its engineering and product team, driving its vision of a complete smart community platform. Investing in product and engineering will provide the tools and infrastructure necessary to ensure that the next 1,000 communities receive the same hallmark level of quality and reliability that the company’s first 200 communities have received, according to the release.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dwelo,” said Scott Stettler, CFO at Wasatch Venture Holdings, in the release. “Dwelo has proven time and again they are the right partner to bring smart technology applications to the multifamily industry. We see a growing demand from residents for smart apartments, and we are confident that Dwelo will continue to push and shape the limits of what is possible within the apartment space”.

Company Rolls Out Smart Apartment Technology Package To 25,000 Units

About Dwelo

Dwelo provides simple, seamless smart apartments to the owners and managers of multifamily communities. The company connects popular smart devices from Z-Wave, Nest, Kwikset, Yale, and others to proprietary mobile and web applications as well as voice platforms like Amazon Echo and Google Home. Dwelo’s platform enables residents to enjoy the benefits of a smart home in a rental setting while helping managers run their communities more efficiently.

About Wasatch Venture Holdings

Wasatch Venture Holdings invests in promising companies that provide technology solutions and services to the commercial real estate industry. Wasatch Venture Holdings has had great success with multifamily-specific technology investments in particular, funding several companies in the compliance, lead management software, property management software and smart technology space. Collectively, Wasatch-backed companies have grown to service more than 4M multifamily units nationwide. Wasatch Venture Holdings’ sector focus gives its portfolio companies a competitive edge with the insight they can provide from over a decade of funding multifamily-focused technology businesses.

Renter Migration Patterns Show Tech Workers See Portland As Affordable Alternative

By The Editors

June 12, 2019

Renter Migration Patterns Show Portland As Affordable Alternative to San Francisco, Seattle

A new report on renter migration patterns shows Portland is seen as an affordable alternative to San Francisco and Seattle according to the report from Apartment List.

The study looked at which parts of the country are retaining their renter populations and which parts renters are fleeing, as well as which metros are doing the best and worst jobs of attracting renters from other parts of the country, according to Chris Salviati, housing economist at Apartment List.

“In some cases, the patterns we observe in this data are intuitive, while in others we unearth surprising insights,” Salviati writes in the report. A new interactive mapping tool from Apartment List uses unique, proprietary data from our user searches to examine where people are looking to make their next home. This data sheds valuable new light on migration patterns that will reshape cities around the country.

West Coast tech workers look to Portland as a more affordable alternative to San Francisco and Seattle

Portland is the most popular out-of-state destination for those looking to leave the San Francisco metro.

Among all renters looking to move to Portland from elsewhere, 9.0 percent are currently living in San Francisco, making it the most popular inbound search location for Portland.

Seattle is the 2nd most common source of inbound searches to Portland, followed by Los Angeles, San Jose, and New York.

33% of Portland renters are looking to move elsewhere

According to the new report published by Apartment List, 42.5% of those looking for a place to live in Portland are searching from outside the metro. Renters looking to move to the Portland metro from elsewhere are most likely to be searching from San Francisco, CA (9.0%), Seattle, WA (8.9%), or Los Angeles, CA (4.8%) – areas that boast some of the nation’s fastest growing tech hubs. The City of Roses has a robust tech scene and growing population, as workers in San Francisco and Seattle are constantly seeking out more affordable housing.

In fact, Portland is the most popular out-of-state destination for those looking to leave the San Francisco metro. Among all renters looking to move to Portland from elsewhere, 9% are currently living in San Francisco. West Coast tech workers find Portland to be a more affordable alternative to other neighboring metropolitan areas.

Additionally, Portland is the most popular destination for Seattle renters looking to move elsewhere, with 7.9% of outbound searches being dedicated to it. Some of those looking to move to Portland may be prepared to work remotely for their current employers, as the city has the nation’s fourth-largest share of remote employees.

On the other hand, 32.9% of Portland renters looking to move elsewhere, with some of the most popular destinations being Seattle, WA (24.4%), Eugene, OR (5.1%), or Phoenix, AZ (4.9%).

Renter migration from San Francisco, but not from the Bay Area

San Francisco has the third highest share of users looking to move outside the metro.

At first this may appear to confirm a popular narrative that San Francisco is losing residents to more affordable emerging tech hubs such Denver and Austin, however, a closer look at the data contradicts this interpretation.

