Property Management Blog

Dear Resident,

First, we hope you, your family and friends are healthy and safe through this incredibly difficult time.  We know that these last few weeks have been filled with uncertainty and fear.  We are a small local business, and just like you, we are trying to figure out how to navigate these uncharted waters.  We know that you are most likely worried about loved ones, loss of employment, reduced wages, your own health, and many other unknowns.  Please know that we at AHI are doing everything we can to help keep our residents, team members, clients, and ourselves healthy and safe.

We understand that you have reached out to us, to let us know that you have been personally impacted financially, due to the economic fallout from the Coronavirus, COVID-19.  We also realize that this may affect your ability to pay rent in April.  As new information comes out seemingly every hour, we want to provide you with a list of the most up to date resources for financial assistance.

Direct Payments

The federal government will be making one-time cash payments directly to our citizens.  These payments should be issued during the month of April either by check or direct deposit.  How much will you receive?

• Individuals earning less that $75,000 will receive $1,200.00
• Married couples earning less than $150,000.00 will receive $2,400.00
• If you have children, you will receive $500 per child.
• Individuals earning more than $75,000 and less than $99,000 – and couples earning more than $150,000 and less than $198,000 – are eligible for a lesser amount.

Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

If you have lost your job, you can apply for state unemployment benefits:

https://unemployment.state.ok.us/

Congress is enhancing state unemployment to provide more income and to cover more people

• Adds $600 per week for four months on top of state unemployment.
• Adds up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits to those already enrolled but who are nearing the end of benefits.
• Expands the program to include a number of workers not normally eligible to receive unemployment benefits.  This includes:
• Freelancers
• Independent contractors / gig workers
• Self-employed
• Those with limited work history
• Employees who are still employed, but whose hours have been reduced 

It is important to apply as soon as possible.  To help expedite aid, the federal government is funding the first week of benefits to encourage states to waive traditional waiting periods but it may still take a couple of weeks to be processed.

In addition to those resources, there are some other resources that might be available to you as well, and we would highly recommend reaching out to see if you qualify for assistance.

In an effort to be proactive, we are asking residents having difficulty with payment to provide documentation or other objective information that you cannot pay some or all of April’s rent.  Please know that although rent may be deferred, it is not waived and a deferral does not change the amount of rent that is due for April based upon you lease agreement.

In order to begin discussing any type of payment arrangement with your property owner / landlord, we will require the following:

• A statement from employer indicating the following (see enclosed):
• Employer shutdown or reduction in work hours due to COVID-19;
• Reduction in wages earned / paid due to COVID-19;
• Other.
• Any unemployment documentation due to COVID-19;
• Your most recent pay stub;
• Signed COVID-19 Release and Verification of Need Form; and
• Self Attestation Form

As discussed above, we know this is a difficult time for everyone in our nation.  If you are unable to make your rent payment, please utilize the resources mentioned above or complete the documentation required to discuss deferment with your property owner.  Once you provide the property owner with the requested documents, the property owner will consider the request and potentially provide you with an agreement for your signature that will permit a rent payment agreement during this emergency period (please note that each property managed by AHI Properties is owned by an individual or business entity, final decisions are left expressly to the property owner regarding deferment).  Please stay healthy and we will all get through this crisis by working together.

Sincerely,

AHI Properties