March General Membership Meeting Recap

AAOC members were treated to a “bonus” general membership meeting last month, as ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and the slow rollout of vaccinations forced postponement of the annual trade show until later in the year. The bonus meeting in March – usually a “dark” month – was an opportunity for AAOC to offer its members something to fill the void. It also provided an opportunity for AAOC to recognize its members who are celebrating their 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th and 50th membership anniversaries in 2021.

Members enthusiastically seized the opportunity to attend the online meeting and “Ask the Experts” their legal, maintenance, and property management questions. The expert panel, comprised of Stephen Duringer (Duringer Law Group, PLC), Frank Alvarez (Buffalo Maintenance) and James Wohrman (FDC Management), imparted valuable information, tips, and sage guidance on a wide range of topics, with an obvious focus on COVID-19-related situations and scenarios.

Stephen Duringer kicked off the program with a general legal update and then discussed the different rental assistance programs that are presently available (including the cities of Anaheim, Irvine and Santa Ana) and that the state’s rent relief program would be rolling out March 15. He indicated that there is $2.6 billion in rent relief funding available, which would provide 80 percent of a residents’ rent arrears to their landlord during the covered time period, if the landlord agrees to forgive the remaining 20 percent. There is also an option by which tenants can receive 25 percent of the rent they owe between April 1, 2020 to June 2021, to pay their landlord and be able to maintain possession of their unit when the eviction moratorium ends on June 30, 2021. Duringer indicated that landlords can apply for multiple programs, and will be screened accordingly, to avoid double dipping. He also pointed out that about 94 percent of landlords are receiving rent payments.

James Wohrman followed Duringer and discussed property management issues and the experiences his company, FDC Management, encountered during the early days of the pandemic. He equated it to a “bad body blow.” When the pandemic hit, FDC Management immediately gave a temporary pay raise to employees, as well as a five percent discount for three months to residents. Wohrman indicated that 98 percent of residents have been “stand-up” about paying throughout the pandemic.

Meeting Recap — continued on page 30

Daniel & Marilyn Breig have been satisfied AAOC members for 40 years. They have always run their credit reports through AAOC and used AAOC’s operational and legal forms. They also look forward to attending the trade show every year and believe Apartment News magazine is a “great product.” Michael & Pamela Mundy are 30-year members who have “grown up” with AAOC and appreciate how the association helps keep them legal and out of trouble. They know they can call AAOC with their questions and be given good advice and guidance.

Wohrman stressed the need for continued “human interaction” despite the pandemic, and how FDC’s leasing offices remained open but with boundaries established to ensure appropriately safe distancing. Units continued to be shown in person, but in a contactless manner, and FDC maintained close ties with its team members via lively video chats. Wohrman also indicated the importance of utilizing a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) to help with overall costs.

Finally, Frank Alvarez talked about the maintenance and repair work that his company has done during the past year. He indicated that service requests have increased 80 percent during the pandemic, with plumbing, electrical and appliances being the top three areas. There was initial tenant reluctance about service staff entering their units to do the repair work, but in time that tenants felt more comfortable with the precautionary safety and sanitary measures being taken by Buffalo Maintenance. Alvarez pointed out that material costs are escalating, including plywood which typically costs $38 but has risen to $72, due to earlier southern California fires and trade issues with Canada. He talked at length about SB 721, the legislation that was signed into law in 2018 and requires an inspection of decks balconies, and other elevated wood structures in apartment buildings, by January 1, 2025. He warned that while this date may down the road a bit, it takes time to get an inspection, and urged members to complete this sooner than later. AAOC wishes to thank its PSC members who sponsored this “bonus” General Membership Meeting — Kay Properties and Investments, LLC, and FPK Security. Your support of the association and its members, as well as this meeting is greatly appreciated.

Mark your calendars for the next AAOC General Membership Meeting, being held online on Tuesday, April 20th at 7 p.m. The topic of the meeting will be “Technology in the Multifamily Space” with a focus on online marketing, cloud-based security monitoring, and smart apartment technology.

Stephen C. Duringer (Duringer Law Group, PLC) provides a legal update and shares information about the different COVID-19 rental relief programs. Erin Haselton is a 10-year member who has found great value in her ability to call AAOC and not only have her questions answered but feel confident that she and her family are being kept safe and out of court. Catherine Youngerman (Bowman Real Estate), a 20-year member, is a big fan of AAOC’s operational and legal forms. While she has access to other forms, she has always found AAOC’s forms to be more relevant than what is available elsewhere, and she appreciates that.

Frank Alvarez (Buffalo Maintenance, Inc.) discusses maintenance and repair challenges that his company has encountered during the pandemic.

James Wohrman (FDC Management) discusses property management issues that his company has addressed during the COVID-19 pandemic.