Multifamily Media Network Quarterly Industry Recap
MULTIFAMILY DIGITAL MAGAZINE Q1 | JANUARY 2025
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WHAT’S INSIDE? 03 {MMN Podcast Network 04
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05 Multifamily Collective 07 08 Multifamily Weekend Update | Puzzlepalooza 10 Podcast Highlights & New Podcasts
Appwork | From Mandate to Mindset: Turning AB 2801 into a Competitive Advantage
Lifecycle Management Solution 13 Maintenance Highlights 15
VendorPM | Creating Industry's First End-to-End Vendor
16 Podcast Highlights 18 20 RETCON Recap
R-410A to A2L Questions Answered
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From Mandate to Mindset: Turning AB 2801 into a Competitive Advantage California’s multifamily operators are facing a pivotal moment in 2025 with the rollout of Assembly Bill 2801 (AB 2801)—a new law designed to bring increased transparency and accountability to the way security deposits are managed. While the legislation presents operational changes, it also opens the door to stronger resident relationships and more efficient property management practices. AB 2801 requires California landlords and property managers to adhere to a more standardized and resident-friendly process when returning security deposits. The law mandates: Photographic Evidence : All deductions must be backed by clear photo documentation from inspections both before and after move- out and once the work has been completed. Itemized Statements : Detailed breakdowns of repair or cleaning costs are required.
On the surface, it’s a regulatory shift. But for smart operators, it’s an opportunity to elevate their resident experience and their reputation. “AB 2801 is a compliance hurdle, sure,” says Dani Black, CRO of AppWork, a maintenance platform that helps managers comply with AB2801. “But it’s also a moment for the industry to hit reset. With the right systems in place, property managers can not only stay compliant, they can actually improve resident trust, reduce disputes, and streamline their internal operations.” From Pain Point to Power Move AB 2801 may sound like a paperwork nightmare, but in practice, it’s a push toward modernization. With greater scrutiny on deductions, the margin for error has narrowed. But so has the path to improving resident satisfaction. By embracing consistent inspection protocols and leveraging technology, property managers can stay ahead of the compliance curve and gain operational clarity in the process. Key Benefits of Embracing the Change: Reduced Disputes: When move-out deductions are clearly documented and visually supported, misunderstandings and chargebacks drop significantly. Faster Turnarounds: Standardized inspections and make-ready workflows accelerate unit readiness and revenue recovery. Improved Transparency: Residents are more likely to trust the process and leave a positive review when they feel they’re being treated fairly. The Role of Technology in AB 2801 Compliance While AB 2801 sets clear expectations, meeting them consistently across multiple properties is a tall order unless you have the right tools in place. Maintenance platforms that incorporate inspection workflows, photo capture, and automated documentation are becoming essential. AppWork, a maintenance technology built by operators, has taken a unique approach to AB 2801 readiness. Its platform was already designed to integrate inspections, make-ready workflows, and resident communication, making it a natural fit for compliance under the new legislation.
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“The best compliance process is one that doesn’t feel like an extra task,” says Sean Landsberg, CEO of AppWork. “When inspections, photo documentation, and follow-up tasks are built into your everyday make-ready workflow, compliance becomes a byproduct of good operations.”
AB 2801 Compliance—Made Practical Here’s how operators can turn AB 2801 compliance into a repeatable, streamlined process using a tech- forward approach: 1. Integrate Inspections into Make-Ready. Schedule inspections automatically when a resident gives notice. Use mobile tools to complete condition reports, add notes, and take timestamped photos on-site. Link inspection findings directly to work orders. 2. Automate Itemized Statements. Generate professional-grade, detailed statements with embedded photos. Deliver documents digitally, within the 21-day requirement, directly to residents. 3. Store and Secure Documentation. Maintain a digital record of inspection reports, photos, and statements for audit or dispute resolution. Ensure data is centralized, accessible, and backed up securely. 4. Keep Everyone on the Same Page. Use internal dashboards to track progress across units and properties. Set up alerts for approaching deadlines or missed inspections. Facilitate real-time collaboration between leasing teams, maintenance staff, and vendors.
Tips for Operators Navigating AB 2801 Standardize Your Processes: Use templates and checklists for move-in and move-out inspections.
Train Staff Thoroughly: Make sure maintenance and leasing teams are aligned on expectations and timelines.
Be Transparent with Residents: Set expectations upfront about how inspections work and what they can expect at move-out. Start Now: Don’t wait for enforcement to begin. Build compliance into your current workflows while things are calm.
Compliance can be a burden or a boost. With AB 2801, California operators have a chance to do more than meet the bare minimum. They can build stronger processes, create more consistent resident experiences, and position themselves as fair, trustworthy housing providers. The key isn’t just better documentation it’s building that documentation into the rhythm of daily operations. Maintenance platforms like AppWork can help automate the heavy lifting, but the real magic comes when teams adopt the mindset that compliance is just another word for doing things right. As the sun sets on paper-based inspections and last-minute scramble emails, one thing is clear: AB 2801 is here, and it’s not just a regulatory challenge, it’s a leadership opportunity.
