New technology, programs are options for attracting residents.

October is designated National Window Covering Safety Month by the Window Covering Safety Council. Included in this issue of UNITS is a special tear-out safety tip sheet to assist in identifying specific window-cord safety hazards and tips for repairing them. Feel free to copy this sheet and distribute it to residents, maintenance and onsite staff.

In a soft rental market, one amenity, that may provide a leg up on the competition is broadband Internet access. In Plugged In: Apartment Communities Explore Broadband Technology on page 22, Larry Kessler reviews the options of wiring a property for broadband and the pros and cons of each method.

Jeff Cornejo and Baylor Fooks explain that residents are catching on to broadband technology, the fastest Internet connection, and they are looking for this high-tech option in their homes. Read Broadband: The Amenity That Makes a Difference on page 32.

In addition to broadband, some property management companies use other incentives to attract residents. In Buy Into a Rent-to-own Program, page 47, Lawrence Richter Quinn shows how properties that were faced with losing residents to homeownership, offer rent-to-own incentive programs with the hope of retaining existing residents a little longer while luring prospects.

Another program that is working to lure residents is tailored for seniors. Read about how mature adults capable of living on their own benefit from a minimal home assistance service in Program for Seniors Makes More Time for Fun. Take a look at a program launched at AIMCO's Center Square Towers that helps seniors with daily chores and gives them plenty of time to spend doing the more enjoyable things in life on page 53.

Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a draft notice of a memorandum which in effect would exempt property owners who bill back water charges (submetered or RUBS) from the Safe Drinking Water Act. A draft of the memorandum, as well instructions on how to submit comments to EPA, can be found in EPA Ruling on Water Billing: A Victory for Property Owners, page 36.

Several multifamily property owners explain how submetering has worked for them. In Submetering Case Studies, they discuss cost, potential savings and conservation qualities of submetering systems.

NAA state and local affiliates, individuals and National Suppliers Council Members who have excelled in the past year were recognized by the annual NAA PARAGON Awards. See how these Models of Excellence serve as examples for others in the multifamily housing industry on page 56.

Time-crunched property managers who must administer rent check deposits each month may find time and money savings with the Federal Reserve's automated clearing house (ACH) electronic automatic transactions process. Russ Sandlin explains how ACH Can Take the Ache Out of Rent Check Processing on page 70.