Legislative Report, Stephanie Burg-Brown, MBA, CPM

Vice President of Legislation

Private Transfer Fees

Pennsylvania became the 36th state to ban private transfer fees. On June 24, Governor Tom Corbett signed HB 442 into law, becoming Act 8 of 2011.

The legislation, put forth by Senator Fontana and Representative Helm had overwhelming bi-partisan support in both the House and the Senate. House Bill 442 would prohibit future private transfer fee obligations and create burdensome reporting and disclosure requirements for those that already exist.

Private transfer fees (PTFs) are covenants attached to the deed of a property that force the seller to pay one percent of the sale price to a developer, in conjunction with an out-of-state privately held company, for 99 years. PTFs constitute an unreasonable restraint on the transferability of real property, and are a private investment vehicle without any valid development purpose designed only to benefit the developer who imposes them. Private transfer fees (PTFs) are covenants attached to the deed of a property that force the seller to pay one percent of the sale price to a developer, in conjunction with an out-of-state privately held company, for 99 years. PTFs constitute an unreasonable restraint on the transferability of real property, and are a private investment vehicle without any valid development purpose designed only to benefit the developer who imposes them.

RENTAL ADVICE, Stephanie Burg-Brown, MBA, CPM

*****NEW EVICTION RULING IN PHLADLPHIA *****

As of February 22, 2011 it is mandatory that a copy of the Business Privilege License also be included with every eviction filing along with the Housing License needed for each rental unit.

Before you place your next tenant check the City of Philadelphia’s website

  1. click on Public search
  2. click on search
  3. in the TYPE box, scroll down to Defendant
  4. in the SEARCH box, enter the name of your prospective tenant

This public service allows you to search if your potential tenant has any other landlord/tenants complaints filed against them.

Workplace Diversity, Stephanie Burg-Brown, MBA, MPA, CPM

Diversity is everywhere and a subject that cannot be ignored. The office environment continues to change due to the great and wonderful diversity of people that are in the workforce. Unfortunately conscious and/or subconscious discrimination tendencies may be present within our companies. Workplace diversity is not a topic any property management company should overlook.

One of the challenges that need to be overcome is the way our brains may stereotype people or perhaps the way we make decisions that demonstrate bias. Many times we may not even realize that we do it. It is important that we monitor ourselves and our team to make sure this does not take place.

There are two costly elements to consider if workplace diversity training is not part of your educational program. You may be faced with hefty discrimination lawsuits and at the very least you will have to deal with costly employee turnover. There are lots of things in the middle of those as well. When people do not get along in an office environment you have to deal with poor communication, lack of productivity and other negative items which in turn only diminishes your ability to serve your clients and customers.

How to Be Successful:

We have encouraged workplace diversity by making it part of our company culture. It is a team effort and it starts at the top. The decisions we make affect everyone around us.

So what can be done about it?

  1. An overall program within your company that focuses on how to’s, what’s and wherefores of managing a diverse workforce.
  2. Training and coaching on how to listen and learn each other’s cultural differences.
  3. Diversify, cultivate and grow

These points and numerous others are a must for any company if they wish to be successful in a diverse work environment.

The EEOC reports that job bias charges hit a record high of almost 100,000 in 2010. That is a staggering number. The report listed as well that over $404 million was obtained for the victims. The stats speak for themselves and show us that this is not a topic that can be ignored.