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Best Practices

Unlocking a 
Better Resident Experience

Learn how to create an outstanding resident experience that keeps renters happy and your business ahead of the competition.

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  • Why
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The State of Resident Satisfaction 
in the Rental Market

When choosing their next home, renters have more options — and higher expectations — than ever. And, today’s property managers have new and different challenges to navigate to maintain resident satisfaction. Delivering a seamless and engaging experience enhanced by technology is the new differentiator to earning a long-term resident in an on-demand world.

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71% of renters say being offered additional services are important to them when evaluating a new rental.*

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Residents who are satisfied with the financial services provided are 97% more likely to recommend their property manager.*

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When renter-facing technology expectations are met, residents are 50% more likely to be satisfied with their property manager and more likely to renew.*

*Source: 2025 Renter Preferences Report

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Satisfaction Is Key to Keeping Units Filled

The service you provide directly translates into higher resident retention, more word-of-mouth referrals, and long-term profitability — a powerful combination that fuels both stability and growth in evolving market conditions.

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“It’s all about satisfying the people that live at our properties and the employees that interact with them, and building those personal relationships. That is what drives our business.”

JC Castillo
President & CEO, Velo Residential, 800+ units
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Benefits of Prioritizing the Resident Experience

Hassle-Free Move-In Experience

Digital move-in tools make the onboarding process efficient for property management teams and smooth for residents. This is also an opportune moment to offer additional services to residents that provide enhanced convenience and positively impact your bottom line.

Satisfied Residents

By leveraging digital tools to prioritize the resident experience, property managers both alleviate manual tasks and make space for what matters — forging meaningful relationships with residents and building happy communities.

Positive Advocacy

Word-of-mouth referrals matter. Satisfied residents not only stay longer but also naturally become ambassadors who will advocate for your community and help you fill vacancies faster.

Confident Investors

Happy residents drive healthy business metrics. High occupancy rates, strong renewal results, and maintained properties build trust and enthusiasm about your business with investors. 

Establish a Frictionless Resident Experience

Download this free guide to learn how technology can help you deliver the best resident experience possible.

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Simplify Pre-Leasing to Make a Great First Impression

Here are some ways you can streamline your leasing process from the first touch point.

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Virtual and Self-Guided Showings

Residents want convenience, starting with the search for their next home. Self-service tools allow prospects flexibility while increasing accessibility to keep your pipeline active 24/7.

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Seamless Online Applications and Screening

Ensure prospective renters can get through the application and screening process quickly. Digital applications, mobile access, and tech-savvy screening and fraud detection tools help keep the process frictionless.

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Digital Move-In and Lease-Enrolled Resident Services

Nearly 80% of residents are willing to pay more for services offered by their property manager. Provide more value by offering digital move-in tools and residential services that are bundled into their lease.

Drive Resident Retention With 
Exceptional Living Experiences

Provide Elevated, On-Demand Service 
With Tech-Driven Solutions

Research confirms that 76% of renters say an online portal is important, but only 57% have access to one.* Today’s residents also find smart home technology to be important. Property management companies that understand the technology needs of their customers are more likely to stand out from the competition and provide more effective service.

*Source: 2025 Renter Preferences Report

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Meet Renter Expectations With Mobile 
Communication Tools

Property managers who provide timely, relevant updates through a single platform save their teams time while keeping residents informed. To send community-wide information, take advantage of bulk email or automated text messages to get important notices out to everyone at the same time.

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Offer 24/7 Access Through an Online Portal

Although property management staff may have limited business hours, residents live and work on many different schedules. With a self-service portal, residents can automate rent payments and access all of their critical documents — from lease agreements to community rules to maintenance request instructions.

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Resolve Maintenance Issues Quickly and Efficiently

Maintenance delays and miscommunication can quickly erode trust between residents and property managers. A centralized software solution can accept requests day or night, automate technician schedules, provide request updates, and manage materials and vendor details in order to make service for residents as efficient as possible.

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Exceed Resident Expectations Throughout the Rental Lifecycle

From application to renewal, FolioSpace gives residents 24/7 
access to everything they need to manage their living experience — 
all in one space.

Learn More

“About 94% of our residents pay online. We also like the ability for them to submit work orders via their phone or via the portal. That’s valuable to them and to us.”

Headshot-Evan
Moses Kagan
Co-Founder and President, Adaptive Realty, 1,000+ units
Read the Full Story
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest factors that influence resident retention?

Resident retention is driven by a combination of factors, including great customer service, mobile communication tools, flexible lease terms, and easy-to-use, end-to-end digital tools that provide frictionless self-service opportunities.

How can property managers improve resident satisfaction?

Resident satisfaction with overall property management communication plays a key role in whether or not a renter will renew their lease. Property managers can also increase resident satisfaction with offerings such as flexible lease terms, security deposit alternatives, and easy-to-use and on-demand digital tools that provide a frictionless experience across areas such as online applications, maintenance requests, rent payments, and lease renewals.

How can automated messaging improve resident relationships?

Mobile communication tools allow for instant updates to individuals, groups, or the entire community. Automated messaging via text or email makes it easier for residents to quickly know what is going on during any given situation, from maintenance issue updates to rent reminders or property announcements.

Why is resident feedback important for property managers?

Expectations vary from property to property. Understanding your communities' unique expectations and needs allows you to cater your service to what matters most — creating a community of satisfied residents that positively advocate for you and refer others to your business.

How can property managers make move-in day stress-free?

Moving is a big job that involves many tasks, so it is important to help make the process as smooth as possible for new residents. There's a lot happening during move-in, so any clarity or guidance from the property manager goes a long way. Digital checklists and guided support provide that help without adding any work for your team.

What are the advantages of offering multiple payment methods for rent?

86% of renters say online rent payments are important.* In addition to increasing renter satisfaction, online rent payment tools also ease the burden of time, effort, and manual tasks for property management teams. When looking to turn residents into advocates, each potential opportunity for satisfaction matters.

How can technology improve the efficiency of maintenance requests?

Maintenance issues are a critical point of interaction between residents and property managers. Residents who are satisfied with maintenance are 71% more likely to plan to renew.* Automated maintenance tools can ensure repair or replacement issues are quickly handled with standardized 24/7 processes and that the right vendors are dispatched.

*2025 AppFolio Renter Preferences Report

What tech-driven services are becoming standard in modern rental communities?

Digital experiences that allow residents to complete tasks on demand — from rent payment to maintenance requests to lease renewal — are table stakes for your property management business. If your teams are doing everything manually, you're unnecessarily burdening staff while not offering the standard tech-driven services that residents now expect.

What incentives can help increase lease renewals?

A fundamental goal of any property management business is to sustain happy, responsible residents who minimize costly turnover. Using a combination of discounts, incentives, amenities, flexible lease terms, and automated digital renewal tools can make residents feel like they are a valued and long-term part of your community.

Get the Inside Scoop on All Things
Resident Experience

Uncover the latest insights, research, and strategies to exceed your renters’ expectations.

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