As we enter a ‘new normal’, our ways of working must adapt to social distancing norms, and a desire of limited person to person contact has arisen across all housing industries. However, this needs to be balanced with staying effective and efficient to ensure tenants are not left in the lurch.

The demand for affordable housing is already outstripping the supply and is only going to become more apparent in the weeks and months to come. Here are a few ways to ensure efficient property management no matter where you find yourself working.

• Maintain Discipline and Minimize Distractions

  • Maintain a strict schedule, start working at the same time every day and end when you normally would

  • Avoid multitasking and doing chores and house projects when you’re trying to finish work projects

• Keep your work routine as normal as possible

  • Keeping your routine helps minimize your stress, keeps your body and mind moving in the same direction, and helps provide a stopping point from work to non-work time.

  • Wake up at the same time, get ready for the day, have breakfast and coffee as you normally would, and sit down and intentionally start working

  • Avoid reading your email right when you wake up - wait until you’re ready to start your day

Beyond self-discipline and maintaining a routine, there are a vast number of modern tools and software that can help keep property managers effective and efficient.  Something to keep in mind is not only do property managers need to be able to work from anywhere, but also accept communications from applicants that can’t be in person at the office themselves.

Here are a few tools to help with efficient property management:

• Haven Connect

  • Allows for online applications to be accepted for affordable housing properties

  • Automates communications with applicants

  • Manages waitlist and prospective tenants in a single online portal

• Web Conferencing and Communication

  • Uberconference

    • A free option for call and conferences

  • Google Voice/Hangouts

    • Free options for making direct calls to applicants from your computer (voicemail and text available too)

• Dropbox Sign

  • Accept time-stamped electronic documents and signatures

  • HUD and many cities and states are easing the requirement for physical/wet signatures on documents

    • More resources here: FHA FAQs (Page 15)

Stable housing is an essential part of life and a necessity for families and communities.  We here at Haven Connect understand that the work for property managers and owners never ends - no matter how hard or trying events might be.  Staying diligent, being flexible, and using all of the tools at your disposal is the best way to weather an economic downturn, pandemic, or any other situation.

The whole team here at Haven Connect is behind you, and eager to help you in helping your tenants.