Tenant Events

Summer is here! Rental communities across the nation have speckled their event calendars with group fitness classes, barbecues, and game nights to entertain youth and adult residents alike.—they can be an important tool towards improving tenant retention.

Written by Erica Rascón

06 / 29 / 12

3 min read

Summer is here! Rental communities across the nation have speckled their event calendars with group fitness classes, barbecues, and game nights to entertain youth and adult residents alike. While such events may seem to serve only one purpose—fun!—they can be an important tool towards improving tenant retention.

By hosting resident appreciation events on the property, owners and leasing agents can establish the sense of community that many tenants crave. Residents mingle, form friendships, and cut loose with a few light-hearted games and activities. Additionally, the property has the opportunity to showcase premiere amenities such as the pool and sundeck, media room, clubhouse, and fitness center. Resident appreciation events remind tenants of the community’s best features and reestablish the value of the property.

Take a look at a few resident initiatives that cater to success:

Apartment Communities Kick-Off Summer with a Splash

Perhaps the most popular summer solstice celebration is the pool party and cookout combo. It’s the quintessential way to demonstrate resident appreciation in the warmer months. Residents are invited down to the community pool to cool off from the summer heat. Leasing office staff members serve tenants burgers, hot dogs, chips, and live music by a local DJ.

To promote a more relaxed atmosphere, staff may decide on a themed event involving decorations and costumes. Stonegate Villas opted for a luau theme to their summer kick-off pool party.

Student Housing Celebrates Independence Day

Student communities near university campuses are hosting a variety of events for Independence Day, providing students with party options close to home. By bringing live entertainment, fireworks, and budget-friendly meals onto the campus, many student housing committees aim to decrease risks to student drivers while simultaneously forming a tighter sense of community among residents.

As a Resident Life and community outreach initiative, Pomona College hosts its own 4^th of July parade. Students create floats, dance routines and musical numbers as they participate in the march. The parade is followed with performances by local bands and a massive community barbecue.

A door decorating contest is another great idea for student housing. Some cases include balcony and patio decorations as well. Students are encouraged to decorate the exterior of their units with patriotic fanfare, creating a festive atmosphere while sparking a bit of healthy competition between neighbors.

And of course, student housing can rely on the good old fashioned pool party. While traditional housing may focus on a family-friendly atmosphere, student housing coordinators tend to gear parties towards a nightlife in the daytime vibe: the latest pop hits, dance contests, and drinking games for participants with proper identification. The Zone Apartment in College Station, which caters largely to students at a nearby university, hosts an annual pool party which can draw as many as 2,000 tenants to the sundeck.

What successful summer events have taken place in your rental community?

AUTHOR

Erica Rascón specializes in online content creation and social media. She joined Yardi in 2011 after receiving her bachelor's degree from Kennesaw State University and serving in the Peace Corps. Erica's interests include sustainability, philanthropy, and the arts.