How to Create an Amazing Resident Experience: Critical Components

As a property manager, you are not only responsible for all upkeep factors of the property, but you might also be tasked with creating an amazing resident experience.

Fostering an amazing resident experience can be a hard task to tackle, especially if you don't know where to start.

Things like resident retention are all directly affected by the resident experience, so creating an amazing one, is really in your business's best interest.

In this post, we will highlight the key factors in creating an amazing experience for your residents, so stick around!

1. Facilitate move-in day

If there is one thing tenants dread, is the move-in process. Aside from being stressful, it's frankly annoying for residents.

As a property manager, facilitating the resident move-in experience will not only help their sanity, but it will also help you begin the relationship on the right foot.

Providing a clear and seamless move-in process will set the tone for the duration of the lease term, so ensure to do your best!

Let's discuss how to facilitate the move-in process below.

How to ease the move-in process

As a property manager, there are many things you can do to ease the move-in process for your tenants.

As previously mentioned, making the move-in process as smooth and stress-free as possible for your tenants, will not only improve their experience but also help build a positive relationship.

Let's discuss some of our suggestions to help you ease your tenant's move-in process.

Communicate clearly

Before the move-in date, make sure to communicate all necessary information to your tenants, including move-in instructions, lease terms, and any rules and regulations for the property.

Provide them with your contact information and let them know who to contact in case of an emergency or resident concerns.

Provide a move-in checklist

Create a move-in checklist for your tenants to help them stay organized during the move.

The checklist should include tasks like:

• Changing the locks
• Setting up utilities
• Inspecting the property for any damage

Ensure the property is move-in ready

Before the move-in date, make sure the property is clean and all necessary repairs have been made for the new residents.

Check that all appliances are working properly and that the property meets local safety standards.

Offer assistance

Be available to your during the move-in process to answer any questions they may have in regard to maintenance requests or provide them with an onsite management team contact information.

Consider providing them with a list of recommended movers or rental truck companies in the area.

Make the move-in process convenient

Offer flexible move-in dates and times to accommodate your tenants' schedules.

Provide them with clear instructions on where to park and where to unload their belongings.

Provide a welcome package

Consider providing your tenants with a small welcome package, such as a gift card to a local restaurant, a basket of snacks, a list of local food trucks and restaurants, and any important details.

This will help make them feel welcome and appreciated.

2. Create a community

Another way to improve resident satisfaction is to create a community.

Creating a community is very important in the experience because it allows the residents to bond with the space, creating a sense of ownership and responsibility, and helping you retain residents.

A sense of community can be made by creating monthly events, fostering a vibrant community, and just going above and beyond for the residents.

There are many ways you can create a sense of community for your tenants, we'll discuss that next.

How to create a community

Creating a sense of community for residents can greatly improve the tenant experience and even increase tenant retention.

As a property manager, here are some ways you can foster a sense of community for your residents:

• Host events: Plan community events such as barbecues, holiday parties, game nights, and movie screenings. This will give most residents the opportunity to get to know their neighbors and build relationships.
• Create communal spaces: Provide communal spaces like a clubhouse, a fitness center, or a pool area where residents can gather and interact.
• Start a resident group: Encourage residents to start a resident group or committee, where they can plan events and activities for the community. This gives the new resident a sense of ownership and involvement in the community.
• Use social media: Create social media groups for your property, where residents can interact and stay informed about events and news.
• Keep residents informed: Keep residents informed about community news and upcoming events through newsletters, bulletin boards, and email lists.
• Offer amenities: Offer amenities like free coffee, Wi-Fi, and bike storage to encourage residents to spend more time in communal spaces and interact with each other. This helps build apartment communities.
• Support local businesses: Partner with local businesses to offer discounts or promotions for residents. This will create a sense of community beyond the property and give residents a sense of pride in their neighborhood

3. Focus on safety

In order to have an amazing resident experience, you must focus on tenant safety.

If they do not feel safe in their own homes, retaining residents will become near impossible.

Improving safety on your property can help prevent accidents and injuries, and even save lives.

Property managers also have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises and the failure to do so could result in legal liability and costly lawsuits.

A property that is known for its safety and security can enhance its reputation in the market. This can help attract potential tenants, increase the value of the property, and give residents peace.

Improving a property's safety can entail many different tasks, so below, we'll discuss how to approach this.

How to make your community safer

To improve your property's safety, you first need to conduct a thorough safety audit of the property to identify potential hazards.

This includes checking the condition of the electrical and plumbing systems, identifying slip and fall hazards, rethinking maintenance services, and reviewing fire safety measures.

Once potential hazards have been identified, it is important to install appropriate safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting.

You should then develop a safety plan that outlines the steps to be taken in cases of an emergency, such as a fire or natural disaster.

This plan should include evacuation procedures, contact information for emergency services, and instructions for shutting off utilities.

Train staff and tenants on safety procedures and emergency protocols, including fire safety training, first aid training, and instruction on how to respond in case of an emergency.

Thirdly, maintain the property to prevent accidents and hazards.

This includes regular inspections and maintenance of the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, as well as keeping walkways and stairwells clear of clutter and debris.

Monitor the property regularly to identify any potential safety hazards and review surveillance footage.

Keeping your apartment community safe will make your residents feel happy in their spaces, making your job easier.

4. Make it visually appealing

Making a property visually appealing is also an essential part of creating a positive tenant experience.

When a property looks good, it can help to create a welcoming atmosphere and make tenants feel proud to call it home.

This can improve their overall experience of living on the property, as they will feel more comfortable and at ease.

A visually appealing property can also create a sense of community among tenants, as they take pride in their surroundings and are more likely to engage with each other.

This can enhance the social aspect of living in the property and help to build relationships between tenants.

Now let's discuss how to make these simple improvements to your property.

How to make visually appealing changes

As a property manager, there are several ways to make visually appealing changes to improve the resident experience.

One of the most important is to invest in regular maintenance and upkeep of the property. This includes the following:

• Keeping the landscaping well-manicured
• Painting and repairing the exterior of the building
• Keeping common areas clean and tidy

These changes can have a big impact on the overall appearance of the property and make a positive impression on residents.

Another way to make visually appealing changes is to update the interior of the units. This can include:

• Adding new fixtures and finishes
• Upgrading appliances
• Improving lighting

Additionally, consider investing in amenities that can enhance the resident experience, such as a fitness center, pool, or outdoor seating area.

These features can make the property more attractive to potential residents and help to build a sense of community among existing tenants.

Finally, consider incorporating green initiatives into the property, such as adding energy-efficient appliances or installing solar panels.

Not only can these changes make the property more environmentally friendly, but they can also save tenants money on their utility bills.

5. Improve communication

Improving communication is an essential part of creating a positive tenant experience.

Good communication helps to establish trust and build a strong relationship between the property manager and tenants.

When tenants feel heard and valued, they are more likely to feel satisfied with their living situation and more willing to renew their lease.

Clear and effective communication can also help to avoid misunderstandings and prevent conflicts.

When tenants understand the policies and procedures of the property, they are less likely to make mistakes or inadvertently break the rules.

This can prevent negative experiences and disputes that could potentially lead to complaints or legal issues.

Good communication can also help to build a sense of community among tenants.

Create a stellar resident experience

Improving the tenant experience is an essential role of property management.

By:

• Facilitating move-in day
• Creating a community
• Focusing on safety
• Making the property visually appealing, and
• Improving communication

...you'll be well on your way to having satisfied residents.

Always ensure to foster a welcoming environment and your tenants will always feel confident in their decision.