using playground equipment because it is typically situated in lower traffic areas and is not regularly
cleaned properly. It may be best to resume opening outdoor spaces such as playgrounds by following
local park openings in the local area. Community gardens are safe to open so long as social
distancing rules are observed.
7. Laundry Room – Public laundromats are considered essential businesses that have remained open
during the pandemic, so your laundry facility should be open for those who do not have access to
clothes washers and dryers inside their homes. Maintaining six feet of social distance is important
because these areas typically are smaller spaces. Instruct residents to wipe down the front of the
washer and dryer with disinfectant prior to their use and washing their hands after moving wet laundry
to the dryer. Ask that residents do not fold their clean laundry until they are back inside of their
apartment and do not shake dirty laundry for any reason, as this can transfer the virus. Laundry
rooms should be sanitized on a regular daily schedule either by onsite staff or a contracted cleaning
company.
8. Liability – As states begin to look at options for reopening, you may wonder what that means for your
operations. For example, does that mean a soft reopening of your common areas and amenities at
reduced capacities? As you navigate what a soft reopening looks like at your property, you may want
to consider proactively taking steps to protect against possible future liability for COVID-19 exposure
claims from residents and their guests; these steps may include the use of liability waivers.
A liability waiver is an agreement between two (or more) parties, where one party, in this case, your
residents and/or their guests, acknowledge the potential risks associated with participating in an
activity or agreeing to receive services. By signing a liability waiver, your residents and their guests
will be voluntarily relinquishing their right to sue your company for any damages or injuries that arise
from participating in an activity or receiving services, such as using amenities or participating in
property events or services. Liability waivers are only meant to limit your company’s exposure to
lawsuits; they do not prevent claimants from filing lawsuits against you.
9. Signage – Legible signage should be placed in all shared common spaces. Signage may include
floor markings to assist with social distancing requirements. Fitness center signage should include
who is responsible for cleaning equipment and, if residents are responsible, it should clearly state the
location of the cleaning products, and should be regularly replenished by onsite staff. There should be
signage in all common areas outlining hours of operation and occupancy restrictions to include
maximum occupancy allowed during this pandemic. If PPE such as face masks are required of all
visitors, please note that on signage as well. Having signage that clearly communicates information
assists with proper observance of protocol and enforcing consistent standards to all who enter.
10. Technology – With respect to the administrative time of the onsite staff, many companies are
choosing to have residents use an app for making reservations for amenities to guard against
inappropriate crowding. This will help to keep attendance restrictions in place, even after-hours when
a staff member is no longer present. Resident communication tools such as community apps can help
with the reservation process. If your community has cameras, this is another way to enforce
occupancy guidelines.
To continue limiting unnecessary exposure, an emphasis should be placed on opportunities to
leverage technology in the workplace and while interacting with residents. This includes the ability to
renew leases and pay rent online, virtual meetings versus face-to-face, submitting resident service
requests and holding virtual events to keep residents engaged from a distance.
11. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – CDC recommendations, along with federal and local
government regulations, dictate appropriate PPE to be worn by employees. PPE, along with
appropriate training for use and disposal, should be made available to any employee upon request.
PPE has become scarce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies are ordering sufficient PPE for
all onsite employees, visitors and prospects. Some companies are getting creative and using the
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