As New Yorkers move in, Denver residents turn to more affordable Colorado metros

While the flow of renters from San Francisco to Denver may have been lower than we expected, the tech boom in Denver is definitely a real phenomenon.

“We see the Denver metro attracting renters from other major metro areas with highly educated workforces. The New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C. metros are the first, second, and fourth most common locations for inbound searches to Denver, respectively making up 4.7 percent, 4.6 percent, and 3.0 percent of inbound searches coming from outside the metro,” Salviati writes.

Inbound searches to Phoenix dominated by Los Angeles

Phoenix is another example of a rapidly growing metro that has thus far retained its affordability, making it an attractive destination for those looking to leave more expensive areas on the West Coast.

But while Portland is attracting renters from throughout the West Coast and beyond, inbound searches to Phoenix are dominated by one metro: Los Angeles.

Users currently living in the L.A. metro comprise 18.9 percent of inbound searches coming to Phoenix from outside the metro.

Phoenix is the most popular outbound search location for those looking to leave the L.A. metro, ranking even higher than the Riverside metro which borders L.A. In contrast to the Bay Area residents who are moving further and further from the core metro and enduring increased commute times, it seems that L.A. residents feeling the price crunch would rather relocate to Phoenix than super-commute from Riverside.

Renter migration summary

“Knowing where Americans are moving to and from is key to understanding the evolution of our nation’s cities. Publicly available migration data from Census tracks these trends, but that data source captures moves that have already occurred and is released with a fairly lengthy time lag,” Salviati writes.

“Search data from platforms such as Apartment List can help supplement our understanding of migration patterns by serving as a leading indicator that shows where renters are looking to move before those moves have actually occurred.

“It is important to note that Apartment List users are not fully representative of the American population as a whole, and that rental listing searches do not always result in completed moves. That said, the trends we observe are nonetheless informative, and we hope that this data tool will serve as a valuable resource for those looking to understand the mobility patterns of America’s renters,” Salviati writes in the report.

Methodology:

Results are based on searches of Apartment List users occurring between January 1, 2018 and May 1, 2019. The company includes data from both registered and unregistered users. While registered users are uniquely identified, unregistered users who perform multiple searches may be counted multiple times. For users who search in multiple locations, the company considers the initial search location to be the primary one. Each user’s current place of residence is defined by the IP address from which the user is searching. All results are aggregated at the metro level, using Census definitions of metropolitan statistical areas.

6 Sink and Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips for Your Rentals

By The Editors

June 11, 2019

The maintenance checkup this week involves 6 sink and garbage disposal maintenance tips for your rentals- and your tenants – from Keepe because recently has been getting many repair jobs concerning sink and bathroom repairs.

In California, a job order came in about the main faucet in a kitchen sink that had been leaking. Additionally, the built-in sprayer had been pulled out to clean the sink and wouldn’t retract, so the faucet and sprayer had been deconstructed for cleaning.

In the end, our maintenance person was able to fully replace the faucet and supply line, stopping the leak. Notice the before-and-after pictures below.

6 sink and garbage disposal maintenance tips

Don’t pour grease down the drain; it will often solidify and clog the sink.
Make sure not to leave food scraps in the sink. Clean it regularly so that it doesn’t accumulate waste or start to smell.
Use lemons and limes in your garbage disposal. They are a great way to naturally clean it and leave it smelling fresh.
Using hot water can go a long way to unclog and clean sink drains.
When running the garbage disposal, use cold water to help break up the food particles instead of letting them coat the drain.
Try to limit the amount of food you put down the garbage disposal to keep it as clean as possible

Odd Job of The Week

This week, Keepe got a job request in the greater Seattle area for a garbage disposal that “seemed to have a loose gear that was causing it to make crunching/screeching sounds.”

The tenants had already tried to reach in to see if something was stuck in the disposal, but hadn’t been able to find anything rattling around in it. The maintenance person was able to find the source of the noise… a loose penny!

The penny had somehow managed to get stuck inside the garbage disposal. Once removed, the was as good as new.

Pet Owners Check Pets on Camera More Often Than Friends and Relatives

By The Editors

June 11, 2019

Pet Owners Check Pets on Camera More Often Than Friends and Relatives

Pet owners like to check on their pets on camera when they are away from home, and 73 percent check their pet cameras while on vacation, according to new research.

