Risqué subjects were the focus of a recent apartment chat on Twitter led by apartment marketing experts Lisa Trosien (@LisaTrosien) and Mike Whaling (@30Lines). A transcript follows.
lisatrosien: Okay ready for Q1? How do you tell a resident about their intrusive “Mary Jane” smell?
artchickhb: @LisaTrosien - Oh you mean that “herbal smell” that we’ve gotten complaints about? I’m sure it’s just incense...
DavidKotowski: Q1: How do I tell them? Or how should you tell them? I usually just tell them straight out, but that doesn’t work for everyone.
Becky_Ellipse: @30lines You might ask for their help in determining where the smell is coming from...gives a hint that you are onto them.
marketing_mommy: @Becky_Ellipse I like that approach, keeps them from getting defensive right away.
ProprtySolution: Maybe don’t approach them but have the local police do it. That way they can’t necessarily connect it to you.
lisatrosien: Has anyone ever called the police about a pot smell? Not me. Meth lab, yes. Pot smell, no.
SamGainous: I dealt with this as a resident and the police were really no help. It took my property manager getting involved.
artchickhb: @LisaTrosien I called for a meth lab once, but usually with pot, we would just subtly tell them, “Yo dude, we smell u.”
ellipsejhurley: You can always send a blanket email to your residents discussing what is and is not acceptable per their lease.
eddibuck: I would only get the police involved if I wanted the resident to move.
lisatrosien: Here it comes. How do you address, “Loud Sex?”
artchickhb: @LisaTrosien embarrassing story. I didn’t know how to address this one when I first started, so I called and asked them if they had gotten a dog because their neighbors were complaining about “thudding” and “yelping” at night.
DavidKotowski: Q2: I used the same “straight out” approach as weed and it doesn’t work for loud sex. Actually, it got a very bad reaction.
rentmonitor: Q2: Could be handled like loud music or tv.
SamGainous: Again, I believe in being kind and straight forward. A kind phone call or pull them in the office when they pay their rent.
DavidKotowski: Q2: It’s easier when they don’t know how loud/disturbing it’s actually being. When they know they are more defiant.
DavidKotowski: Q2: Most residents seem to tolerate loud sex noises, though. I’ve only had to address it a few times. Once was a direct complaint.
lisatrosien: I always was very straightforward.
artchickhb: @LisaTrosien what about a preemptive strike? In spring, when windows are open more often, send a kind reminder of noise pollution.
DavidKotowski: I once had a resident threaten to sue because it was his right to have “relations” with whomever & however he wanted.
marketing_mommy: I say handle like a standard noise complaint – but being very specific about the dates/times it’s happening will help.
30lines: @lisatrosien Can you give an example of how you handled it in a straightforward way? What would you say?
lisatrosien: @30lines “We’ve had some comments about you and some of your visitors at late hours. Not partying, but some romantic sounds.”
lisatrosien: @30Lines Then I just said, “Can you keep it down a little bit?” And then we’d usually have a discussion on how lucky they were, etc.
artchickhb: Question: Does your company have a policy about WHO gets to handle these tough situations? Or is it whoever answers the phone?
lisatrosien: @artchickhb As the manager, I always handled those issues. That’s why you make the “big bucks.” Haha.
Becky_Ellipse: Usually the manager. :(
RT @artchickhb: Question: Does your company have a policy about WHO gets to handle these tough situations?
Apartment Chat (#AptChat) takes place on Twitter every Friday at 4 p.m. ET. It is an open forum to discuss the apartment industry, and anyone is welcome to join the conversation.