Like Yardi, you are closely monitoring COVID-19 recommendations from national and international organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. You are taking measures to protect your employees and assist your clients during these difficult times. To support your efforts, Yardi has curated and created a library of digital resources to help you practice business continuity, safety and productivity during this period of disruption. Online Training Courses Our near-term reality embraces remote work, social distancing and the need to constantly adapt to change. Though daily office operations have altered, less face-to-face interaction does not mean that staff education and onboarding must come to a halt. Yardi is offering free online training courses for clients that promote productivity, efficiency and security. These courses empower Yardi clients to optimize usage of Yardi software so that you can provide essential services to your residents, tenants, and investors. Free Webinars You can also take advantage of free webinars that explore Yardi solutions that facilitate social distancing while managing properties and other assets. Topics include but are not limited to: How COVID-19 Changes Affordability Compliance Staying connected with residents via RENTCafé Facilitating social distancing while managing vendor relations Automating payments and tenant communications using CommercialCafe Leveraging RENTCafé Senior Living and EHR tools Recorded webinars are available to clients via Client Central. Yardi Matrix COVID-19 Updates Yardi Matrix also has two webinars set for this week that will focus on the impacts of COVID-19 on the U.S. real estate market. Join experts fully versed in the latest national data for a discussion of the economic and real estate impacts of COVID-19 on the multifamily and commercial industries. Sign up for the multifamily impact webinar. Sign up for the commercial impact...

As the novel coronavirus spreads, senior living providers are taking every precaution to keep their residents healthy and safe. That includes visitor restrictions and entrance screenings. While effective, these safeguards are also creating anxiety for residents and their loved ones, who now find it harder to see each other. What’s happening in the community? How do they keep in contact? During these uncertain times, communicating openly and regularly goes a long way towards reducing fear and building trust. Many senior living providers already have strong infection protocols in place for seasonal flus, so they know how to effectively minimize illness risk. The key is making everyone aware so that residents, families and staff can rest easier. So although the national guidance recommends social distancing, the need to stay connected is stronger than ever. To that end, we’re here to help our senior living clients ensure the wellbeing of their communities. Here are a few simple ways that you can use Yardi tools already available to you to empower communication and prevent business disruption: Overcommunicate on all channels RENTCafé Senior Living can help families stay connected. Residents and loved ones can opt in to receive SMS alerts from the community, and they can also send confidential messages and questions through the online portal to staff about their concerns. On the administrative side, RENTCafé Senior CRM allows you to send emails and track all correspondence from one place. Staff can also set announcements to display on the online portal right after someone signs in. These are simple, effective ways to share updates and useful links about the coronavirus situation. Access and upload health information Within the RENTCafé Senior Living online portal, family members can view the latest records about their residents, including vital signs, diagnoses and medication orders. This data is shared from Yardi EHR in real time, so as caregivers and nurses make their rounds, families can keep tabs on any health changes without having to make extra calls to the community. If a resident must visit a hospital for any reason, the family members can also upload test results and documentation to RENTCafé Senior Living. That way, care staff are kept in the loop so they know exactly how to help when the resident returns. Take routine interactions online Family members who would normally drop off a check in person when visiting should be encouraged to pay their bills online instead. They can see the current balance, view the statement history and schedule one-time or recurring payments (through ACH, credit cards or debit cards) within the RENTCafé Senior Living online portal. The same advice extends to asking maintenance for assistance. RENTCafé Senior Living allows residents and family members to submit requests online, and maintenance personnel will be able to see the tasks instantly on their smartphone. On that note, residents and their family members can also pay their bills and request maintenance on mobile devices through the RENTCafé Senior Living Resident app for Android and iOS. Ensure staff are prepared on every protocol Many providers have revisited their infection protocols ahead of a possible outbreak of COVID-19 in their communities, and it’s critical that all staff are aware of the right steps to take. Yardi eLearning can help your organization quickly distribute the latest training without the potential health risks of a large in-person meeting. The online platform offers live classroom sessions and webinars in addition to on-demand courses. You can quickly customize content around your protocols as well as guidance from the CDC, then track participation and follow up with knowledge checks to ensure that staff are prepared. Help potential residents tour virtually Move-ins over the next few months will likely slow, but they won’t stop entirely. The decision to join a senior living community is often preceded by a health change or care need, and these potential residents will still want to know what a community is...