The survey, commissioned by Comcast and conducted by Wakefield Research, also found:

Pet owners love furry distractions. Nearly 3 in 4 (73%) pet owners who check their pets on camera do so while on vacation to sneak a peek at their pet(s) whenever possible. Nearly 3 in 5 (59%) have checked while at a party or social event; more than 2 in 5 (44%) have checked during a workout; during a meeting (38%); while talking on the phone (38%); and while out on a date (32%).
Pet(s) are more entertaining than family and friends. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents reported checking in on their pet(s) more often than on social media to see what their family and friends are up to. More than 4 in 5 surveyed (84%) also reported they have shared video clips of their pet(s) on social media platforms.
Pet(s) lives are not so secret. Eighty-eight percent of respondents have checked in on their pets and caught them doing something naughty, such as sitting in a forbidden place (39%); making excessive noise (36%); eating human food that has been left out (33%); damaging furniture or accessories (30%); hiding or moving objects around the home (30%); relieving him/herself on the floor or on the furniture (26%); or getting stuck somewhere (17%).
Pet owners want ways to find videos of their pet(s) quickly. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said that because their cameras only have live feed, it is a bigger hassle to search hours of video of their pet(s) with no way to filter them, than it is to not have any clips of pets at all. They would like a filter feature to help them find clips faster.

Pets on camera give a sense of comfort and relief

Jill Rappaport, award-winning animal advocate, network journalist, best-selling author, and proud parent to six rescues (four of which are seniors), said, “My camera gives me a great sense of comfort and relief in knowing my fur angels are safe at all times. I feel the extra eye on them can be a lifesaver and it gives me needed insurance when I can check in on them from anywhere, at any time. Camera technology has really evolved and is an amazing way for pet owners to check in, especially for people with puppies who need constant monitoring or senior pets that often have health issues.” Click here for more pet care tips from Jill Rappaport.

To make it easier for Xfinity customers to keep tabs on their pets, Comcast has launched a new ‘”pet filter”’ feature on its Xfinity Camera. The filter uses artificial intelligence to quickly sort through hours of footage to identify just those with pets in them (out of the more than 100 motion-triggered video clips a typical camera can generate each day). Click here for more information on Comcast’s AI technology.

“We developed this feature to help our customers quickly filter motion-triggered events by people, vehicles, or pets because we wanted to bring them the video clips that matter most even faster,” said Dennis Mathew, Vice President and General Manager of Comcast’s Xfinity Home. “It’s an intelligent home-security solution that enables our customers to easily check in on their loved ones from anywhere, anytime.”

About the Survey

The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 U.S. adults, ages 18+, who are cat and/or dog owners who use a camera to monitor their pets. It took place between April 24^th and May 7^th 2019, using an email invitation and an online survey.

Apartment Elevator Maintenance Checklist

By The Editors

June 10, 2019

The apartment elevator maintenance checklist is this week’s maintenance tip from Keepe.

Elevators can be a complicated species of equipment, and signs of damage might be difficult to find, so here is a checklist to use.

Regular inspections are an important component of a safe, reliable elevator operation. This apartment elevator maintenance checklist includes the most important items to consider when inspecting elevators.

Inside of the Car:

Ensure the doors can open and close without any issues or obstructions
Also, look for signs of damage on the ceiling, handrails and walls
Inspect any lighting issues, including in the control panel and position-indicator lights, and replace any burned-out lights
Make sure that the door moves smoothly and does not slam or bounce
Examine the elevator going up and down and check leveling accuracy and speed so you can determine if adjustments are needed
Confirm that the emergency stop button is functioning correctly
Confirm that the emergency phone connects quickly to 911 or the fire department

Outside of the Car:

Replace any lights that have burned out
Inspect the door panels and clearances for any obstruction
Test the smoke detector and fire alarm system

Machine Room:

Make sure the room does not contain any material unrelated to the elevator
Check components for leaks, unusual vibration or wear
Inspect electrical components for overheating or failure
Check oil levels and ensure all systems are properly lubricated
Examine electrical wiring for signs of fraying or defects
Make sure there is adequate headroom for technicians
Remove anything that interferes with or obstructs access to the equipment

Top of the Car:

Ensure that the emergency exit hatch is easily accessible
Test the brakes and inspect them to ensure they are in good condition
Check cables for signs of wear or damage
Look for signs of rodents or vandalism
Clean any debris from the top of the car
Inspect any visible components such as guide rails and leveling devices

Ongoing maintenance is crucial to keep your elevator running safely and smoothly. Also, as you can see, there is a lot to check on during an apartment maintenance maintenance maintenance appointment.

