Rental Review

RENTAL EVIEW

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA MULTI-HOUSING ASSOCIATION

As fall approaches, we will soon see the trees start to turn color, temps start to drop, and days start to shorten. This also means we are getting closer and closer to an event we plan for all year. Our State Convention! This year it will be October 18 th and 19 th and the theme is Building Connections. We hope you can attend and find new ways to build connections in your community. See pages 18 and 19 for more details.

If you need education credits but can’t wait until our State Convention, visit our website! We have both Required and Elective classes that you can take to receive whatever credits you need. You can find our Online Education under the Event button on our website.

Finally, as you may have recently seen, we have a call for Nominations out for new board members. We love having new faces and ideas on our board and if you think you would be a good fit let us know! There is an application you can find on our website or contact myself or Denise and we can help you. If you want to help but don’t want to commit to a term on the board reach out to any board member and we would be happy to find something that works for you. We always have spots on our committees or need volunteers at events.

Thank you all for a great year so far and I look forward to what’s ahead!

Jody Bjornebo

Chair, South Dakota Multi Housing Association

LIVABLE SMART TIP

As temperatures begin to dip, think about easy ways you can cut back on the heating bills in your properties. Caulk gaps around windows to reduce drafts. Put programmable thermostats in the common area so you can account for temperature fluctuations and daytime hours when tenants are typically away from the property. Clean HVAC filters every few months, so the system doesn’t have to work as hard to be effective. If your property has a basement or attic, make sure they are insulated. For a bigger investment, consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane. Up to a quarter of a property’s heat loss can be attributed to windows. Looking for more ways to save? Come save with Livable - learn how we can increase your profit margins today at www.livable.com

Smart Doorbells – Worth the Risk?

Smart doorbells are becoming ubiquitous throughout society, including in multifamily housing communities. Residents and property owners alike are now using smart and internet-connected doorbells to enhance security, increase visibility and add a layer of technology and flexibility to the living experience. But are these technologies worth the risk?

Smart and internet-connected devices often collect more information than users understand. These devices can also pick up activity from passersby and neighbors, and device companies often share information with law enforcement without prior notice. From claims of invasion of privacy to lax security controls to cooperation with law enforcement, smart doorbells can therefore sometimes usher in controversy and potential legal risk.

The following are risks and actions associated with smart doorbells for owner-operators to consider when determining whether to allow these devices at an apartment community.

The Minefield of Smart Doorbells

Smart doorbells can present a number of thorny legal issues to consider when thinking through whether to allow their use at an apartment community.

Privacy

Although there are no U.S. laws prohibiting the installation of smart doorbells in public places, there are existing laws throughout the country that generally prohibit recording activity (both visual and audio) in a space where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. In the context of smart doorbells, this may become an acute issue as it relates to neighbors and the behavior of those outside of the direct view of the camera. Although a smart doorbell may be recording video of persons who arrive on a doorstep, they could also inadvertently record activity happening in the apartment across the hallway or record the movements of individuals in the hallway. This type of recording becomes a particular issue if they are used in a state that requires consent before the recording of an area where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Security

Researchers for years have warned against the security risks associated with internet-connected devices, such as smart doorbells. In short, if the device is connected to the internet, it can be compromised. The Federal Trade Commission, for example, recently announced a penalty against a well-known smart camera company for violations of privacy and security as it relates to their smart cameras. How much is being stored by the company? What are they doing with the data? Is there a risk of security? These are all questions property owners and residents should be asking before using a smart doorbell.

Law Enforcement

Smart doorbell companies may, from time to time, provide data to law enforcement and sometimes without consumer notice. The smart doorbell providers may, for example, give recorded video to law enforcement through court-issued warrants or subpoenas without notice being provided to the owner of the camera or

A variety of risks to consider and actions to take for property owners and managers to mull when deciding whether to allow smart doorbells at their properties.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

NAA is meeting with Treasury to discuss unintended consequences of grantees’ efforts to recoup ERAP funds that were distributed in error. We continue to maintain that housing providers should not be penalized for funds they received in good faith. We also plan to share the unintended consequences on renter s who must be held responsible for outstanding debt that they thought was repaid during the pandemic.

If YOU have experienced challenges with ERAP claw backs, would you email your experience to nupano@naahq.org. Any insights into your on the ground experience or reco mmendations that we can relay to the Treasury would be greatly appreciated.

Full Day Event: September 21, 2023 –Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Brandon S D

Evening Workshop & Social : September 20, 2023 - Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Brandon SD

Details & Register: https://www.siouxmetro.com/about-smga/growth-summit/

On behalf of the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and our supporters, we a re excited to announce a new and exciting take on the "Grow Smarter Conference". Now branded "Growth Summit" we've restructured the multiday format to one full day packed with specific and actionable content in one specific pillar of economic development. 2023's theme "Filling the Housing Gap" will dig deep into the underlying causes of our regional housing needs, explore practical solutions and spark action steps regardless of what stage in readiness or size of the community. Regional and local experts will share their insights and give you the groundwork to move the needle forward on filling the housing gap in the Sioux Metro.

