FOCUS: Leasing Office Safety

FOCUS: Leasing Office Safety

Your Safety is #1!

Material Items Can Be Replaced - People Cannot

Coming to Work

  • Look outside before leaving the house.
  • If you have an alarm, make sure you set it.
  • Have your keys ready and don't forget to lock the door.
  • This includes the door between the house and garage.
  • Be Alert & Aware of your surroundings while walking to your vehicle.
  • Once inside the vehicle, lock all of the doors before turning the key.
  • Vary your route occasionally.
  • If you live alone, make sure a close friend or relative knows your schedule and the make, model, year and license plate number of your vehicle.

When You Arrive

  • Pay close attention to the office and the surrounding area as you drive up.
  • Does everything ‘look normal'?
  • If you are the first person to arrive each day, make sure everything still looks secure before exiting your vehicle.
  • If the door or a window is open and no other employees should be there yet, do not enter the building.
  • Stay in your vehicle and call the office - if an employee answers, ask if it is safe to enter and why the building is not secure.  If there is no answer, Call the Police!
  • If everything is okay and you can enter, lock your vehicle and set the alarm before going into the office.
  • Once inside, check all of the doors and windows to make sure everything is still locked.
  • Be sure to lock the front door behind you until opening time or until the next employee arrives.
  • If the office appears to have been burglarized, exit immediately and call the Police - do not touch anything.

General Safety During the Day

  • Wear an ID that shows that you are an employee.
  • Polo shirts with your property logo are great.
  • Police need to be able to tell employees from residents during critical incidents.
  • Don't forget the maintenance staff.
  • Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
  • Never leave valuables in plain sight.
  • Don't give out personal information.
  • Have a code word for the office.
  • Listen to your instincts.
  • Look up and greet everyone as they walk through the door.
  • Be sure someone knows which unit you are going to show, what time you left, and how long it should take.
  • If something goes wrong, get away, call the Police, be a good witness - Don't try to 'take care of it' yourself.

Working with Residents

  • Know your residents.
  • Communicate with them.
  • Do not give out personal information.
  • Always remain professional.
  • Stay calm when faced with an angry resident.
  • Showing anger only escalates the situation.
  • Try to calm the other person down.
  • Record conversations that may be misinterpreted.
  • Let the resident know that you will be recording this interaction in an effort to protect both of you.
  • Document everything!
  • If you feel fear, call the police.
  • Listen to your instincts.
  • Be a good witness, not a hero!

Working with Prospects

  • Be very clear about background checks.
  • Be very clear about the Crime Free Lease Addendum.
  • Explain other property rules clearly: Parking, Pets, Noise, etc.
  • Post signage that shows the property rules.
  • No cash accepted.
  • Must have Photo ID to tour units.
  • Make sure you have their ID and that the picture actually matches the person in front of you.
  • Open the door and let them enter the unit first.
  • Never turn your back on a person you are showing a unit to.
  • Stay close to an exit door - Keep it open.
  • Walk outside and wait for them to come out when done.

Going to the Bank

  • Do not accept cash.
  • Collect checks from the drop slot first thing in the morning, right after lunch, and before you leave.
  • Do Not use a marked bank bag to carry your deposit.
  • Go inside the bank to make the deposit.
  • Vary the following:
    • Day of Week
    • Day of Month
    • Time of Day
    • Bank Location
    • Your Route
  • Be Alert & Aware of your surroundings at all times.

Heading Home!

  • Use the buddy system.
  • If possible, try not to leave any employee by themselves.
  • Double check that all windows and doors are locked.
  • Close the blinds - Remember... Out of Sight, Out of Mind!
  • Look around outside before you open the door to leave.
  • Have your keys ready and in your hand before walking out.
  • Listen to your instincts - don't be afraid to go back in.
  • Be Alert & Aware - does anything look suspicious?
  • Once inside your vehicle, lock the doors.
  • Vary your route home occasionally.

Your Community Resource Officer

David Danielson (520) 382-2051
ddanielson@maranaaz.gov

Back to top