So as a property manager, use this guide to stay on top of major signs of damage that may arise in your property.

Apartment Elevator Maintenance Checklist — Remember to check outside the elevator car to be sure lighting is adequate and safe.

Portland Multifamily Rent Growth Cools

By The Editors

June 7, 2019

Portland multifamily rent growth has cooled due to more than 5,000 units coming online in 2018 with rents increasing only 1.9% year-over-year through February, below the 3.6% national average, according to the spring report from Yardi Matrix.

However, the outlook is good.

“Backed by solid job growth and in-migration boosted by a healthy quality of living, Portland’s multifamily market continues to be strong,” the report says.

“Oregon has attracted national attention due to its enaction of statewide rent-control limits,” the report says. “The law limits rent increases to 7% plus inflation and capital expenses and applies to properties older than 15 years. Although the immediate impact might be slight, the concern is that it will lead to tighter limits down the road,” the report says.

Portland multifamily rent growth to rise 1.9 percent in 2019

Economic growth is healthy.

“The metro added 27,500 positions in 2018, a 2.4% year-over-year employment growth rate. The construction boom taking place in the metro is supported by the office sector, which has more than 2.4 million square feet of space under construction,” the Yardi Matrix report says.

“With more than 9,320 units underway and some 6,900 units expected to be delivered this year, there are major concerns about oversupply, but a strong occupancy rate is indicating that there is a rapid absorption of new deliveries and demand for housing outpaces supply. The high occupancy rate and steady rent growth are drawing investors to the metro.

“With demand high, we expect rents to rise 1.9% in 2019,” the report says.

Portland multifamily rent trend

Rents in Portland have decelerated in recent months, according to the report, which shows:

Year-over-year, rents were up 1.9% through February, though down 70 basis points from December. February’s rent growth was 170 basis points below the national average, and Portland’s $1,382 average rent was below the $1,426 U.S. average. Occupancy for stabilized properties decreased by only 10 basis points year-over-year through January, indicating that demand continues to be strong in the face of an influx of new supply.
Affordability has been a major issue in Portland, and the working-class Renter-by-Necessity segment led rent gains. RBN properties increased rents by 2.5% year-over-year, to an average of $1,226. Lifestyle units rose 1.7%, to an average of $1,540. With the bulk of deliveries in the upscale segment, the need for RBN assets is likely to remain robust.
The Pearl District ($1,960) and Downtown Portland ($1,956) had the most expensive rents in the metro, while the Hazeldale (15.1%), Stafford (10.4%), Kelly Creek (7.3%) and Madison South (6.2%) submarkets saw the largest year-over-year increases. Oregon’s recently applied statewide rent-control limits, which allow a rent growth of 7% plus the rate of inflation (exempting properties less than 15 years old), may further limit rent increases. Yardi Matrix expects Portland rents to rise 1.9% in 2019.

Portland apartment supply

Portland’s multifamily pipeline has been robust in recent years, and that is expected to continue, the report says:

More than 9,000 units are under construction, with some 6,900 units likely to be delivered this year. Although construction is expected to decrease – new permits for multifamily development are hitting the cycle low after the inclusionary housing passed in 2017 – demand for housing remains robust, especially for affordable units.
Roughly 5,100 units were completed in 2018, a major increase from the 3,887 units delivered in 2017. Despite the large new supply, occupancy for stabilized properties increased by only 10 basis points compared to last year—95.3% as of January, indicating that demand remains strong, keeping up with the consistent incoming inventory.
Most projects are geared toward the northern area of Portland. The Kerns/Buckman and Piedmont submarkets are the busiest, with more than 2,500 units currently under construction. Killian Pacific’s Goat Blocks, a 347-unit community in the Kerns/Buckman submarket, was the largest project in the metro.

Portland Multifamily Rent Growth Cools — More than 9,000 units are under construction, with some 6,900 units likely to be delivered this year.