We all know our region needs more housing. As our communities continue to develop, our populations increase, and our businesses grow, we need a place for our people to call home for all that growth to continue. The reality of this growth is that it comes at a cost. Planning, infrastructure, utilities, construction, the land itself, just to name a few; the list goes on.

SIOUX FALLS GOLF 2023

Ready for a breakthrough? This is the event.

Cultivate is a new, groundbreaking event bringing together VP- and seniorlevel leaders for high-level peer conversations, discovery and networking. This collaborative experience will change the way you lead yourself, your staff and your enterprise.

You’ll take away concrete, real-world solutions you can implement immediately. Take a look at the full schedule of sessions to see what you can expect at this transformative retreat experience.

Loews Ventana Canyon • Tucson

Empowering Independent Rental Owners in The Evolving Housing Landscape

Presented by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and Yardi Breeze, the highly anticipated IRO Summit is back for another year, offering independent rental owners (IROs) a unique educational opportunity. Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 21, and get ready to delve into a wealth of knowledge and industry insights at this virtual event.

The IRO Summit is designed to cater to the needs of independent rental owners, regardless of the size of their portfolio. It focuses on providing timely and valuable information and resources to those who hold an ownership interest and actively participate in property operations.

For IRO Summit 2023, participants can dive into a range of on-demand sessions presented by industry experts that tackle pressing issues and highlight emerging trends in the rental housing sector. From the transformative power of automation and centralization to fraud prevention, disaster planning, mental health, staff training and the always popular NAA legislative and legal update, the sessions will shed light on the evolving landscape and equip independent rental owners with the knowledge they need to thrive. These sessions will not only provide valuable insights but also offer practical strategies and solutions to address the challenges faced by independent rental owners in today's dynamic market.

Wondering if the IRO Summit is the right fit for you? It's important to note that being an independent rental owner is not determined by the size of your portfolio or the number of properties you manage. Rather, it involves having an ownership interest and actively participating in property operations. The NAA IRO program is dedicated to supporting all facets of multifamily and single-family housing management and fostering connections among individuals who share similar experiences and goals.

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect at IRO Summit 2023:

FREE Registration: An inclusive event open to all independent rental owners of any portfolio size seeking knowledge and growth. Register at: https://info.yardibreeze.com/irosummit/?utm_source=naa

Education: Immerse yourself in on-demand sessions that address the issues that keep YOU up at night. Gain valuable insights and explore practical strategies to enhance your operations. Plus, live chat with the presenters

Exclusive Updates: Stay ahead of the curve with the latest legislative information that directly impacts the rental housing industry. Get a comprehensive understanding of the changing landscape and make informed decisions to drive your business forward.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow independent rental owners and summit speakers through live chat sessions. From 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM EDT on September 21, engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences and build a network of support within the IRO community.

Giveaways: Earn chances to win prizes! The more you engage during the event, the better your odds are for taking home a digital door prize.

CHAPTER NEWS

ABERDEEN

Tuesday, November 7, we will be meeting at the K.O. Lee Public Library, 215 SE 4 th Ave in Aberdeen. We are working on the program. Check the SDMHA website events page for up-to-date information.

Meeting to begin at 11:30 am with lunch provided.

BLACK HILLS

Thursday September 14th at the Pizza Ranch, 405 E Stumer Rd in Rapid City. Rapid City Dispatch will be present, which includes Police, Fire, EMS, etc. Come early to eat or just come at 11:30 am for the meeting.

Thursday, November 9th. We are finalizing the details of this meeting. Look to the EVENTS page of our website for the latest.

BROOKNGS

Thursday, September 19th at the Public Library, 515 3rd St. We will be discussing your lease, is it sufficient as well as other forms. We are also working on collections information to present.

Meeting to begin at 11:30 am, lunch provided at 11 am.

SIOUX FALLS

Thursday, September 21st, Noon – 1 pm at the Pizza Ranch on 41st St. The Director of Equalization for Minnehaha County will be presenting on assessment values and taxes.

Thursday, November 16th, we are working on details for this meeting. Check the SDMHA website events page for up-to-date information.

STATE CONVENTION

OCTOBER 18 & 19

Best Western Ramkota in Sioux Falls

See page 19 for more details or go to https://www.sdmha.com/events/state-convention2023/register

SDMHA BUYERS GUIDE

SIOUX FALLS CHAPTER

SDMHA BUYERS GUIDE

RAPID CITY CHAPTER

RENTAL EVIEW