We as property managers become so focused on dealing with our daily tasks and challenges that sometimes we forget to appreciate our residents, especially those who always pay on time, that keep their homes clean and tidy and that are considerate of their neighbors.  If we want them to stay, we need to show them our love and appreciation!  Happy residents become long term residents and the longer they stay, the lower your turnover costs.  This not only reduces expenses it also makes your job easier and makes owners happy too.  Here are 50 no cost and low cost ideas to show your residents “the love” that will result in happy and long term residents:

  1. Be Nice to your residents
  2. Keep the community clean-pick up trash, even when you are with a prospect
  3. Address cluttered patios/balconies quickly to maintain your curb appeal
  4. Send handwritten thank you notes to residents for notifying you service issues throughout community
  5. Have a good newsletter or timely and updated bulletin board to keep resident up to date on community and local information
  6. Hand deliver birthday cards signed by each staff person
  7. Offer free light bulb changes for hard to reach ceiling fixtures
  8. Offer courtesy rent check pick up
  9. Create a lending library- books, video and dvds
  10. Have small tools on hand for residents to borrow so they can hang pictures and make small repairs to personal items
  11. Offer credit card or direct debit from checking account to pay rent
  12. Weekly rental payments-if living pay check to pay check this may also decrease delinquencies…Get them ahead not behind on their rent
  13. All maintenance and grounds/housekeepers have photo id cards
  14. Follow up on service requests to make sure completed and done properly to the resident’s satisfaction via a phone call at the end of the day.
  15. Provide services such as plant watering, fish feeding, package delivery and mail pickup for residents out of town or in hospital
  16. Set up a dry cleaning service that picks up and drops off at the community
  17. Work with local vendors to offer creative services or coupons for residents at discounted prices-gym memberships, pizza delivery, grocery store
  18. Keep change on hand for coin operated laundry rooms
  19. Sell postage stamps at cost
  20. Have coffee and cookies for residents in office
  21. Stay open late until 7 or 8 at least one night a week for the convenience of the residents…tell them that you are open late for their convenience
  22. Have manager work one Saturday a month for residents to make meetings easier
  23. Have maintenance supervisor at renewal meeting with resident so any maintenance issues can be addressed immediately
  24. Make sure the resident’s move in is absolutely perfect in every way and stop by on move day to make sure everything is good
  25. Send an anniversary card to residents every 6 months
  26. Reserve freight elevators for residents to use on move in day
  27. Double check all the keys work before giving them to resident
  28. Change smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries for resident
  29. Offer to accompany new residents to the next resident function and introduce them to other residents.
  30. Be professional and really hear not just listen to your residents
  31. Don’t gossip with residents, nothing good will come out of it
  32. Learn your residents’ names and their likes and hobbies
  33. Arrive on time if not early for meetings especially with residents
  34. Return telephone calls and emails promptly
  35. Don’t get personal…socializing with residents outside of work is always bad
  36. Remember “Fair Housing” applies to everyone including your current residents
  37. Ask “how are you doing today” and listen for the response…don’t ask if you don’t want to know
  38. Make breakfast or dinner for your residents
  39. On the first of the month have coffee and muffins ready to give residents when they pay their rent
  40. Do regular surveys and respond to them accordingly
  41. Have maintenance respond quickly to service requests
  42. Buy lottery tickets and give them out to residents to say thank you
  43. Purchase color sidewalk chalk to have kids draw pictures and to keep them from vandalizing the property
  44. Have a cart(s) that your residents can use when needed
  45. Purchase white noise machine and provide to a resident has issue with noisy neighbors, construction, trains etc.
  46. Enjoy what you do and show it.
  47. Keep your promises
  48. Be proactive
  49. Be professional
  50. The most important and least expensive thing you can do is to simply treat your residents with respect