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Multifamily Collective | Mike Brewer
Multifamily Tech, Trends & Truths: Dom Beveridge Breaks Down the 20 for 20 Report
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You ever feel like the multifamily space is moving so fast, it's hard to know where to place your next bet? Same. That’s why I sat down with the one and only Dom Beveridge, mastermind behind the 20 for 20 report, for an inside look at what’s really going on in the world of Multifamily, PropTech, and leadership.
Multifamily Investment Strategies for 2025 & Beyond
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Kurt Houtkooper, CEO of Hamilton Zanze, discusses the evolving multifamily investment landscape. Their portfolio strategy, the impact of capital markets, & why rent-controlled markets may be the next big opportunity.
The Future of Workforce Housing & Innovation with Riaz Taplin
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What does it take to build high-quality, affordable workforce housing in today’s challenging real estate market? In this episode of Multifamily Collective, I sit down with Riaz Taplin, Founder of Riaz Capital, to talk about real estate innovation, market trends, and the future of housing in urban America.
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Multifamily Q1 Highlights by Multifamily Weekend Update
The first quarter of 2025 in multifamily packed a punch. We saw innovation, advocacy, and nonstop connection across LinkedIn. If there was one thread tying it all together, it was momentum. Industry voices rallied hard behind the National Apartment Association’s ADVOCATE campaign, urging colleagues to engage at the policy level. While NAA and NMHC continued to team up on everything from employer awards to federal housing letters.
Events? Everywhere. From RETCON and NMHC’s Annual Meeting to a full sweep of regional apartment association shows in Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Denver, and beyond, it felt like nearly every week offered a new photo drop or panel recap. More intimate gatherings like Resident Reset, Multifamily MeetUps or the Zuma bus tour brought thought leaders like Sara Scarborough Graham, Eden Sherwin, and Shiv Gettu into sharper view. Livly’s new partnership with Sousa Consulting made waves, and folks from Authentic, Apartment List, WithMe, and Opiniion brought some of the quarter’s most engaging event energy. Hiring cooled slightly but didn’t stop. Asset Living, Greystar, Willow Bridge, RedPeak, and Rentana led the charge on new roles. Promotions and leadership shifts were steady: Kristyn Monticup joined Pegasus, Dawn Wolter-Parani took the VP seat at Asset Living, and Gina Fortune-Harmon stepped up at Fairlawn. Meanwhile, layoffs from the Zillow/Redfin/Rent. merger sparked a groundswell of support across the industry, with many rallying to share job leads and encouragement. Proptech innovation surged. SmartRent’s $10M investment in Smart Operations (formerly SightPlan), Revyse’s contract extraction tool, and HelloData’s market reports were just the beginning. Yardi acquired LCP Media, Pay Ready acquired Buzz, and Entrata brought Colleen AI into the fold. Jetty and Rhino merged to form the largest deposit insurance platform. And don’t overlook the smaller moves—like Pineapple teaming up with multifamily veterans or Propexo synced up with MRI Software & ResMan. . The podsphere? Booming. From Dom Beveridge’s maintenance centralization deep-dives to Multifamily Mind and CX Unplugged episodes, voices like Matt Beauchamp, Alycia Anderson, and Shelley Robinson made big industry topics feel personal. And Multifamily Media Network announced new partnerships with Even Happel’s Boss Talks and Multifamily Weekend Update.
And throughout it all, leaders like Jay Parsons, Ryan Kang, and Diane Medina dropped data, infographics, and hot takes on everything from EV infrastructure to income tax impacts to KPI clarity. Q1 in multifamily was more than busy: it was loud, connected, and it was human. Let’s see what Q2 brings.
The Latest MF Weekend Update | March 28th
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VendorPM Expands Its Platform with Contract Management, Creating Industry's First End-to-End Vendor Lifecycle Management Solution
Property management professionals have long struggled with disconnected point solutions and manual processes when managing vendor relationships, leading to unnecessary risk exposure, inefficient processes and an overall lack of visibility and governance.
VendorPM’s new Contract Management module addresses these challenges by centralizing contract storage, automating renewals, and AI-driven analysis to drive costs down —all within one platform.
"From vendor onboarding to contract management and compliance tracking, everything is now accessible in one seamless experience. Our goal has always been to drive efficiency, compliance, and cost control in vendor management, and this expansion makes VendorPM the only end-to- end solution in the market to do so.” “Our mission since day one has been to modernize and streamline vendor management for property managers across North America,” says Emiel Bril, CEO & Co-Founder of VendorPM. “With the launch of our Contract Management module, property managers no longer have to juggle multiple logins, disparate systems, and manual workflows."
One Workflow, One Login, One Solution
A recent white paper published by Multimedia Family Network highlights the increasing need for a unified vendor management solution, citing the pain and inefficiencies faced by property management firms today as a result of disconnected systems. The report cites a staggering $600 billion spent annually by the industry on service vendors in North America alone, highlighting the transformative potential of technology in helping property management firms enhance operational efficiency and gain a competitive edge.
