Ways to get Smoking

7 Ways to Get Smoking Under Control in Non-Smoking Rentals

By Justin Becker Seek out partners who are working on related projects Landlords and building managers have to deal with several kinds of issues daily. Most of these are routine: a leaky faucet, a faulty smoke alarm, and so on. However, in view of the current pandemic, the issue of smoking (especially when you have a non-smoking building) is more serious than ever. within the housing community already. This way, you have trusted resources at your disposal. Some examples include asthma programs, health workers, etc. Above all, these meetings will allow you to give residents information about cessation resources. You’ll be acknowledging their concerns and addressing them in the best way possible. People living in your apartments for rent will probably Here’s what’s going on right now: A lot more people are at home every single day. The concept of remote working will become even more common in the future. Plus, people are have a more closely knit community as a result. There will be more related advantages when this occurs, including the smoke-free aspect. becoming more attuned to their health issues, especially when it comes to their respiratory system. Previously, it wasn’t exactly ethical when secondhand smoke from one tenant affected the apartment of their neighbors. Today, a landlord could get sued for the same. 5. SHARING STORIES Whether it’s at these meetings or just when seeing them in general, encourage your residents to share whatever stories they have about secondhand smoke. Their homes and everyday lives are being changed by the new policies. Not sure how to get that smoking issue under control? Here are a few ways to get you started. So, they deserve to be empowered and acknowledged. What’s more, getting to know everyone’s perspective will also gain more traction for fi nally adopting the new 1. CONDUCTING RESIDENT SURVEYS You can start off by conducting resident surveys about policies. This may result in more buy-in from the residents’ part as well. the issues of secondhand smoke and how to combat it. This way, you can learn what your residents think about the smoking policy as it stands now. You’ll also be able to receive feedback on any potential restrictions on smoking in the future. By collecting this information, it will be possible to learn about the concerns, potential points of confl ict, and questions that your residents might have. When you do start implementing the changes, it will be easier to enforce them when you keep all concerns in 6. HAVING APPROPRIATE OUTREACH All the community meetings, information, surveys, and signage you use needs to be sensitive and culturally appropriate. This means having the text printed in different languages. It also includes having bilingual and people of color invited to speak at the meetings. Neglecting this aspect of reaching out can alienate some residents and weaken the impact of your efforts. mind. 7. GETTING INTO COLLABORATIONS 2. EDUCATING THE RESIDENTS It’s also a good idea to educate the people who will be affected by the non-smoking policies. After all, having apartments for rent doesn’t mean that you just sit back and Think about how the existing programs can work with new efforts to go smokefree. It’s important to get in touch with community leaders and stakeholders who agree with your views on providing smoke-free housing. collect money. It also means that you have a responsibility to give people the information they need to work as a community. Start by releasing educational messages that will affect the residents’ way of thinking and also prepare them mentally for the changes. Include information on Having partnerships with such groups will also give you the benefit of their trust, goodwill, experience, and connections with both the residents as well as housing providers. how secondhand smoke affects the health of the whole family. Getting secondhand smoke under control might even help reduce asthma in children. Once you wake people up to their basic right to a clean, healthy, and safe living environment, it will signal a lot of ease for future rules. When you sit down with such groups, address the areas where you have common concerns and how all parties can collaborate to achieve their goals. At this point, it’s also essential to discuss how the parties can share their recourse, including time and expertise. 3. CLEARING UP CONFUSION When you tell a smoker that they can’t enjoy their pipe or cigarette, it often triggers some feelings of rebellion. Make sure that the smoking residents in your apartment buildings don’t feel like they’re being controlled or that the new policies are extreme. Instead, clarify how smokers It’s also best to include all your staff in this kind of planning. Give them the training they need to properly implement, enforce, and uphold the new policies. Staff members should be aware of what the new smoke-free rules entail, when they start, and how they can help residents with their issues and queries. don’t have to give up that habit right away, nor do they have to find a new place to live. All the new policies mean is that they won’t be able to smoke in certain areas for the good of the community. The policy should also be worded in such a way that the smoke is held up as the culprit, not the smokers. THE TAKEAWAY Secondhand smoke is harmful to both kids and adults. In condominiums and apartment buildings, this concern is even more pressing due to the pandemic. Ventilation systems, wall cracks, and even plumbing could take the smoke from one place to another. 4. HOLDING MEETINGS It’s helpful if you host community meetings to give out the information we’ve mentioned above. This will also provide a platform where concerned residents can ask questions, discuss answers, and generally reach a mutual agreement about making the air cleaner. Hold these The only solution here is to make the housing system smoke-free. You’ll be safe on the legal front, along with a reduction in fire risk and turnover costs. It’s a win-win all around. So, consider following these steps today. You’ll feel the difference soon. meetings when you’re considering a certain policy or when the new policy is being implemented. Justin Becker is a property owner in the state of Michigan and has a passion for managing communities. He owns apartment complexes and mobile home communities, and has been writing his own blogs for his properties for several years.