Yardi Matrix is a business development and asset management tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders, and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real estate. Yardi Matrix covers multifamily, industrial, office and self storage property types. Email [email protected], call 480-663-1149 or visit yardimatrix.com to learn more.

About Yardi

Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. Established in 1984, Yardi is based in Santa Barbara, Calif., and serves clients worldwide. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.

Growing Homes Together Resource Center Launches

By The Editors

June 7, 2019

Apartment Market Conditions Weaken Due to Continued COVID-19 Impact

The National Multifamily Housing Coalition (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) have launched a new website called Growing Homes Together (www.growinghomestogether.org) to provide an online resource for housing-affordability solutions at the state and local levels, according to a release.

“Families are struggling to afford housing costs and communities are looking for solutions to end the affordability crisis that do not involve outdated policy solutions or overregulation,” said Doug Bibby, NMHC President, in the release.

“Our goal with Growing Homes Together is to highlight the policy solutions that will make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, provide roadmaps to reducing barriers to address housing shortages, and demonstrate the progress that is possible when local, state and federal governments come together with advocates, residents and industry leaders in the interest of all American families.”

The housing coalition said a growing number of Americans – at all income levels – are struggling to find housing they can afford, creating a strain on those families.

Growing Homes Together online hub outlines three key steps to alleviate this burden:

Address the tremendous shortage of homes and remove barriers to adding more supply.
Develop and implement creative, public-private partnership opportunities to bring price points down and create more affordable housing.
Use targeted subsidies to help families that are in the most need right now.

The site includes state- and community-specific facts and data, historical perspectives on housing policy, details on legislation under consideration across the country, and resources for those who may want to get involved.

In addition, the site will feature critical background information about the housing crisis, the latest news and perspectives about housing affordability, and the facts and figures that policymakers, advocates, renters and developers need in order to develop and deliver meaningful solutions that provide relief for families struggling to afford their rent.

Growing Homes Together also provides context around failed or outdated laws. Specifically, the site highlights the harms associated with rent control, a form of government-enforced price control first enacted in the post-WWII economy to help returning soldiers. Rent-control policies no longer help lower-income populations, as they originally were intended to do. They actually exacerbate housing shortages, and disproportionally benefit higher-income households.

Growing Homes Together advocates for a wider range of housing options, giving Americans greater choice, and proactive policy solutions that do what they are intended to do: make housing more affordable.

Growing Homes Together launches with detailed information about how rent control affects 14 states across the country, including the housing solutions under consideration in those states. The initial states profiled on the site include: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin, with more states coming soon.

The site also features ways for concerned citizens to get involved by joining an email list and following Growing Homes Together on Twitter and Facebook.

To learn more, please visit growinghomestogether.org.

About the NMHC

Based in Washington, D.C., the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) is the leadership of the trillion-dollar apartment industry. The council brings together prominent apartment owners, managers and developers, who help create thriving communities by providing apartment homes for 39 million Americans. NMHC provides a forum for insight, advocacy and action that enables both members and the communities they help build to succeed. For more information, contact NMHC at 202/974-2300, e-mail the Council at [email protected], or visit NMHC’s web site at www.nmhc.org

Multifamily Rents Grow More Slowly as 2019 Shapes Up to Be a Weak Year

By The Editors

June 6, 2019

How the Pandemic Will Affect the Future of Apartments And What People Rent

The average U.S. multifamily rent has risen $14 over the last three months, “which is a decent performance but far short of the levels of recent years,” according to the May report from Yardi Matrix.

“Year-to-date through May, rents were up 1.2%—again, good but not up to the recent past. In fact, over the last six years, only in 2017 (1.7%) did rent growth fail to reach 2.0% year-to-date through May,” the report says.

Multifamily rents grow slowly

U.S. multifamily rents increased by $5 in May to $1,442. Because rents increased less than they did in the same month in 2018, year-over-year growth fell 50 basis points from April to 2.5%.
Although rent gains are in line with the long-term average, 2019 is shaping up to be weaker than the last few, much more robust, years. Year-over-year rent growth has dropped 80 basis points over two months and 110 basis points over three months.
After sharing the spotlight with Las Vegas last month as the top metros, Phoenix pulled ahead in May atop our list of major metros with a 6.8% growth rate. Las Vegas is second at 6.6%, followed by Sacramento (4.1%) and Atlanta (3.9%).

