On-site apartment managing? (apartment complexes, rent, home)

[chiromike]

Does anyone know how to get involved with this? Or maybe even managing some storage units that have an apartment for the managers?

[SergeantL]

Originally Posted by chiromike

Does anyone know how to get involved with this? Or maybe even managing some storage units that have an apartment for the managers?

I see positions for apartment managers in the want ads all the time, so I would start there. I have a friend in California who is a storage unit manager, and I will check with him and get back to you. In the meantime, I would contact some of the major storage unit companies and check iwth them.

[SergeantL]

I checked with my friend in California and he recommends starting with the Self Storage Association.

http://www.selfstorage.org/

He has other links, and when he finds them, he will pass them on to me.

He also tells me that you should have computer skills; you may be required to maintain a local web page. Construction skills, management skills, and a stable marriage are VERY desirable.

[Pathwalker]

Interesting that I would come across this thread. I myself am a former self-storage manager who lived on-site, and was wondering about the opportunities for such a position in the Salt Lake area. I didn't have to be married at all when I held my position. I've only ever seen that as a preference for apartment manager positions, and even then it doesn't seem to be an issue when it comes to major complexes.

The primary requirements for such a position are customer service, sales, and computer skills (usually just so you can update customer information and record numerical information in spreadsheets - not generally a big deal). Generally, management experience isn't crucial unless you're working for a complex with other employees under you. The main focus is on whether or not you can rent the units and provide quality customer service to people. You'll also need to do collection calls when people are late on their payments - but again, not a big deal.

The easiest way to get your foot in the door is by simply answering an ad, or by sending a cover letter and resume to the human resources director of different self-storage corporate offices, letting them know what you are capable of doing for them. Even if they don't have an ad out, they might be interested in hiring you anyway. That's how a previous manager got her job with the company I worked for, and she turned out to be one of their top-performing managers. Good luck!

P.S. I want to add that if you go into this field, and you want a position that comes with a free apartment, you'll need to remember that your home is tied directly to your job. In many ways, that is a great advantage. But it can also be a disadvantage, because if you decide you no longer want to work for the company, or if you get fired, you'll lose your home as well.

[chiromike]

Thanks for all the info. My wife and I are definitely going to look into this with the positives and negatives in mind.

[cottonwood2420]

They have on site mangement at most apartment complexes in Utah.