Your leasing office is often one of the first places renters see when visiting your property in person. As such, it can set the stage for a positive relationship, while a negative first impression can turn renters off. Make sure your leasing office fosters a friendly, welcoming environment. Try these tips to refresh your leasing office and give renters the right impression of your community.
1. Help renters navigate
Use clear signage so renters know where to go when they arrive. Your leasing office should be clearly identified from the outside, with obvious signage leading prospects there from your guest parking.
Within the office itself, make sure all your employees’ desks have easy-to-read nameplates on their desks, including their names and titles. This will help renters find the right person they may have only spoken to on the phone or communicated with by email. Of course, make sure staff members also greet anyone who walks in the door!
Renters will also appreciate clearly labeled restrooms, instructions for using the coffee machine, and signage pointing to common areas they might want to check out.
2. Keep it comfortable
What if your leasing team is busy when renters walk in? Does your leasing office have a place for renters to wait before their scheduled tour? Provide comfy armchairs and sofas for prospective residents to sit down.
If you have a guest Wi-Fi network, post the login details in this area so that prospects can occupy themselves while they wait. You can also set out some local magazines and newspapers for reading material.
3. Offer refreshments
Nothing says “Welcome” like a coffee and snack station. Help prospective residents recharge with some light snacks and beverages. Depending on your space and budget, you might consider offering:
- A water bottle filling station
- A self-serve coffee machine with paper cups
- Hot water, mugs, and a selection of tea to choose from
- A basket of snacks such as trail mix, granola bars, or chips
- A mini fridge stocked with bottled water
- A bowl of fresh fruit, like apples and oranges
If your leasing office is open to pets, consider extending your welcome to furry future residents. Set up a doggy recharge station with a bowl of water and a jar of treats for owners to share with their pets.
4. Post your community calendar
Renters visiting your community will be trying to imagine what it would be like to live there. Give them a glimpse by highlighting your resident events.
Does your community host a monthly pizza party? Do you give out donuts on special occasions, or organize volunteer events for residents? Include a digital or printed calendar on the wall that shows off your community’s events.
This is an easy way to share a slice of life in your community and create a positive impression for prospective renters.
Don’t have enough events to fill a whole calendar? Post a bulletin board with a flyer or two advertising your next resident event.
5. Highlight positive reviews or quotes from residents
What better source about life in your community than your residents themselves? Compile quotes from your current and past residents about what they enjoy most about living in your community, and feature these prominently on the wall or in a guestbook for prospects to peruse.
Not sure how to solicit feedback? Conduct an online survey, provide feedback forms after your next resident event, or browse your four- and five-star online reviews for quotes.
Want more tips on expanding your appeal?
Check out these practical resources for attracting more renters to your community:
What is Apartmentology?
Your source for multifamily insights, Apartmentology brings you the latest data and analysis from industry experts.
