Showing Units During the Coronavirus

By Victoria Robertson on July 1, 2020

Apartment living can be great, but in the age of a new pandemic and a world in turmoil and complete disarray, the normal goings-on at apartment complexes are very different than we’re used to.

For this reason, people tend to be more cautious about living in a building with many others, and rightfully so. In addition, showing apartment units during the Coronavirus is a brand new minefield that we have to navigate together.

With that being said, here are six tips to help get you started in remaining safe when showing units during the Coronavirus.

Photo Via Pixabay

1. Regulate Masks in Buildings

One step that many apartment complexes throughout the country are implementing is to regulate the use of masks in your buildings. This means that any residents outside their unit would need to wear a mask.

The main reason for this is that the hallways in apartment buildings tend to be narrow, and this helps to reduce any spread of germs from residents to one another. Additionally, if all individuals touring the facilities wear masks, you give off an air of safety that will impress potential residents.

2. Have Everything Wiped Down

Increasing the frequency of your cleaning schedule in common areas in all of your buildings is a great first step. This is not only impressive to potential residents when viewing the complex, but it also increases the safety of your current residents.

That being said, this typically comes at a cost, as you must bring in a cleaning crew (in most cases) more often, which can become pricey. Still, the pros far outweigh the cons, especially if you’re bringing new individuals in frequently for tours, as that can significantly increase the germ spread within your own building. So when in doubt, make sure everything is clean!

3. Stick to a Schedule When Possible

Many buildings have also increased the frequency with which their common areas in the buildings are wiped down. You should consider doing the same. That being said, if your resources are limited in this regard, you can also ensure that you’re showing units during that allotted time.

Scheduling your tours for specific times during the week ensures your cleaning crew has enough time (and isn’t overworking) to clean the apartments you’re showing to eliminate all possible germs within those units. Better clean than sorry!

4. Discuss Safety Precautions

Residents are more concerned than ever with the safety of the unit they are looking to rent. While this typically includes items like fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, it’s now also inclusive of Coronavirus measures that you have put in place within the building.

Basically, residents are going to ask, so you should have an answer ready to go. For some buildings, this means mandating masks, increased cleanings and the closure of all common areas. Some buildings opt instead to open common areas but limit the number of occupants and mandate masks in those areas as well.

Whatever the regulations, ensure you are dictating that to new residents, as these are facts that they will want to be aware of.

5. Social Distance Rules Apply

Social distancing has become a norm in today’s society, and your buildings should be no different. When showing a house, it’s easy to begin with a handshake and remain close to the individual when showing.

Now, these typical tactics don’t work nearly as well. Instead, you should be enforcing social distance rules, even when showing units. This means that you should be as close to six feet away as possible, and be wearing a mask when showing units.

6. No Physical Contact

In addition to the social distancing rules, you should also ensure there is no physical contact between you and potential residents. While the common thing to do is a handshake upon meeting an individual, as well as one as they are leaving, this is no longer socially acceptable, at least for now.

Be sure to social distance and certainly feel free to discuss the changes you’ve made to the typical showings so as not to come across as rude throughout the tour. Still, students have become accustomed to the changing times, and such rules will be expected by most, if not all.

The Coronavirus pandemic has turned life upside down for many of us. Still, life must go on, and many individuals out there are seeking appropriate housing for the coming year, whether that be on or off-campus.

Just because students are returning and the need for an apartment is rising is not to say that students aren’t paying attention to health and safety regulations, but are rather more in tune with them than ever.

For this reason, when it comes to showing units during the Coronavirus, the above six tips are a great starting point.

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