Why Clear Communication Is Critical in Property Management, According to Industry Leader

Written by:

Rudi Davis

Date:

19 Sep 2025

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A single communication breakdown can lead to significant occupancy drops and financial losses in multifamily properties, according to a senior industry executive who recently witnessed this phenomenon firsthand.

The Communication Crisis

“I was just at a multifamily conference,” says Teddy Abdelmalek, Senior Vice President of Business Development at HH Red Stone Properties, “and there were some areas where the fact that the political climate with folks that may or may not be in the states were getting wind of just a fire inspection… and they kind of got spooked out and left.”

According to Abdelmalek, what made this situation particularly notable wasn’t just the miscommunication, but its magnitude. “I’m not talking about like 1-2%,” he emphasizes. “I’m talking like 10% – that could be huge.”

The Financial Impact

For multifamily properties, where regular monthly income is crucial for financial stability, such sudden occupancy drops can have severe consequences. Abdelmalek points out that unlike student housing, which typically sees one major turnover period annually, multifamily properties face ongoing resident turnover challenges.

“If you’re not communicating with them about what’s going on at your property, things can be construed and misinterpreted,” Abdelmalek warns. This risk is particularly acute in today’s environment of compressed cap rates and rising interest rates.

Market Context

According to Abdelmalek, these communication challenges come at a particularly sensitive time for the multifamily sector. “Vacancy is close to six to 10%,” he notes, adding that while rent growth remains moderate, it’s “well below long-term average of what we’ve seen in past couple years.”

Emerging Solutions

HH Red Stone Properties, where Abdelmalek serves as SVP of Business Development, has developed specific protocols to address these communication challenges. The company spent years perfecting their operations on their own properties before expanding to third-party management.

“They protected that platform,” Abdelmalek explains, describing how the company refined their approach to resident communication and property management before offering their services to other owners.