Adventures as a Manager

I should begin with a disclaimer...
I am pregnant
I have dealt with too many rude people today
I'm probably eating too many skittles while trying to console myself.

So this will hopefully be read by some of the people who live in the apartment complex and it is mostly directed at them.... here goes nothing.

Hi.
My name is Afton Taylor.
I'm a person.
I work a job.
My job happens to be the manager of an apartment complex.
My job includes replying to e-mails, sending out rent statements, applying cleaning charges for failed cleaning checks... mostly just making sure residents uphold their end of the contract.

Point of clarification: I DON'T MAKE THINGS UP!
If I charge you for something, there is a real reason, and IT IS IN THE CONTRACT!

I really do want the residents to succeed!
I want everyone to pass their cleaning check!
I want everyone to use utilities wisely so the bill is not outrageous! (p.s. utility charges affect me too!)
I want everyone to understand what the rules to living here are, because it makes my life and their lives easier!!

Did you know?
I don't make extra money off of residents.
I don't get bonuses for failing your cleaning checks.
I don't get a raise if I charge everyone with make believe charges... I would actually get fired!
I don't actually get paid a whole ton, and I don't live here for free either.

Fun Fact:
I'm having a baby! Pretty soon too!
I can't always think clearly, something to do with hormones, and I know it sounds like an excuse but ask any mother and they will know what I am talking about.

This whole being pregnant thing has affected my work. I will not lie.
Sometimes I have been very sick, I have had two run in's with the flu this past school year on top of morning sickness and I even caught pneumonia. This was really unfortunate because I wasn't able to be in the office as much as the residents may have needed me.
I sometimes have Dr's appointments, and sometimes just don't feel well.
I guess I'm not the best at growing a person, but at least I'm trying.

I try to help the residents as best as I can. I try to respond to e-mails, notes and voice mails as quickly as I can. I want them to obtain an understanding of why things are the way they are.
Sometimes I don't have all the answers.
I don't know why the contract sale fee is $40.
I just know it is in the contract.


I do know that the residents have the responsibility to read and understand the contract as much as I do.
I do know that residents should look at the space of their apartment before signing a contract based on price and being very sad that it's not what they had imagined.
I do know that I try to be a moral person. This means doing my job to my best ability, and I know that sometimes this may make other people unhappy.
I'm sorry I'm not willing to bend the rules for you, and sometimes I  am sorry you don't understand the rules.


A POINT I'D LIKE TO STRESS!!!
Please don't call me out over the internet, especially under a psuedo name!
What bogus is that? I can't help you overcome anything if I don't know who you are.

Remember it's not a good idea to tick off your manager. I may be a little more strict on your cleaning check, because you were more strict on me.


Question for yourself?
If my manager could write a review about me what would it say?
- consistently pays rent late, yes it is by the grace period, but this resident is always slacking.
- does not put in the appropriate time to clean. I would not recommend this person as a spouse because of their lack of cleanliness.
- Loves to complain, but does not like to actually work to fix a problem. I would say they are selfish and unable to be a responsible person.

Reviews on the flip side...
-Very punctual and dependable with rent.
-Kind to everyone they meet, I constantly hear them complimenting the other residents and see them going out of their way to help others feel important, including me.
-MARRY THIS PERSON!! They are very responsible, clean, hard working, and willing to go the extra mile to make things work. This is the person that will work through hardships with you. They are definitely a go getter!

This week is cleaning checks.
I do have words of wisdom.
Read the whole cleaning check packet. We give you all the information that is needed to pass cleaning checks. Most people who fail do so because they do not use the correct tools, or forget to do the whole job.
I really would like everyone to pass because it's less work for me, and I get to give you more of your security deposit back.

IN CONCLUSION...

I wish people were nicer. I wish people remembered I have feelings.
That is all.