MISS MANAGEMENT
carol levey | levey enterprises
Dealing with Ethical Conflicts in Leasing
I’m a newer leasing specialist at an apartment community that is currently getting a high level of leasing traffic. As a result there is a
heightened urgency on the part of potential renters to have their application approved over others. One such applicant has a carpet
cleaning service and offered to clean the apartment they are applying for to expedite their application. When I hesitated he indicated that
he would also clean the carpet in my apartment. This episode has got me thinking that this kind of favor for favor might just be a perk
of the job though it could cause other problems. Do you have any advice for me?
First let me compliment you for
having some second thoughts. Thinking
through such potential conflicts of interest
will help you set good habits early in your
industry career.
Let me ask, what is your company’s
policy on such matters? Ask your supervisor
for direction. Pose the situation as you have
here and use other examples as well to
help you determine the difference between
a perk and a conflict.
Usually there are one or more
characteristics surrounding a situation that
could be a conflict of interest. One is that
your personal benefit whether directly or
indirectly, any rebate, fee, commission,
discount or other benefit, monetary or
otherwise could be perceived as conflicting
with the interest of another not being
represented at the time; customer, onsite
team, employer or property owner.
Timing is everything and so if your
supervisor is first notified in writing of the
activity or potential conflict and consents in
writing (fairly simple email exchange
especially if you’ve had discussion previously)
you’re probably on solid ground. An
additional step might include a suggestion to
your supervisor that this topic be included in
a team meeting.
Also,