Filling a vacancy during the Corona-virus

[Brian Detlefsen]

Hello Landlords and Property Managers. How are you filling a vacancy during the Corona-virus?

I'm in Elgin, Illinois and have gotten feedback such as:

-Business as usual (i.e: individual or group showings).

-Virtual tours only.

-Potential tenant tours property by themselves.

I just placed an ad for a vacancy that I have and am looking for any suggestions as to how to handle actually showing the apartment to potential tenants! Thanks!

[Anthony Wick]

@Brian Detlefsen  We just had a tenant give notice yesterday that they will be moving out the end of May. Our leases state we are allowed to show the unit immediately, and while tenants are living there. However, we are changing that policy due to the Covid. We will not be showing the unit until the current tenant has moved out. The current tenant was very grateful to hear this, as they were quite worried. 

However, we did place in our ad (with great pics) that we would accept applications without an in-person showing. We would still need to meet said applicant in person, of course. They just won't be able to tour the inside of the unit. Will anybody want to do that? Probably not. Which means we just have to be patient and willing to accept a vacancy for a short period of time, instead of an immediately turnover. 

When we do have showings after the current tenant moves out, we will be scheduling them one at a time, spaced apart. No "open house" style tours. And, we will let the potential tenants go in alone, while we stand outside the unit. Plenty of social distancing happening, even in a month.