Do you have any resident events planned for summer? Hosting resident appreciation events are a good way to interact with your renters and build community spirit to increase retention.
In the warmer months, invite your renters outside for one of these four resident event ideas for summer. Share some sweet treats, watch a movie, help the hungry or pamper some puppies. Or maybe try all four. Be sure to read all the way to the end for a bonus tip that can even help you attract new renters!
1. Build a s’mores bar
S’mores are the ultimate summer sweet treat. They’re ooey, gooey and delicious. They’re also easy to customize and relatively inexpensive. Start by grabbing some graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Then up the ante by adding bowls of M&Ms, jars of peanut or almond butter, butterscotch chips and anything else tasty that you would want on a s’more.
If your community or property management office has an outdoor grilling space, you’re all set. Indoors only? No problem. You can order an indoor s’mores maker for less than $30.
2. Host a dive-in movie
Have a pool? Then you’re halfway there! Just add a projector and some snacks for a fun monthly or weekly movie night. You don’t need a fancy movie screen (although you can buy an inflatable screen like this for under $200). Just project your movie against a wall or hang up a white sheet.
Pro tip: keep your film selections kid-friendly. Parents will be happy to attend an evening event on the property, and you won’t have to worry about offending anyone within earshot of the film you’re showing.
3. Help hungry kids
Instead of planning an afternoon event, consider organizing a month-long food drive. Low-income students who get free lunch during the school year may be missing out on meals when school is out. Help hungry kids in your neighborhood by donating food to a local nonprofit. Make it easy for your renters to participate by offering to pick up cans and dry goods on a set day every week.
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives like this promote positive change in your community and can have an uplifting effect on renter sentiment. Be sure to share the results of your food drive with your residents so they can see the outcome of their efforts. Post photos of you dropping off the donation on your social media pages and thank your residents. Prospects will see these posts too and know that your community is a friendly one.
4. Pamper those pooches
Are your properties dog friendly? Help your renters out by setting up a pet washing station. All it takes is a hose, some inexpensive towels, dog shampoo and maybe some treats. Or take it to the next level by offering to wash your residents’ dogs for them once a month during the summer. It’s an easy and fun job for onsite staff or high school or college kids that are home for summer. It’s also a unique amenity your residents will brag about.
Spread the word
If you want your resident events to catch on, you have to let your renters know when they’re happening. In addition to posting printed flyers around your properties, you should spread the word via email or text. That way you can be sure every resident received the announcement and had an opportunity to participate in the activity. If you’re a Yardi Breeze user, emailing all your residents at once is easy to do. You can text them too, just check out this article or ask us how.
Bonus tip
If you have the space and budget, suggest that your renters bring a friend (or friends) to share in the fun. Their friends will see that your property is a great place to call home, and you will automatically expand your prospect pool.
