4 minute read

As a property manager, community building should be one of your top priorities. While it may not feel as important as your other responsibilities, community building can actually benefit you and the community as a whole in a number of ways. Respectful relationships with your residents lead to on time payments, and when your residents are friendly with one another, you don’t have to waste as much time settling disputes and enforcing rules. Plus, retention rates go up!

Community building has an even stronger impact on residents, who will get the opportunity to become friends with their neighbors, and they are sure to appreciate your efforts in making that happen. However, remember who’s in your community! Older generations might be less interested in social media, while younger generations would be less inclined to attend a potluck. Communication with residents about their experience is the key to making your efforts successful, so don’t forget about them in the process! Below are some simple steps you can take to start establishing a community from day one.

1. The Welcome Letter

The welcome letter is often the first real impression of the onsite team, and by extension, the property itself. For that reason, it is crucial that you use friendly and welcoming language in your letter to show new residents that they are being invited to join a community, not just a building.

This can be as simple as the phrase “welcome to your new home!” followed by a thank you for choosing your apartment community. Words such as “home” and “community” are much more personal than “apartment” and “apartment complex,” so pay attention to your vocabulary. Include this language in the first line of the letter, and then repeat it briefly at the end.

2. Check-Ins

After your new residents have moved in, conduct check-in meetings or phone calls with them. This shows them that you care about their experience from the start, and they will immediately become more comfortable and trusting with the property management team. Plus, you can get some valuable information about their expectations of what an apartment “community” should be, which you can then use to improve their experience. 

3. Community Events

Engage your residents through frequent community events, organized by the property management team. Residents, especially those who just moved in, will be grateful for the opportunity to meet their neighbors. When deciding what events to hold, consider your demographic. If there are a lot of families in your community, a wine and cheese night might be a bad idea. On the other hand, if most of your residents are single, a singles mixer could be the perfect choice. While keeping your residents in mind, also consider cost and availability of resources, including a place to host the event. There are plenty of options that are nearly free, such as virtual parties or scavenger hunts, while others involve more investment and planning.

4. Use of Amenities

The communal spaces in the apartment building are one of the easiest places for residents to meet and socialize, even if very briefly. A conversation in the gym or an introduction in the laundry facilities might lead to a lengthy friendship, and residents will be grateful to the property management team for providing that opportunity. Encourage residents to use these amenities by reminding them in the welcome letter, and include all the necessary information, such as hours and rules. Keep residents informed on renovations through a newsletter and provide pictures whenever possible.

5. Create a “Community Center”

Lots of apartment communities have a spot they call the “community center,” a communal area where residents can meet and socialize. Pick an outdoor space, such as a pool, garden, or fire pit, and give it the title of community center. Encourage residents to use it through a newsletter or social media post featuring photos of residents enjoying themselves. While in other areas of the building residents might opt to keep to themselves, this area provides a designated space for residents to interact.

6. Engage Residents with Social Media

Social media is an easy way to keep residents updated and engaged with the community. Invite them to follow the apartment community’s Instagram or Facebook account and post regularly with photos of amenities, pictures taken at community activities, and news regarding renovations or upcoming events. Remember that the older generations might be more inclined to use Facebook, while younger residents might prefer Instagram or even Twitter. 

7. Encourage Feedback

Throughout the process, it is essential that you seek constructive, informative feedback from residents about their experience and their thoughts on the community. Ask how they’ve been enjoying the events and if they have any ideas themselves. Ask if they’ve been able to socialize with other residents and if that is something they would like to do. Overall, just remember who you’re building the community for. Keep your residents in mind and use the feedback they provide to improve the community for everyone.

Building a community takes a lot of work. It involves careful planning of community events, investment in amenities, and time on the part of the property management team. However, the benefits go beyond retention rates and on-time payments. A sense of community unites people, allows them to connect and build meaningful friendships, and makes them feel safe and secure. Don’t pass up the opportunity to provide this for your residents, as they will be incredibly grateful.