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A Year of Transformative Growth VendorPM has invested heavily in innovation over the past year, introducing several major enhancements to meet the demands of the industry. Notable releases have included:
Yardi ERP Integration – designed to sync critical vendor information across both platforms and manage vendor workflows within a single ecosystem
AI-Procurement CoPilot – the first of many AI-powered features built to simplify vendor sourcing and procurement, with intelligent recommendations and insights to streamline decision-making.
RFX Templates – reusable, customizable RFP/RFQ templates to streamline procurement processes, ensure consistency and save time across all tendering activities.
Tender & Award for Multiple Properties – vendors can respond with tailored quotes for each property, while property managers can award contracts individually—maximizing flexibility and minimizing administrative lift.
Scalability for Enterprise Clients – Improved performance and customization options for large property management firms managing extensive vendor networks.
VendorPM closed its Series A funding round in 2022 and has since cemented partnerships with some of the largest property management firms in North America, including Related Group, Avison Young, Colliers, BGO, Dream, Triovest, Golub & Company, and Mid-America Real Estate.
The company has also been recognized by PropTech Breakthrough as the “Commercial Property Management Platform Of The Year” the past two years in a row.
For more information on VendorPM's contract management module, visit this page or book time with us here.
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The Maintenance Talent Shortage
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R-410A to A2L Questions Answered The federally mandated phase down of R-410A refrigerant is underway. Here’s what you need to know to make sure your properties and maintenance teams are fully prepared for this refrigerant transition. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted regulations limiting refrigerants with high Global Warming Potential (GWP). Refrigerants in this phase down include R-410A (air conditioners, heat pumps, PTACs, mini- splits), R-134A (commercial refrigerators), and drop-in replacements for R-22.
As of January 1, 2024, production of R-410A refrigerant was reduced by 40 percent. Manufacturers stopped making R-410A equipment as of January 1, 2025. The final sale deadline for this equipment is December 31, 2025. That means R-410A compatible equipment will only be available to buy for the remainder of this year. However, R-410A refrigerant will continue to be available for many years to come. Previous refrigerant transitions included a phase out of the legacy refrigerant. This was the case with R-22. The EPA restricted the production and import of R-22 in 2010 and, later, banned the manufacturing or importing of R-22. That was a phase out. That is not the case with R-410A.
2034
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2022 10% DECREASE
2024
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100%
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40% DECREASE
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70% DECREASE
80% DECREASE
85% DECREASE
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The R-410A phase down began in 2022 and will continue through 2036. While this refrigerant will remain
R-410A refrigerant is being phased down, not phased out. While there will be incremental decreases in R-410A refrigerant production (see chart), this refrigerant will remain commercially available for many years. However, as the available supply decreases, refrigerant costs will increase. Multifamily owners, managers, and maintenance teams should review their properties now to determine when and how they will replace their current equipment. New equipment and tools may need to be purchased. Maintenance teams will need training to safely handle and store the new refrigerant, and some technicians may need refreshers on how to safely recover and store legacy refrigerants. As costs continue to rise, refrigerant recovery will become increasingly important.
Safe, Reliable Replacements
ASHRAE FLAMMABILITY SCALE
HIGHLY
NO FLAME PROPAGATION
LOWER FLAMMABILITY
FLAMMABLE
When manufacturers began looking for the best refrigerant options to meet the new GWP standard, A2Ls were the clear choice. A2Ls have a much lower GWP rating, and one A2L refrigerant, R-32, has been in widespread use in Europe for more than two decades. Unlike the transition from R-22 to R-410A, there will not be a single refrigerant or refrigerant blend that dominates the market. Two A2L-rated refrigerants, R-32 and R-454B, will begin replacing R-410A refrigerant in the United States.
R-410A A1
R-454B A2L
R-32 A2L
A3 3
GWP SCALE
466 675
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“GWP” measures a refrigerant’s environmental impact as a greenhouse gas. The new limit for residential HVAC refrigerant is under 700 GWP. A2L refrigerants, which offer similar operating characteristics to legacy refrigerants, are below the 700 GWP threshold.
Know Your Options
The first question multifamily operators need to answer is “When will we make the shift?” Some are ready to switch to A2L equipment and refrigerant now. Other property owners and teams prefer to stick with the more familiar R-410A refrigerant and equipment. Chadwell Supply understands this, and we made sure our customers have options. We are well-stocked with both R-410A and A2L equipment and refrigerant. It is very important to note, though, that the time to purchase R-410A is now. No more equipment will be made, and no more R-410A systems can be sold after the end of this year.
Those making the shift also have some questions to answer. Owners need to understand the key differences between R-32 and R-454B, and maintenance teams need to know if they have the right tools and training to maintain this new equipment.
Chadwell Supply will continue to produce practical, informative resources to help multifamily MRO teams answer these questions. Read informative articles in our Product Knowledge Library at ChadwellSupply.com/A2L. Sign up for free online Refrigerant Transition webinars at ChadwellSupply.com/university and join the ongoing conversation on The MRO Show at ChadwellSupply.com/podcast.
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RETCON RECAP Shelley, Suzanne and Janet
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