The job of a landlord and property manager is to keep units occupied with good paying tenants. Part of this job is to show apartments to potential tenants. If you are in the property business, you know that people during the best of times do not like people in there space. In most jurisdictions the local tenancy laws and guidelines allow for landlords to show their apartments to potential tenants as soon as the current tenant has provided notice.
The Corona Virus is the first world pandemic in modern times, so the modern rules and regulations around viewings during a pandemic have not been written. Lets face it, as we live through this, the COVID-19 landscape and government direction seem to change daily. The issues around the ability for tenants to pay rent, and options from landlords to defer rent have been the center of attention.
What if you have a tenant that has given notice, and they have a compromised immune system, or are just concerned about having strangers in there house? What if you have a solid potential tenant that demands an in person viewing before they sign a lease?
Should you allow any in person showings? Should you produce a video? Should you use technology such as FaceTime, or WhatApp? If you do an in person showing, how should you prepare, what PPE (personal protective equipment) should you and your potential tenant wear? What are the larger property companies doing in your area? Are there any government guidelines in your area that dictate how or when you can show apartments?
Here are my thoughts (with the disclaimer of do your own research, check with local authorities, and handle each situation on a case by case basis).
I would suggest you limit or simply do not do any in person viewings. I would make it a hard no, if your current tenant / other occupants have a compromised immune system. What is interesting is that over the past number of years we have increased our use of video (See How to make a YouTube video) and technology like FaceTime to show apartments. People of all ages seem to be getting more and more comfortable with this technology. To sum it up: Write a descriptive rental ad with lots of pictures, make a video (Kijiji will let you place one in your ad), when you make a your video start out at the street, so you can show the neighbourhood, have additional pictures ready to send your potential tenant. Let people know in your ad that you are available to FaceTime. Everyone knows or should know that life is a bit different right now.
If you do decide to do in person showings, make it a last piece of the puzzle before a lease signing. You will need to disinfect all touch points before and after the showing (such as door knobs, fridge handles, etc.) You and your potential tenant need to wear gloves, also a mask would be a good idea. Make sure to keep a close eye on whatever you or your potential tenant touch, so that you can disinfect after the showing. Make sure to follow social distancing guidelines throughout the showing. Do not have them fill out an application on site, email them one.
Check out what the larger companies are doing in your area. If the majority of landlords in your area are doing the same thing, it makes it easier dealing with potential tenants. Also if a tenant refuses to comply with social distancing, wearing gloves etc., you likely will not want them as a tenant. In our area CBC has reported (see article of reference from April 14, 2020) two of the major landlords Southwest properties, and Killam properties have either suspended or limited all in-person showings. You can also be assured that the larger companies are looking at risk and liability in regards to how staff interact with tenants, and what would happen if an entire building became infected. I am not suggesting the way they handle it is the best way (because I do not think anyone really knows), but it could be a good guide.
In our area the government does not currently have any specific guidelines for showing apartments during the COVID-19 state of emergency. That being said their are two clear messages – Stay at home, and keep your distance. When it comes to showing apartments both of these two rules become difficult or impossible to follow (so I will leave it at that).
In your particular area, make sure to check with your local government to find out about possible restrictions. As the pandemic evolves the rules change.
Until next time,
Design your landlord experience,
Michael P Currie
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