Leasing Assistant Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How can you become an apartment assistant manager/leasing agent? Most apartment complexes are looking for someone with previous experience...but how can you get previous experience with no experience?! I was wondering if there are types of college classes or trainings you could take to better your chances for these types of jobs. Any answers are appreciated, thanks!

Answer: Like, give the owner a little slap n tickle and you should have that job (or any job) in less than, three minutes? That's how I got my big break in the porn industry.

Question: Do you know how much a lease consultant, Assistant Property Manager and a Property Manager make in California? I am looking to get into this field, and Im wondering how much each position makes and approximately how long it takes to move up to those positions, in Northern Calfornia.

Answer: use yahoo hotjobs.com on there website and look into real estate>career tools>property manager>zip code and it will come up with a base salary http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/

Question: What kind of discounts on apartments do apartment leasing consultants usually get? I am thinking of becoming a leasing consultant for an apartment complex in my area. I used to be a property management assistant for an HOA, and I am wondering what kind of discount, if any, I would be receiving to live in one of the management company's complexes? Also, with my experience, would it be out of line to ask for a pay of $13-15 an hour in the DC area? If not, what kind of pay should I ask for? I was an assistant for about a year and have great references, including my old boss. Thanks for your help!

Answer: Rarely are apartment managers paid hourly. You'll receive a salary which will depend on the number of units that you are taking care of. And an apartment may or may not be part of the package. Not all apartment complex managers live on-site. If it is a very small unit ... under 10 ... your own reimbursement might be free rent. Utilities may not even be part of the package. Investors aren't fools. They aren't going to give anything away. You will work for every penny and at some really obnoxious hours too if you live on-site. Check local property management firms for their standard fees/cost. That should at least give you a place to start.

Question: I want to be an Apartment Leasing Consultant, but have no experience. Any temps agencies in CA? I need to have experience to apply and that's what I don't have. I have 3 years customer service, 2 years clerical, and general assistant experieince. Are there any temp agencies in Bay Area California that can train people, I'm in the East bay. Thanks.

Answer: Temp agencies hardly train people because I do have 6 months work experience and one agency keeps on giving me the same client as before when I found a position. I am getting frustrated that nobody is calling me. They only want experience ( a lot) before you can get a tons of assignment. I am still waiting for it myself and I did register for a whole lot and still no calls. I do call in my availability and still nothing. So, you can try OfficeTeam. You can send me and add me as a personal contact and I will you give you my contact person's name.

Question: What steps do I take to turn my home into an assistant living home for veterans ? This is something thats in my heart and I have a home that is suitable for our veterans to live in. It is a place where they will be very comfortable. At this time I have a renter that will not be renewing her lease. Her lease is up in seven months, this will give me time to get the things I need for our veterans. Always interested in doing my part. Beth

Answer: you should speak with someone with your local social service department about an assisted care home.Most are private pay and charge 2000-2500 per person and if they are private you don't have to be under the watchful eye of medicaid.

Question: Is an unsigned lease agreement valid? When I signed my apartment lease, the property manager was not on-site so the leasing assistant just had me sign the lease. I have a copy of the lease with just my signature.Is this agreement valid? If the manager signed the office copy of the lease but not mine is it valid? I need to get out of my lease and I don't know how to approach the situation. Should I take it to court and if so will I win? Or should I just take my unsigned lease to the property manager?

Answer: You have a signed lease. Reason is you the leaser have signed and agreed to that lease. If you need to get out of the lease there are two ways to do so. First is to ask if there is a buy out of the lease. Let them know that things have changed. If there is no reasonable way out. Then the second way would be to advertise the apartment for rent through CraigsList.com. The prospective tenant would need to pass the apartments credit checks and other credit source just like you had to do when you signed up. Best of luck

Question: What's the highest pay you've ever heard of for an assistant property manager? I make $9.50 an hour and feel totally underpaid. I'm an asst property mgr for a retirement home. I help run the office, lease up, and I also plan the events here.

Answer: its your life, you are in the drivers seat, demand what you want or walk

Question: How do you describe the company I work for in Spanish? The company I work for manages commercial property. We manage retail, industrial, and office space. The managers manage complex things like construction, litigation, and leasing. The property assistants oversee day to day operations, like janitorial work, routine repairs, and tenant complaints. I’m the receptionist, but I also help the property assistants.

Answer: Promotora y Desarrolladora Comercial

Question: If I signed a lease and they wrote the wrong rent amount can they make me sign a new lease or evict me? I went into the office to sign an lease and the lady who was not the property manager but her assistant, changed the rent amount due to me not having to pay a pet fee anymore. I initialed it and so did she, and then the assistant signed the lease and so did I. She called and wants me to go into the office to sign a NEW lease with a higher rent amount. What can they do if I DON't sign a new one?

