Education
by Vanessa Khaleel
What’s more expensive than getting an education? Not getting one. Staying on top of this always-changing industry will allow you and your company to accomplish your goals.
SFAA’s education programs help keep you informed, up to date and give you an opportunity to network with fellow property owners. We offer a wide range of classes, from “Landlord 101” to national designations. We are here to help you succeed.
SFAA offers many opportunities to gain the knowledge needed to manage rental property effectively; it doesn’t matter if you manage 1 unit or 100. If there is a topic that isn’t covered in our current educational programs that you would like more information about, please contact the association and we would be happy to create a course about it.
Landlord 101
The first class we strongly suggest to our members is “Landlord 101.” This class is always very well attended and appreciated. Members have been known to take it twice as they get so much out of the two-part series. “Landlord 101 is a wonderful opportunity for pros and novices alike to develop and sharpen their property management skills,” said David Wasserman, SFAA’s board president and a frequent instructor of Landlord 101. “In San Francisco, a rental property owner faces huge liabilities and risks. Making a mistake can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Landlord 101 identifies these common land mines and explores ways to prevent losses and maximize profit.”
The course is divided up into two parts. The first class focuses on forming the tenancy. The instructors speak at length about fair housing laws, selecting a good tenant and drafting the best possible lease to protect the landlord. Issues like subletting, roommates and house rules are explored at length. At the end of the first evening, class participants will know how to market their units, select the best tenants and draft a lease agreement that affords maximum protection. The second evening focuses on terminating the tenancy, whether as a result of the tenant’s conduct or because of the owner’s desires to use the rental unit for another purpose. Nonpayment of rent, breach of lease rules and owner move-in evictions are all studied. The participant is given a how-to guide on unlawful detainer actions and other related legal proceedings. The instructors spend time talking about jury trials and court procedures to educate landlords about what really occurs at the courthouse. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding about how the legal system can be effectively used by landlords to control their property. Both evenings allow ample time for questions and answers, and the handouts include the most up-to-date forms, articles and treatises relevant to the industry.
Landlord 101 is a great course to take to see how much you really know and what you need to take next. The class encourages participation, which allows you to learn from fellow San Francisco property owners.
Seminars
Our organization also offers “How-To Seminars.” These quick and easy classes help you perform day-to-day tasks more effectively. You don’t want to find out the hard way that you are doing things incorrectly. These seminars are taught at Fort Mason for two hours in the evening. They often cover: the application process, SFAA lease signing, San Francisco Rent Board passthroughs, and preparing change-in-terms notices, rent increases, legal notices and security deposit refunds.
There are also numerous upcoming seminars being offered this year. “Nuisance 101” is taught by a professional property manager and an attorney specializing in landlord-tenant law. This course will review in detail the usual types of nuisance rental housing providers encounter, the importance of and how to respond and document the events as they transpire, rental housing providers’ duties to the tenants, and how to protect yourself.
The “Get Control of Your Property” seminar will be taught by former SFAA President Marc Wilson. You will walk away having the tools to set up and follow your property’s policies and procedures. By having a protocol that is firm, fair and consistent, you will avoid many pitfalls with your tenants. Finally, the “Owner Move-In” seminar will be taught by San Francisco landlord attorneys and will review new laws, explain costs incurred and suggest protocol for this process.
CAA and NAA Courses
The CAA, as well as the National Apartment Association, offers excellent courses and designations. These classes are perfect for all levels of property managers and allow terrific networking opportunities.
The California Certified Residential Manager course provides students with excellent overall training in fair housing, maintenance, legal compliance, risk management and the life cycle of a tenancy. CCRM also prepares candidates for the next level of professional training by furnishing the skills to complete the Certified Apartment Manager designation. CCRM designation courses can be taken individually or as a series. The “Property Management” series of courses provides professional training, specific to the laws and regulations of California. (See page 63 for more information about CCRM and CAM.)
When you complete the CCRM designation program, you will have the skills necessary to efficiently and effectively manage rental property and be an asset to any employer. If you are currently job seeking, your resume will stand out from the others due to the CCRM designation.
Through the CAA’s affiliation with the National Apartment Association’s Education Institute, our local associations also offer designation programs that are national in scope and are geared for all on-site personnel and their supervisors.
Today, if you work in the multifamily housing industry you can’t afford to overlook the benefits of industry designation. Professional designations help rental housing professionals demonstrate their expertise and build credibility with residents, colleagues and supervisors. Earning a designation demands intensive training and covers all aspects of rental property management.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of SFAA or SF Apartment Magazine. Vanessa Khaleel is SFAA’s education and events director and can be reached at 415-255-2288 x 16. Copyright © 2007 by SF Apartment Magazine. All rights reserved.