Yardi is closely monitoring recommendations from national and international organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization and taking the following measures to protect and support its clients, employees and communities during the COVID-19 outbreak: Client Support Property managers’ obligations to tenants, residents, employees and communities continue even in this period of extreme disruption. The Yardi team is actively working on tools and training to help clients ensure business continuity, safety and productivity in this new near-term reality of far more remote work and social distancing. The company will offer free online training courses to help its clients continue to work as productively, efficiently and securely as possible. Yardi is following its own business continuity protocols to ensure uninterrupted client services and encourages clients to contact their client services representatives for help during this difficult time. Employee Support Most of the Yardi team has transitioned to a remote work environment. Healthcare and nursing resources are available to all employees, as are counseling and therapy resources. The company has heightened office hygiene and cleaning protocols for those who remain onsite to deliver essential services. In addition, Yardi postponed or canceled all near-term in-person events and ceased travel in favor of online alternatives. The spring Yardi Advanced Solutions Conference (YASC) has transitioned to a free online presentation for Yardi clients. Industry events that the company normally participates in have been postponed or canceled by their sponsoring organizations. Community Support In addition to the time, energy and financial support that Yardi traditionally donates to philanthropic organizations, we have committed $2 million to food banks and other nonprofits on the front lines of their communities’ fight against COVID-19. “Our team is navigating the COVID-19 crisis with the same philosophy that has guided us for more than three decades: take care of our clients, our employees and our communities. We are confident that all of us will unite to subdue COVID-19, and we’ll emerge from this challenge stronger than ever,” said Anant Yardi, the company’s president and founder. Read a letter from Mr. Yardi on our support resources page. ** Everyone should conduct their own planning based on their specific location and circumstances. While we are dedicated to providing general information to our clients, it is not intended to be healthcare or legal advice. Please consult appropriate government agencies and authorities, as well as healthcare and legal...

Social distancing is a necessary yet challenging directive for apartment communities. We must build a sense of community and safety if we want to earn resident satisfaction and loyalty. But social distancing practices don’t exactly conjure warm, fuzzy feelings. We’ve got seven tips for maintaining resident satisfaction and earning loyalty even when keeping your distance. Check on your seniors and vulnerable residents. Call vulnerable renters to make sure that they have the essentials. They will appreciate knowing that you have their wellbeing in mind, even if they’re already taken care of. If they are in need, consider either of the options below to help. Receive donations and stock up for those in need. In times of panic, many people naturally think of self-preservation. Acts of altruism shine brightest during these times! Place a large box outside of the office and invite residents to make food and toiletry donations for those within the community who need it most. Pre-package items can be easily wiped down before distribution. As a business, you may also have wholesale access to resources that are not available in stores. Consider stocking up on essential items for residents in need. It’s a small investment to make to earn resident gratitude, respect, and loyalty. Share community updates and best practices. Use your online resident portal to issue updates by your local health centers, especially any news or tips that are empowering and uplifting. Be sure to cite your sources and provide links when you can. This step encourages residents to get information from credible sources. Inform residents of your measures to sanitize the property. As your property takes additional measures to sanitize the site, inform your residents and prospects. They will appreciate that you are prioritizing their wellness and taking care of staff health. Host online gatherings. It’s important to support a sense of community even when you can’t congregate in groups. Shift community events to online platforms instead! Watch movies and TV shows together on viewing apps and online networks like Watch2gether. Attendees can make comments and share reactions just like in a live setting. Do your best to accommodate those with extenuating circumstances. Technology has enabled many people to work from home. There are some who cannot, particularly those in the service and hospitality sectors. They may not be able to work and may temporarily struggle with rent. Organize and communicate efforts to accommodate renters with extreme circumstances. Compassion during tough times will be remembered during lease renewals. Encourage online payments and online maintenance requests. This is a smooth way to discourage unnecessary visits to the office staff while highlighting conveniences that you’ve made available for residents. If leasing office or maintenance protocols have changed, clearly communicate those changes with renters. When you go above and beyond to support residents during challenging times, they will remember your efforts during lease renewal time. Watch this quick video to learn how the Excelsior Group uses technology to stay engaged with...