Portland Metro Challenges Cont.

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land-business-pivots-in-the-wake-of-covid-19/ •https://www.tigard-or.gov/business/spotlight.php

Taxes

The combined tax measures in 2019 and 2020 many effective in 2021 and 2022 significantly increase the cost of living and working in the Portland, Oregon metro, especially those individuals with a high net worth. in 2026, depending on the needs of the program, which the county expects to be serving 7,000 new students by that time.

•Measure 26-215 – the Portland Schools Bond passed – This bond measure provides $1.2 billion in funding for facilities and educational investments. The measure is not expected to increase tax rates above previous targets, because debt service is scheduled to decline.

Where does this leave Portland and Multnomah County? As we reported in the December Quick Facts edition, 2021 Portland Tax Changes, local and state tax increases of over 40% over three years are making high net worth individuals very nervous. We have been told that as soon as their leases expire, businesses are moving out of Multnomah County to seek financial relief in other states and counties. This will significantly impact the money available to fund the aftermath of the pandemic. 2021 will be a benchmark year as immunizations take hold and the potential for economic recovery takes root. We recommend reading this article for more information on the impact of tax increases on businesses. Local political leaders need to take a careful look at how they handle all of the above-outlined issues. There are no easy answers to the challenges caused by homelessness, riots, coronavirus response, and the current tax policies. The challenges are significant, the decisions difficult, the risk is high. Only time will tell if the correct decisions will be made.

Oregon

•Corporate Activity Tax Modified Receipts: The CAT is applied to taxable Oregon commercial activity in excess of $1 million (Gross receipts – some subtraction for Cost of Goods sold). The tax is computed as $250 plus 0.57 percent of taxable Oregon commercial activity of more than $1 million. Only taxpayers with more than $1 million of taxable Oregon commercial activity will have a payment obligation.57%. If you collect or make over $1,000,000 in annual rent expect to have to pay some of this tax.

•Metro: In May 2020 voters in greater Portland approved a measure to raise money for supportive housing services for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The program is funded by a 1% tax on taxable income of more than $125,000 for individuals and $200,000 for couples filing jointly, and a 1% tax on profits from businesses with gross receipts of more than $5 million. They expect to generate $250 Million a year in revenue.

Portland

•City of Portland rental tax–$60/Unit, which is similar to a tax charged by Gresham to inspect units for habitability.

•Measure 26-211 City of Portland – Library Bond. The passage will increase library space by 50% through the expansion of seven library branches and the development of a new East County flagship library in Gresham. The bond measure will cost $387 million and cost property owners an average of $0.61 per $1,000 in assessed property value for eight years. For a property that is valued at $2,000,000, they will pay an additional $1,220 on their property taxes in 2021.

•Measure 26-213, the new Parks and Recreation Bond measure passed. The levy will prevent ongoing reductions to park services and recreation programs, preserve and restore park and natural area health, and center equity and affordable access for all. Levy is $0.80 per $1,000 assessed value. For a property that is valued at $2,000,000, they will pay an additional $1,600 on their property taxes in 2021.

•Multnomah County: Measure 26-214 Tuition-free preschool, (effective Jan 2021). – The “preschool for all” initiative will be funded by an income tax on higherincome earners: individuals with an income over $125,000 will be taxed at 1.5%, and another 1.5% on county residents who earn more than $250,000 for a total of 3%. That rate could rise another 0.8% to 2.3% in each category,