Multifamily Rents Grow More Slowly as 2019 Shapes Up to Be a Weak Year except in Phoenix — Phoenix apartment complex where Yardi Matrix says “Phoenix pulled ahead in May atop our list of major metros with a 6.8% growth rate.”

2019 could be shaping up to be a weak year for multifamily rents

“This is notable because the bulk of rent growth tends to occur in the first half of the year. If the past is any guide, 2019 would be hard-pressed to continue the bullish outcomes of the last six years if things don’t improve quickly,” the report says.

Year-over-year rent growth tops in Phoenix and Las Vegas

Demand in the desert continues to show up in the year-over-year numbers, according to the report.

Rents increased 2.5% year-over-year in May, down 50 basis points from April and 80 basis points from March. The year-to-date increase of 1.2% is the slowest rate of growth since 2011.
The Renter by Necessity category (3.0%) continues to grow at a faster rate than the Lifestyle category (1.7%). Only eight metros top the 2.5% overall national average in Lifestyle rents, but 22 metros top 2.5% growth in RBN rents.
Phoenix (6.8%) overtook Las Vegas (6.6%) in May to lead the rankings. The metros are No. 1 and No. 2 in both Lifestyle and RBN rent growth, and both have increased occupancy rates of stabilized properties by 20 basis points over the past year (Las Vegas to 95.0% and Phoenix to 95.5%) despite adding a significant amount of new supply. Meanwhile, Houston (0.4%) and Seattle (0.8%) have the weakest growth.

Multifamily Rents Grow More Slowly as 2019 Shapes Up to Be a Weak Year — Phoenix apartment complex where Yardi Matrix says “Phoenix (6.8%) overtook Las Vegas (6.6%) in May to lead the rankings.”

“The National Association of Business Economists released a survey that found a growing number of prognosticators increasing the odds that a recession will start in 2020,” the report says.

“Even though a recession in the near term remains a minority opinion, however, the downside risks are growing. The biggest reason cited is trade uncertainty, with 88% of economists surveyed downgrading growth forecasts because of President Trump’s policies on trade, which include tariffs on imports from China and Mexico. The other top reasons cited for the weaker growth outlook are stock market volatility and slowing global growth,” Yardi Matrix says in the report.

April report: Multifamily Rent Growth Remains Consistent

The LGBT Community, Sex Discrimination And Fair Housing

By The Editors

June 4, 2019

Discrimination based on nonconformity with gender stereotypes is covered by the Fair Housing Act, so this week the Grace Hill training tip takes a look at the LGBT community and Fair Housing.

By Ellen Clark

In recent years, the LGBT community has earned additional rights under the law in many different contexts.

From same-sex marriage recognition to restroom access corresponding to a person’s gender identity, the law is constantly evolving.

The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) does not specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.

However, discrimination against a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender person may be covered by the FHA if it is based on nonconformity with gender stereotypes.

The LGBT community and the Fair Housing Act example

- If a housing provider refuses to rent to an LGBT person because she believes the person acts in a manner that does not conform to her notion of how a person of a particular sex should act, the person may pursue the matter under the Fair Housing Act as discrimination based on sex.

- If a property manager refuses to rent to a prospective resident who is transgender because of the prospective resident’s non-conformity with gender stereotypes, this could be discrimination on the basis of sex under the FHA.

Despite the relative lack of protection under the FHA, both the judicial system and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have in recent years expanded anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community.

The law is clearly trending towards recognizing sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under fair housing laws. In fact, it is already the law in many states and localities.

Every interaction with residents and prospective residents is an opportunity to comply with fair housing laws

Remember, every interaction you have with prospective and current residents is an opportunity to comply with fair housing laws and prevent discriminatory housing practices.

By treating everyone fairly, equally, and consistently, you help reduce the risk of violating fair housing laws and create a welcoming atmosphere and sense of community for your customers.

And, fair housing laws protect people from discrimination throughout all stages of your interactions, not just after they become residents of your community. From the first contact, whether by phone call, email, text, or in-person, you are responsible for complying with fair housing laws and treating all people in a non-discriminatory manner.

Even if LGBT persons are not technically considered a protected class under the laws applicable to the area your company or property is located in, there are valid reasons for maintaining a company policy prohibiting LGBT discrimination, and for ensuring employees understand that all people must be treated in a non-discriminatory manner.

