This year’s political climate has prompted individuals as well as organizations to take action. It’s important as Property Management professionals to stay one step ahead and be readily available for the residents and tenants we serve. While the election climate has maintained a serious undertone, we can always implement fun ideas to keep engagement with our tenants lighthearted and genuine. These best practices will outline useful principles to help you stay engaged with your apartment or office community
1. Let tenants know they have a voice
Let your community know that you support them and their right to exercise their political voice. This message can be spread through a mass email to the residents outlining the Property Management company values and how they align with their freedom and right to vote. It’s also important for guests of the building to see that your building supports each sharing their voice. This message should be clear and displayed in common areas such as lobbies, elevators, and on-site property management offices. This message can be displayed on digital screens, vinyl banners, and any COVID-19 equipped amenities.
2. Maintain a Congruent Message on Social
It’s important as Property Management to inform tenants, guests, and residents about their rights and options to express their voice while on the premises. Management must carry that same message of support onto your social media pages. Residents and guests are savvy enough to tell when a company or organization is sharing one message to the world but practice a different set of values in person. Be sure to have consistent, and uniform team communication so all members on the same page week to week, and day-to-day. Create fun and engaging hashtags for your community to use when interacting with your posts.
3. Address Political signs on your community
Rather than outlining what tenants cannot do when it comes to posting signs, start by educating tenants on what they can do. So long as it’s following safety code and language per the lease. Let tenants know they’re allowed to post signs in their window or on their door. Follow the information with any restrictions per the lease such as no use of profanity or explicit content. Notify tenants of other restrictions such as how big the size of a sign can be. Research local ordinances on how long a sign can remain posted. If the local law does not clearly state the rules about signs, the community can discuss creating reasonable rules that outline proper signage behavior (example- 90 days before election and/or 15 days after the election).
4. Be an election resource to residents
Partner with local polling stations and early registration organizations to be a resource to those who are interested in participating. Send community-wide emails notifying residents of nearby voting registration stations. Mail-In ballots becoming more prevalent, it would be a great idea to create a How-To guide for the community that is easy to follow with clear instructions. To take it a step further, setting up some formal training for your in-house staff to learn proper voting procedures and methods to answer any questions your residents may have will be worth investing in as this year isn’t the only time they can vote. Providing resources can also be fun! Have your team come up with a raffle for any residents who participate in early voting and share the activity to inspire the rest of the community.
5. Ask for feedback
This practice is done most often by leaders of their industry. Leaders are usually the first to act in the marketplace because they have a firm understanding of their core values but are just as quick to ask for feedback once the action has taken place. The question to receive important feedback is ongoing and consistent.
How can we do better?
Asking this question will give you all the information you need to know about your residents. Depending on the feedback, you’ll know if you need to put more of an emphasis on social media messaging or if you need to create specific resources for your resident’ unique needs.
No matter how you decide to manage your property this election cycle, be sure to remember that everything we do is to serve the people in our buildings and to be viewed by the community as a valuable resource that cares deeply about their tenant experience.
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