Things you hear in Student Housing Property offices
you don’t usually hear or experience in conventional or senior housing
community offices:
“You mean I pay the utilities? You guys don’t do
that?”
“I’m here to check in.” – Oh, you mean move in? We
educate them that this is independent living, not dorm life, and there is no RA
to hold their hands for them 24/7.
“Hey, yeah, you emailed me about my rent. Can you
just call my mom about that?” Hummm, this one does not have a Guarantor.
After reporting wet carpet, the Leasing Specialist
asks how long it has been wet. “I guess about 2 or 3 weeks. I just wear my
shoes so my feet don’t get wet.”
About two weeks prior to the big move in rush,
deliveries start arriving. Many consist of futons, bed frames, mattresses, Flat
Screen TVs, couches, dining sets … which all fit nicely in the 5x5 Package
Room.
Large boxes of Solo cups are shipped to the
students.
You mean you guys don’t put hammers and screwdrivers
in the apartments? How am I supposed to put together my bookcases? (We do have
these to lend out, but it is funny they expect it to be supplied in the units.)
Students will traipse across the grounds in PJs on
Saturday afternoons to collect packages … barefoot. In the snow.
It is not uncommon for someone to come in and say
the “maid” hasn’t been to their apartment yet (after a couple of months) and
their parents are arriving in a couple of hours. Yikes. Maid Service, we always
ask? Do you think this is a hotel we want to say, but don’t.
Hey, yeah, I just got back in town and I’m locked
out. At 4 in the morning.
Hey, can you let the delivery guy in so the food is
there when I get out of class?
The Leasing Specialist is calling about an important
matter (usually because all emails have been ignored.) The Resident answers and
says, “Oh, hey. Can you call back later; I’m in class.”
Someone calls in and reports vomit in the common
hallway of his building. “What happened?” I think there was a party there last
night in my apartment. But man, can you clean that up before my girlfriend
comes over tonight?
Doing inspections reveal a fist sized hole in the
wall of the entry. “That?” Shrugs shoulders. “Yeah, some guy was showing off
and did that.” You inform them there will be a repair charge. “What?????? No
way! I’m not paying for that.” That’s okay – your security deposit will.
If there wasn’t humor in the day, we would all be
cranky!