Read Ellen’s blog here.

Resources:

Recent Grace Hill training tips you may have missed:

What Do You Do When Assistance Animals Break The Rules?

7 Ways To Stay Out Of Trouble When Checking Criminal History

5 Ways To Protect Applicants, Residents And Employees From Sexual Harassment

About the author:

Ellen Clark is the Director of Assessment at Grace Hill. Her work has spanned the entire learner lifecycle, from elementary school through professional education. She spent over 10 years working with K12 Inc.’s network of online charter schools – measuring learning, developing learning improvement plans using evidence-based strategies, and conducting learning studies. Later, at Kaplan Inc., she worked in the vocational education and job training divisions, improving online, blended and face-to-face training programs, and working directly with business leadership and trainers to improve learner outcomes and job performance. Ellen lives and works in Maryland, where she was born and raised.

About Grace Hill

For nearly two decades, Grace Hill has been developing best-in-class online training courseware and administration solely for the Property Management Industry, designed to help people, teams and companies improve performance and reduce risk.

6 Ways To Bug-Proof Your Rental Property

By The Editors

June 4, 2019

How To Deal With The Most Common Pests In Rental Housing

Here are 6 ways to bug-proof your rental property and keep your tenants happy which is this week’s maintenance tip from Keepe.

Bugs are always an unwanted guest for your tenants and can create unsanitary living conditions.

Because there are so many different types of bugs, bug proofing your rental property can sometimes feel like a losing battle.

Here are 6 ways to bug-proof your rental property and hopefully these simple two-cost steps will help.

1. Seal doors

Examine the around your doors. It’s common to find small cracks large enough for bugs to get in. To keep insects from crawling underneath the door, you can install a steel or aluminum threshold under the door. For even better protection, combine the threshold with a nylon door sweep.

The sweep helps cover the gap between the threshold and the door bottom for even better protection against bugs.

2. Add screens

Especially during summer days, many tenants like to rely on natural ventilation from windows. Unfortunately, this is also the worst time for mosquitos, fleas and other insects to come into your home.

By installing screens on all windows and doors, your tenants can keep the ventilation of fresh air while also protecting against pests.

6 Ways To Bug-Proof Your Rental Property — Screens are important to keep bugs out when tenants want fresh air.

3. Repair cracks

Because bugs are small, they are able to enter from cracks that may be nearly invisible to the rental property owner and tenants. Start by examining the exterior for any damaged, loose, missing, or rotting sections. You could be surprised by the number of openings you find.

To keep the bugs out of these cracks, use mortar or cement to patch foundations, replace damaged bricks and remove rotting wood. If there are any areas susceptible to termites, you may add cement backer board to reinforce the area and prevent termite damage. Caulk is also amazing at repairing small cracks around the exterior of your rental. Use caulk around window frames and roofs to really seal openings.

4. Store trash properly – get your tenants involved in this

As many know, bugs are attracted to trash and debris. Trash can be a gourmet meal to cockroaches and fruit flies. You need to be sure your tenants are involved in keeping the rental clean and being aware of how trash can attract bugs.

Ask your tenants to keep all food trash in the kitchen, instead of throughout the house. This will minimize the areas bugs will most likely go. Additionally, the trash should have a lid and be emptied once a day.

5. Dry up damp areas

Bugs don’t only seek food, like trash, but also water. There are many types of insects that prefer living in damp spaces. To prevent this, fix and replace any leaky faucets, drains or pipes. Inspect your air conditioner, washing machine and dryer to make sure they are all working properly.

You may also need to check the attic to make sure there are no leaks. If there are areas that feel damp, try using a dehumidifier.

6. Kill the bugs you see

Even if after bug-proofing your rental you may see bugs around so kill them immediately.

If your tenants have killed bugs, ask them to provide a photo of what they found so you can act. Of course there are many insect control products on the market, but to give yourself and your tenants peace of mind you may want to call an exterminator to take care of this problem. Your tenants will appreciate your concern and your action.

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Recent Grace Hill training tips you may have missed:

1. Seal doors

2. Add screens

3. Repair cracks

4. Store trash properly – get your tenants involved in this

5. Dry up damp areas

6. Kill the bugs you see

Other recent rental property maintenance Keepe posts you may have missed: