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QUESTION: FOLLOW UP ON WHO'S PAYING YOU
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Ken:
I have a question related to “who is paying you”. We have real estate management firms that own and operate many properties. Each property is a separate LLC. As is the main operating firm, who is associated with the various property LLCs. One such management firm wants us to invoice the main company, with a breakdown per property address. Either way the invoices would be mailed to the office. Does it matter if we create one invoice or individual invoices to the various LLCs?
The same people sign the agreements for each of the property LLCs. It’s much easier for us to create a single invoice. In some cases there are over 30 unique properties that we provide hosting services for. I should mention that these properties are either apartment buildings or multi tenant commercial buildings, consistent with which property firm.
Thanks,
MC
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ANSWER
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You can have a single invoice that itemizes the various properties. You would be wise to keep track of the different LLCs and also make sure that the management company has authority to enter into agreements with you on behalf of the property owners. That is the case with all agent - principal relationships.
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MORE ON ALARM COMPANY FINES
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Ken
Comment on Fining Alarm Companies and SIAC
I don’t believe that this forum should allow attacks against any one individual for doing a job, any job, on behalf of the association, or the industry. If more people stepped up and participated, decisions, policies, guidance, and other input wouldn’t be left to a single individual or even a small group.
I commend each person individually or committee formed to deal with issues such as fining alarm companies for stepping up and confronting the issue rather than simply letting the public service entities pass whatever they want. If we did that, the results would often be much worse.
Roy Pollack, CPP SET, Director of Training and Licensing Compliance
Comcast/Xfinity Home
Wellington, FL
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More On Collection Issue
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Ken;
I read LS's letter about not getting paid for the commercial fire alarm installation. It sounded like a big job, and it also sounded to me like the fire marshal was somehow connected to the restaurant owner. It's part of the fire marshal's job to make sure that the contractor gets paid. That is why businesses don't get their CO (certificate of occupancy) until after the final inspection.
I'm not being critical of LS, but he didn't mention taking a deposit from the restaurant owner. Cases like this are the exact reason why alarm manufacturers give installers the ability to electronically lock the control panel. Also, if I were he, I wouldn't just wait for collections. I would lodge a complaint against the fire marshal to the NYS Div. of Fire Safety.
I'm not debating the validity of the statement "the pen is mightier than the sword," but clowns like that restaurant owner make me believe that collection agencies should have on staff a few "knee breakers." If you have one of your collections people go visit the guy with a couple of "gorillas" dressed in suits just standing behind him (but not saying anything) he should get the message. I abhor violence, but we live in a violent world and sometimes as a last resort you must "Fight Fire with Fire." Pun intended.
John from NJ
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