Answer: I agree with Tom T. I'm a landlord AND an attorney, and while you may not legally be forced to sign a new lease, as your landlord I would explain to you that you knew very well that you had to pay an additional pet fee, and you acknowledge that you should be paying that higher amount but for my assistant's honest error. Therefore, what I'd probably end up doing is looking for every opportunity to be a stickler on the rules. If your cat/dog steps a paw out of line, if your party gets a bit too loud, etc. If you want to slide through the cracks on your rent because "technically" you don't have to pay more, I'd be looking for every "technicality" to show you the pendulum can swing both ways. It's just human nature. It's just like an employer - while there are certainly things they can't legally fire you for, if an employer wants to get rid of you, they can usually find a legal way of doing it. The bottom line is, you're not setting a very good precedent for a positive, constructive relationship with your landlord if you know you should be paying more but you're taking advantage of an honest error. The mature, honest thing to do would be to sign the modified lease. I'd let them know, however, that legally you don't have to, but you're trying to "do the right thing." As a landlord, I'd then feel like I really needed to cut you some slack when other stuff happened (like your rent is a day or two late). ***************** You have not retained my services as an attorney, and I am not representing you in any manner. Nothing I have written is to be construed as legal advice. If you have questions about your legal issues, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an attorney who is admitted to practice in the state where you reside.

Question: What is your understanding of this lease agreement? This is the lease agreement. It is my understanding it is month by month, but the office assistant states it is a six month lease. Who is right? "Terms of Agreement" The initial term of this lease shall begin on 2-21-07 and end on 3-21-07. After the initial term ends, this agreement will continue for successive terms of one month each, subject to the same Terms and Conditions of the Agreement, unless either party provides the other party with a written notice of termination at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the month. Such notice of termination shall be effective on the last day of the month." I think I'm right. Just don't want anymore credit issues. TIA

Answer: This lease went month to month on 3/21/07 and it is clearly written here. Whoever is telling you it is a 6 month lease is dead wrong. It does say you must provide written notice 30 days prior to the end of the month. So if you give notice today or tomorrow (May 30 or 31) you can legally leave the last day of June. Chances are these f-ers are going to try to keep your security deposit, so be aware of that. Those can be hard to get back, especially if you're landlord is a jerk (and apparently yours is). But according to what you posted above, you are legally able to leave with 30 days written notice. I would send this written notice registered mail with a return receipt required, and keep a copy of the letter and the return receipt for your records.

Question: I work in a office and not making much, How would I ask my manager for a raise? I'am a leasing agent, but do my managers work and do the assistant work, in top of that Iam the one that opens the office in the morning and do the coffee,make sure everything is clean and get the bathroom tissues if there is none, so in top of that I do a little of HOUSE KEEPING to. I need some suggestions. I've been working for the company for over 3 years.

Answer: #1 do not tell them how you do all their work. Come out with a positive attitude about the working environment; let them know that you feel that your due a raise in pay. Keep everything positive, point out the good things that you do. Ask them if there is some reason that they can see that you should not be entitled to a wage adjustment. Do not bombard the manager first thing in the morning either, ask for a time to sit down and discuss something with him/her. Do not think that making coffee and putting tissues in should get you a raise either, that just makes you a nice person!

Question: Should I argue on the late fee for my lease? I moved in the current aparment last month with a month-to-month lease. At the beginning, they charged me August rent. The rent due date is the 1st of each month. Haven't been renting for a while, I just assumed that they would send a bill and totally forgot it. Yesterday (9/6) I got a call from my apartment office, saying I was late on the rent and I had to pay the rent plus late fee (~$40). The grace period is till the 5th of each month and after that I had to pay by money order. I know it is my fault to be late (normally apartments don't send bill, right?), but felt it is so phishing for them to notice me right after the grace period. The call was from the assistant that I signed my lease with. She was firm on my paying all this. Should I complain to the manager about this before paying this?

Answer: Unfortunately, no. That is standard practice. They aren't phishing you out on the "6th" as you say. They actually have lists of the leasee's and they are marked off as they pay their rent. By the 6th, they need payment and know who hasn't paid by then. Your "grace" period is your time to remember that you haven't paid, it's not their responsibility to tell you, you haven't paid until you have gone over that time, just like a credit card company. It's all about "being an adult" as my parents tell me.... Sorry you had to do that, and I know it sucks, I'm a renter too. Just suck it up and post a reminder on your calendar to try and remind you to pay rent on the 1st (that's what I do! I'm entirely forgetful!!). Good luck!

Question: How can I land this job? I have applied for a job transfer within my company to move from PA to KY. I am extremely interested in this position and am willing to work my hardest to achieve it. I am currently a Lease Accountant - really an assistant - and the position I applied for was a Leasing Manager. I know I am extremely qualified for the position and am completely deserving, but other people within that KY office have also applied for the job and they are not looking like bad applicants even though I am more educated and more aware of the leasing position. These other associates do have one up on me because they have worked within the KY office and have operations awareness, but I still feel I am the one for the job. I want to be confident with my interview today at 3pm, but I am not sure what I can do to prepare for this interview to ensure I have this confidence in the interview. Help!!! Thank you.

