Mental Health a Challenge for Some, but Not Most Apartment Property Managers

Property managers mostly enjoy their jobs, feel secure in their jobs, and have a work-life balance, according to a national survey of property managers conducted by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and MRI Software conducted in November.

However, segmented participants within the survey include those who are struggling with mental health due and physical health due to workload.

Some 13% of the participants cited that their workloads are “far too busy,” and an “astonishing” 74% of respondents said their job negatively impacts their mental health, while 58% feel their jobs impact their physical health, according to the report.

Fewer than 10% said their jobs had a “significant” impact on their mental health and the plurality (39%) said the impact was mild.

Among those with “overwhelming workloads,” 71% said they do not have a good work-life balance and 94% answered that their jobs negatively impact their mental health, and more than one-third of those said the impact is significant.

About 15% of those do not see themselves in property management three years from now while more than one in four plan to leave the industry altogether.

These final two metrics are double the level of those who described their workloads as either on the busy side or just right.

Women Represented 88% of Respondents

Nearly 88% of respondents identified as women, with 54% in the 35–54-year-old age category. More than 2,000 responded to the survey and data reported is from the 1,600+ who identified as property managers.

The plurality of respondents work for owners/operators (45%) in market-rate apartment communities (54%). The majority, 55%, work for smaller owners (less than 5,000 units), 29% work for mid-sized owners (5,000-29,999 units), and the remaining 16% work for larger owners/operators. About 52% personally manage fewer than 200 units, and more than three-quarters manage fewer than 300 units.

The 300-unit level was significant as a tipping point, according to the report, as those handling more than 300 were the ones citing “heavy workloads.”

Top Challenges & Top Tech Adoptions

Dealing with difficult residents – abusive or aggressive residents garnered 24% of responses – as their biggest challenge. Mental health, the inability to switch off, and maintaining proper staffing levels also were mentioned often.

During the past 18 months, the top five technologies adopted were: Resident portals; social media or email marketing; online and digital leasing; virtual tours and mobile inspections; and resident mobile apps.