During chaotic times like the current COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to build and maintain trust with your residents through clear, proactive and consistent communication. Here are four tips to help you navigate resident communications during a global health crisis: Lead with empathy Write a message for humans, from humans. Remember, your units are your residents’ homes. Say, “Here’s what we’re doing to help keep people safe, and here’s what you can do protect your home and family.” Point them to resources in their neighborhood and reliable news sources. Are you changing policies or augmenting services during this time? Maybe you’re adding chat tools to limit personal interactions in the leasing offices. Or implementing curbside drop off for rent checks. Whatever it is, let them know that you’re taking action to adapt to the changing environment. Emphasize online services Remind renters of the online services you have to help limit unnecessary virus exposure. Plainly list all the ways they can pay rent or submit a maintenance request electronically. Add links where applicable. It might seem like overkill, but your long-term residents may not be aware of options that have been added since they moved in. Can they pay rent by text or using the RENTCafé Resident Services Alexa skill? Do you have a mobile app for residents that lets them communicate with your leasing or maintenance staff? Make sure they’re aware. Set expectations Let residents know how often you plan to be in touch with them. Are you going to check in once a week? Every 48 hours? When there are new updates from local or national health organizations? Be clear, so they know what to expect. Worried that you might be bothering them? Unless you’re emailing daily, don’t be. The 2020 NMHC/Kingsley Apartment Resident Preferences Report indicates that more than 80% of renters want to hear from their management company at least monthly in non-emergency situations. Get your message out A well-written message is only effective if people read it. Make sure you’re reaching the people you need to communicate with by distributing your message across multiple platforms. Send an email to your residents Post a message in your resident portal, if you have one Share an excerpt on your social channels that includes a link or phone number where they can get more information Build a custom webpage on your corporate or property website with information about how you’re making things safer for prospects, residents and your team Text updates to residents who have opted in to SMS communications Apply what you learn during this time We’re all going to learn some important lessons in the next few weeks as we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19. Make a note of the different situations your team has to react to as they come up — then use those notes to create a proactive crisis plan for the future. A solid crisis communication plan usually includes some combination of these things: Designated team members, usually from multiple teams Corporate response plan including sample statements for a variety of scenarios Dedicated customer service channels Social media response templates Multi-scenario escalation plan Post-event customer outreach and feedback collection If you want more guidance, Hubspot pulled together six crisis communication plan examples. Whether it’s another virus, a local weather disaster or something else, having a crisis communication plan in place never hurts. The worst-case scenario is also the best-case scenario: you just might not use it. Team Yardi is here for you. If you need help using our RENTCafé resident communication and service tools, or if you want to learn more about what’s available to you, please reach out to us at sales@yardi.com or (800)...

It seems no industry is immune from the impact of the COVID-19 virus, and that includes multifamily real estate. The global spread of the COVID-19 virus has brought a technical end to the 11-year bull market in equities, forced a European travel ban and sent Treasury rates to historic lows. According to the latest multifamily report from Yardi Matrix, the industry may feel the effects of COVID-19 as it spreads across the nation, although the rental housing industry remains well capitalized and strong enough to weather a modest slowdown. “Owners and operators may face short-term rent collection issues if there is a tightening in the employment market, and value-add projects will likely slow,” states the special report from Yardi Matrix. “However, most real estate investors are poised to sustain their operations and may see an investment opportunity as the market shocks continue.” Travel, hotel, restaurant and trade industries will likely be hurt the worst, as business and leisure travel draw nearly to a halt. “It seems inevitable that the U.S. economy will experience a technical recession,” states the report. “Business travel has all but stopped and personal travel has slowed considerably, leading the airline industry to be one of the hardest-hit sectors. Restaurants and tourism will also feel significant pain as trips are canceled and social distancing increases.” While the data has yet to reflect the impacts of COVID-19 (February employment growth was very strong, jobless claims did not increase, and rent growth continued its steady increase), the coming weeks and months are likely to show employment cuts and a slowdown in trade with widespread impacts. Learn more by downloading the full Yardi Matrix special multifamily report at yardimatrix.com Yardi Matrix offers the industry’s most comprehensive market intelligence tool for investment professionals, equity investors, lenders and property managers who underwrite and manage investments in commercial real...