Answer: address and pre empt any hesitations on you. if you feel that the local knowledge will flip you over address that and reassure them you can do it. i was once in such a position that i knew i could easily be scrapped by competition so i made sure i came to my interview prepared. when they asked me what value I could bring to their company I made sure to enumerate and highlight my best points and address the weakness as they perceived of me. you could do this by saying: I know that I am not alone when I expressed interest in this position, I acknowledge that you have a lot of great choices as most of the applicants have already been working in there for so many years, and you cannot discount the power of local knowledge. I in my own right believe that I am of equal competencies as those people in there. But what I bring is freshness, I bring them good challenge. Knowing I am new there I will try my very hard to prove myself and continiously prove to you and the management that I am worth all the chances you give me. and with that I see a good challenge in those people to also do their best and committ their all. Being new there I am a very good source of new ideas, of innovativeness that has never been thought about because they stand too close, being new there, I will learn the system and perhaps find a way to better it. My moving in a new place if ever never appeared to me as a disadvantage or a weakness, I am very adoptable and very open to challenges I face everyday. I don't view it as moving out of PA or moving in KY, I view it as me moving forward. GL hope this helps.

Question: Can i get out of a rental lease for buying a home? rented from landlord a year. Beginning of August we warned her we were looking for a home and would move if we found one. Agreed to resign a lease for six months as we were probably going to find a home. Well, we did. Close date is October 25. the landlord wont even help in trying to find a new tenant but her assistant has actively helped us and shown the apartment. we have deposit plus pet deposit riding on this place and when it comes down to it we will pay our mortgage before we pay the rotten landlord. You wouldnt believe that this could even be a dispute if you knew how much real estate the money hungry lawyer owns. bad ethics here? How? We told her when we started looking. I bought a house. How am I unethical for that? ha ha, I have some good stories too, like about the gas leak last february... Thanks so far to who replied. I think some details need added. We originally asked for a month-to-month but the landlord said no and offered the six month. So, we were looking at houses and it was time to sign the lease again. A few weeks after that and here we are buying a house. The landlord is uncooperative about seeking out a new tenant to help us out. We have been advertising on our own and her assistant has been helping too; telling people he knows. I thought there was some 30 or 60 day notice thing. Anyways, we are well aware that we signed a legally binding contract and yes we read our lease. Also, what a shame that people are responding to me as if I am unethical for wanting to break a lease to buy a house. Sometimes timing just isn't the best, you know? I am sure you all understand. Sued for using the words rotten and money hungry to describe the landlord? Surely you know the difference between a little ventilation vs. slanderous speech. Thanks so far to who replied. I think some details need added. We originally asked for a month-to-month but the landlord said no and offered the six month. So, looked at houses and it was time to sign the lease again. In a few weeks we are buying a house. The landlord is uncooperative about seeking out a new tenant to help us out. We have been advertising on our own and her assistant has been helping too; telling people he knows. I thought there was some 30/60 day notice thing. Anyways, we are well aware that we signed a legally binding contract and yes we read our lease. Also, what a shame that people are responding to me as if I am unethical for wanting to break a lease to buy a house. Sometimes timing just isn't the best, you know? Sued for using the words rotten and money hungry to describe the landlord? Surely you know this isn't slanderous speech. But yes we have been very nice. The landlord doesnt speak to her tenants, she dictates through her assistant.

Answer: Unfortunately, your story is not unusual. You committed to a lease and it is up to the landlord if they refund your deposits. They are not obligated to. You did the right thing by saying you were house hunting, but will your landlord do the right thing and refund your money? Doesn't sound like it.

Question: What make a resident happy and how to keep them? I am about to start a new job as a property assistant manager in Seattle. I want to go in my frist week and lease a shit load of units. What good advertising method should I use to get more people to come in and lease up units? I also want to know what make a happy resident? What would you suggest on ways to keep your residents happy ?

Answer: NICE looking, good area, INEXPENSIVE, GOOD manegment, and security, UPDATED, and large spaces! Animals are a def. plus!

Question: Im resigning my rental agreement for another year, the monthly rate changed after I signed the lease, is it ok I live in Arizona, and I asked before I resigned the lease how much my rent was going to be, and I was told $565. After I signed my lease, the assistant manager called me and told me that she figured out the monthly rent wrong, and it's going to change to $615. Is that okay for them to do? I have the rental agreement with $565 with my signature. No, the contract only has my signature, and not theirs!

Answer: The lease is a contract, and thus can not be changed by one party without the consent of the other. I don't see how they can succeed with an eviction where they have nothing to show that you owe $615. In eviction court the looser has to pay the winner's attorney fee. Good luck !