How to Train as an Apartment Manager

When you are training to become an apartment manager make sure you learn from as many sources as possible.

Apartment managers are usually hired by property owners to oversee the day-to-day operations of a commercial or residential property. There are a number of duties to perform including inspecting the property for maintenance and repair needs; collecting rent payments; enforcing rent and lease agreement terms and conditions and showing prospective tenants the property. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a property manager can be hired right out of college. There are a number of ways to train as an apartment manager. To be effective you must know and understand the entire job duties required.

Instructions

1. Train under an experienced apartment manager. When you start your employment as an apartment manager you will be able to train with an experienced apartment manager. This type of training is on-the-job-training. Find out what a typical day is like. Ask questions about all of the job duties and responsibilities that are required for the position. When responsibilities and duties are explained make sure you take notes. Ask the apartment manager if you can actually perform some of the duties as a way of gaining experience. When you actually perform certain functions you will become more comfortable and experienced. Perform the actual duties as often as possible.

2. Speak with leasing agents. Shadow a leasing agent for several days. Apartment managers will be required to work closely with leasing agents. Sitting with a leasing agent helps provides an understanding their job duties and requirements. An apartment manager will have to supervise leasing agents; therefore they must know what is expected of them. They will often perform some of the same job duties as a leasing agent, which includes taking and processing credit applications, doing background checks, checking credit reports, showing apartments to tenants, and filling out leasing contracts.

3. Talk with the customer service representatives. Speak with a customer service representative and find out what type of calls they take. This provides a great deal of insight into the job. An apartment manager will be called upon to resolve problems for tenants. It helps to understand the type of problems tenants face. Find out what are some of the more commonly reported problems. Make a note of how service or repair orders are handled from beginning to end.

4. Shadow the maintenance crew. Follow the maintenance crew for a week or two. It is crucial to gain an understanding of what the maintenance crew does day in and day out. An apartment manager will be required to facilitate and manage the activities of the maintenance crew. Observe the crew when they are in the process of fixing, repairing and cleaning an empty apartment to be leased.

Tips & Warnings

• Apartment managers need to know about eviction procedures. Try to handle the first eviction that needs processing.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
• Apartment Search: Apartment Manager Can Mean a Lot of Things