Mandatory vs Request: Which One to Send

The first field on the Request Access form is Request Type, and it is the most consequential choice on the form. It decides what buttons the recipient sees.

Request

Use this when the recipient genuinely has a say. They see three possible answers:

• Approve Access, meaning yes, access is approved for the scheduled date.
• Deny Access, meaning no, access is not approved.
• Request Different Date, which only appears if you turned on Allow Recipients to Reschedule.

Typical uses: a non urgent repair inside the unit, an upgrade the occupant can opt into, an inspection that can move if the timing is bad, a contractor quote visit.

Mandatory

Use this when entry is going ahead regardless, and you are giving notice rather than asking. The recipient sees exactly one button, Acknowledge Notice, described on their screen as confirming that they understand access will be granted on the scheduled date and time.

Typical uses: a legally required annual inspection, a fire or life safety test, an emergency repair affecting other units, work ordered by an authority.

How to choose

Ask one question: if this person says no, does the work still happen?

• If yes, it is Mandatory. Sending it as a Request invites an answer you are going to override, which damages trust more than the entry ever would.
• If no, it is a Request. Sending it as Mandatory tells someone they have no choice when they did, and that is the kind of thing that turns into a complaint to the board.

A note on legal notice

Mandatory is a communication tool. It records that you gave notice and that the recipient saw it, which is genuinely useful evidence. It does not by itself satisfy whatever notice period your local legislation or your declaration requires. Check the required notice window in your jurisdiction and send the request far enough ahead to meet it.

Can you change the type after sending?

No. The type is fixed for the requests already sent. If you sent the wrong type, the clean fix is to send a fresh request of the correct type and tell the recipients directly why they are getting a second notice, so the two do not read as a contradiction.