When does your association make an exception to the rules for restricted access to buildings or property? When the government is asking the question.
Once again, the government is stepping up efforts to count the country’s population. With the 2010 census about to begin, the US Census Bureau is asking apartment and condominium associations to help them reach as many residents as possible. Since participation in the census is a federal requirement, associations must determine how census workers will gain access, especially in secure facilities.
And make no mistake: Census workers have carte blanche when it comes to gaining access and possibly gaining repeat access to fully carry out their responsibilities. Associations cannot deny access to any census taker who has shown proper identification.
To comply with federal regulations, make sure your property managers or any security personnel understand that census workers must be granted access. That includes allowing them access to secure buildings and any apartments they request. They are allowed to knock on doors, ring doorbells, use phone booths, etc. Also, there may be times when census workers need to return to the building to try to contact residents again. If census workers are unable to locate occupants, they have the right to ask property managers and associations for occupancy information. Although you are not expected to provide the information immediately, you must provide the requested information within a reasonable period of time.
But how do you know if the census worker is legitimate? All census workers will receive a census card, which property managers can request to see. If in doubt, contact the nearest Regional Census Center to verify the census taker’s status.
Associations should expect to see census takers after the April 1 deadline, by which all residents must return mailed questionnaires. The anticipated in-person visits are scheduled for May through August of this year.