A new, mandatory “Conflict of Interest Certification” form, intended to spot potential conflict of interest, must accompany each lease renewal and/or new lease negotiation, plus at any change of ownership. All landlords must sign the form, effective March 2014. A potential conflict of interest occurs if a landlord is also one of the following: 1.…
By AUSPL Member Maureen Goldsmith The second annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., was held June 11-12, 2014. Maureen Goldsmith and her daughter, Kyra, attended along with dozens of fellow lessors and certain AUSPL board members and staff. Attendees met with Congressional staff to discuss pending postal reform legislation. Maureen shares her experiences below. Thank…
On June 11-12, 2014, dozens of AUSPL members, along with certain board members and AUSPL staff attended the second annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C., to discuss pending postal reform legislation and the value of the leasing program to USPS with key members of Congress. The Congressional staff actually writes the bills and will get…
Clearly, the most important thing lessors can do to safeguard their postal investment is to read and understand their lease. We cannot emphasize it enough. Every day, AUSPL members call us with questions about their post office building. We always ask them what the lease says about the item in question. For example, CBRE, which…
We are excited to welcome Mark Karolczyk as Director of Operations at AUSPL headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mark, a practicing real estate attorney for more than 30 years, brings a wealth of experience in postal leasing and lease negotiation. “Mark has a long history of successfully dealing with USPS leases, and brings a higher level…
For owners of post office properties, potential risks of environmental liability relating to real estate portfolios may not have been a concern historically. However, in the context of widespread changes occurring within the Postal Service, it has become increasingly important for owners to properly implement and manage environmental due diligence policies and procedures with respect…
The Office of Inspector General is tasked with ensuring efficiency, accountability, and integrity in the U.S. Postal Service. It’s mission is to help maintain confidence in the mail and postal system as well as improve the USPS bottom line. The OIG uses audits and investigations to help protect the integrity of the Postal Service. Read…
It’s important to read and understand the maintenance rider in your lease. Lessors sometimes find the distinction between “housekeeping” and “maintenance” ambiguous. Here are several items that are considered housekeeping rather than maintenance: 1. Snow removal* 2. Grass cutting 3. Window washing 4. Floor waxing 5. Carpet cleaning The above items are generally USPS responsibility…
H.R. 4670 Secure Delivery for America Act of 2014 The Essentials 1. For three years, Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has tried to sell his colleagues on a comprehensive postal reform bill. His rescue plan for the money-losing U.S. Postal Service includes ending Saturday letter delivery, closing some post offices, and consolidating the agency’s sprawling distribution…
We’re looking forward to our second annual “Hill Day” in Washington, D.C. this month. More than three dozen AUSPL members and several board members will be meeting with Senators and Representatives to discuss the value of the leasing program to the Postal Service.