Editor’s note: The following article originally appeared in Gulf Property Executive and is reprinted here with permission. Yardi is now the most used real estate solution for residential units in the Middle East. The company’s game-changing, cloud-based technology helps property and asset managers reduce the costs of managing properties, improves operational efficiency and allows real estate professionals to focus on adding value, a senior official said. “We have already implemented our real estate solutions with some of the largest developers and asset managers in Middle East to manage their units with our property management system, and we expect our business to continue growing at a fast pace,” Aditya Shah, director of Middle East operations for Yardi, told Gulf Property in an exclusive interview. “We help them to reduce costs and drive efficiencies in the way they execute many processes across the real estate lifecycle; the management of service charges being a prime example.” Shah comments that some of the largest UAE-based developers and asset managers use Yardi’s flagship product, Yardi Voyager, to centralise operational, financial, leasing and maintenance management for their entire portfolio in a single database. Yardi is a global real estate solutions provider that manages more than 12 million residential units worldwide through its cloud-based software platforms including Voyager, the RENTCafé Suite and a range of other solutions that support the entire real estate lifecycle from procurement and maintenance to business intelligence and reporting. Established in 1984, the 35-year-old company employs more than 6,500 professionals in 40 offices across the world. The UAE’s facilities management market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8 percent and expected to generate $23.88 billion revenue by 2024. The growth is driven by the higher number of new residential supplies that is also putting pressure on rent and property prices. According to industry reports, more than 60,000 new homes will be delivered in Dubai in 2019 and 2020 as the emirate prepares for the World Expo 2020. “The supply glut is considerable. In 2018, about 43,000 units were added to Dubai’s total residential stock (which stood at around 491,000 units at end of 2017) and about 8,000 to the Abu Dhabi market (251,000 units at end of 2017),” Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a global real estate advisory, said in a report. According to a recent report by global property management advisory Knight Frank, rental rates across Dubai fell on average by 7.7 percent from January to November 2018 with apartment rents falling by 8.4 percent and villa/townhouse rents by 8.3 percent over the same time period. Gross yields in Dubai currently stand at 6.27 percent as at November 2018, down from 6.45 percent a year earlier. This is as a result of rents declining at a faster pace than sales prices over this time period, the report said. Shah estimates rents to decline at around 7-8 percent this year, matching that of Knight Frank. Despite that, he says, Yardi’s business will continue to grow. “The new supplies will expand the property management market and these new units will require efficient property management. With falling rents and property prices, property managers will have to find ways to reduce costs while efficiently managing the buildings and servicing the residents. This is where the deployment of Voyager and other solutions becomes crucial for property managers as it helps lower costs and ensures better property management,” Aditya Shah explains. “Although the real estate market is bottoming out in the UAE, our business is growing at a double-digit growth rate, due to the cost savings and operational efficiency that our system provides.” The major drivers for the market are the increasing investments in the construction sector and the continued growth of the tourism industry. What’s become paramount is the need for the real estate sector to ensure the continuous functionality of these built structures. This applies equally to residential buildings, transport infrastructure like...

From stomach bugs to the flu, viral outbreaks are a regular occurrence anywhere where community exists. When it comes to a new risk, such as COVID-19, property managers may feel that you are facing unknown terrain. Fortunately, a new release from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) sheds light on how to best care for your community. Coronavirus identification and transmission COVID-19, commonly called the coronavirus, is a respiratory disease. In late February, the US reported its first cases of COVID-19 in California, Oregon, and Washington. The first potential outbreak in a long-term care facility occurred in Washington. Multifamily and senior housing providers are advised take measures to promote resident health. Coronavirus is most often spread by human-to-human contact, likely when the respiratory droplets produced by an infected person are inhaled by others. It is possible that the virus may spread when the respiratory droplets remain on a surface that is later touched by others. Coronavirus is “spreading easily and sustainably” within communities, reports the CDC. Within the first two weeks of exposure, fever, cough, and shortness of breath may present. Learn what to do if you believe you are infected. Current data suggests that most cases of COVID-19 are mild, and only 16% of cases result in serious illness or death. Vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those with existing conditions of the heart or respiratory system, are at greater risk of serious illness. Preventing coronavirus spread in the leasing office There is a lot about the spread of COVID-19 that is still unknown. The following guidelines have been issued by the CDC based upon what is known about similar coronaviruses. The list below may help minimize exposure to respiratory illnesses in general. Protect staff If your employees feel sick or are symptomatic, encourage them to stay home. Your sick leave policy should support their wellness and quarantining illness. If employees report an ill member of their household, implement or maintain flexible policies that allow them to stay home and care for them. Hygiene and cleanliness Facilitate good hygiene on the premises. Provide disinfectant cleaning materials, disinfectant hand gels, tissues and touch-free disposal bins. Also promote good hygiene with coughing and sneezing. Remind staff members to cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue away, and then wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. In the absence of soap and water, a disinfectant gel of at least 60% alcohol should be used. Frequently disinfect public surfaces such as door handles, bank transaction keypads, touchscreens, desks and other workspaces. Communicate If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should notify fellow staff members of their possible exposure as well. Maintain the confidentiality of the infected coworker as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure. Maintain communication with your public health department. Check for updates that can help to prevent an outbreak, mitigate risk, and control the spread of infection in cases of an outbreak. Preventing coronavirus spread throughout the community Distribute ways to prevent the spread of viruses at home via multiple platforms such as your community portal, emails, and newsletters. It may also be beneficial to post information in public spaces. The National Apartment Association (NAA) has issued best practice guidelines for dealing with coronavirus in communities. The organization is also hosting a free webinar in conjunction with IREM on Tuesday, March 10. You can sign up for that here. The developing story COVID-19 outbreak is continually under investigation. The CDC is updating its site as the situation develops. Click here to check the CDC website for updates. Get the full list of ways to prevent the spread of viruses in your...