Being an apartment manager can be a really great job. You never know who you’re going to meet or what will come up. It keeps you guessing and is anything but mundane. Recently this was explained to me by an apartment manager who experienced a day that she will never forget, she calls it Naked Friday.
It was a day like any other Friday at the complex, they had showings scheduled and units to inspect. Policy at this complex is to inform tenants 24 hours in advance if they will be entering the unit and what for, a showing, an inspections, etc. So they prepared their Friday by making phone calls on Thursday and letting everyone know when they would be coming around. But phone calls don’t mean much when people ignore them.
The first unit they entered was a showing for a single mom and her 10 year old son. They knocked and announced themselves in case someone was home and then took the pair into the unit. They pointed out the features and the space and were walking into the second bedroom to find the walls fully covered with posters of naked women. The ten year old son was ready to move that day… Mom was not impressed. They left the unit the leasing agents apologizing and trying to focus on the other features that stayed with the unit.
The next showing was for a young woman moving into her own place. Again they knocked. This time a man answered the door. In and of itself not a problem, however this man had clearly just gotten out of the shower and did not have any towels large enough for his size. He answered the door politely invited them in and excused himself to get dressed treating everyone to a full pale white moon. The young woman took it in good humor but again the leasing agents were embarrassed.
Finally, they had another showing. A young couple looking for a two bedroom unit. They knocked and announced, and as they entered a young man streaked across the living room to the bedroom leaving a young woman on the couch coved by a blanket. They had quite obviously interrupted something. They backed out of the door found another unit to show the couple again apologizing for the situation.
Back in the office they re-scheduled all the other appointments figuring it was not worth anymore naked events. But it goes to show that you can never be fully prepared for the things that happen as an apartment manager/leasing agent. Even with full warning including exact times these tenants were caught unaware and in sensitive situations. Just another day in the life of the apartment staff. Another reason to love your job!
Tell us your showing stories, what sorts of things have you run into that were unexpected, embarassing or just fun?
Also see our other Tips for Managers for more information about the industry!
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