Terra West offers new service

One of the challenges faced by community associations is helping owners and renters live together harmoniously. To help meet this challenge, Terra West Property Management recently began offering the Tenant Registry Service, which helps inform owners of their responsibilities as landlords and renters of their responsibilities as residents within a community association.

"In most instances, renters want to be good neighbors but they just don't know what is expected," Wendy Linow, program coordinator, said. "Once they are informed, the vast majority of renters comply with the rules of association living while enjoying all the benefits such as the use of a clubhouse or pool."

Under this program, each landlord is asked to provide the names and phone numbers of renters to the community association board. Knowing who to contact can make a difference in case of an emergency.

"For example, if you can reach a renter at work and inform him that his house appears to be flooding, this can save the renter and owner hundreds or even thousands of dollars," Linow said. "If the owner lives out of state, a local contact becomes even more important."

The registry service is being offered to all of the company's community association clients. Of those clients, 21 have made the decision to participate since its inception in March.

"We are confident that our Tenant Registry Service produces well-informed renters and more responsible landlords," said Katherine Grimes, CEO of Terra West. "An informed renter will undoubtedly make a better neighbor, thereby improving the quality of life for all community members."

The company's residential leasing division also offers management services similar to those found in Tenant Registry.

"Many of our clients live outside the state and our management services allow them to relax knowing that we are taking care of every possible thing for them with their renters," Kathy Yorgensen, director of the residential leasing division, said. "Terra West's residential management services can be a great convenience for the homeowner and the renter because the renter is getting information in a timely manner.

"Our clients understand that, at Terra West, we have the big picture of everything. We know the property management and community association end of it and can therefore better assist our clients and their renters."

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