The 3 Pesky P’s that make you CRAZY at your Apartment Community
🙋♀️ Raise your hand if these 3 pesky P’s are giving you a problem at your apartment community!
📦 Packages: Do you secretly hate Amazon because you are buried in resident packages?
🪴 Patios/Balconies: Are the patios starting to look like a bad episode of Hoarders?
🐾 Pet Pickup: Have the pets (and their poo) run amok of your community?
Packages, pets, and patios are the 3 Pesky P's that are making so many of our multifamily friends CRA-zy! And it's no wonder. Let’s break it down!
FIX YOUR APARTMENT PACKAGE PROBLEM
According to Modern Retailer, Amazon Logistics delivered 4.2 billion parcel shipments in 2020, which is up from 1.9 billion in 2019. More and more, your residents are getting everything delivered from their groceries, clothes, home essentials, and so much more. Your apartment community is not just an apartment, it’s now becoming a storage facility until your residents can pick up those packages.
Here are the biggest issues we hear about packages at apartment communities:
It’s a liability to take responsibility by accepting packages in the office. What happens when something gets lost, not delivered, or broken in your care? That’s A LOT to take on.
You have package storage like Amazon lockers, but no one uses them. Things are just piling up outside of the lockers.
You don’t have enough room or the right area to accept the amount and type of packages you are receiving.
We’re here to tell you that you are not alone in these struggles. The reality of the situation is that organized and secure package acceptance is not an added-value service, it’s an essential for most people. The key to success is making sure everyone understands and feels appreciated with how you plan to handle deliveries at your community.
DOES YOUR APARTMENT REQUIRE DeLIVERY TO RESIDENCE DOORS?
If your community doesn’t accept packages in the office, make sure that everyone from your residents to the carriers understand what the protocol is:
Residents: Make sure they update their shipping addresses to include their specific unit number and you can even recommend adding a line that says “ATTN: PLEASE DELIVER TO DOOR.” This is the foundation of a smooth delivery.
Carriers: Make sure you have signage for carriers that give them instructions to deliver to each door. It may even be nice to put out treats or snacks they can grab when they leave. That job is probably one of the toughest jobs there is. Show them some empathy and it could get you a long way.
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DOES YOUR APARTMENT HAVE AN APP?
There are so many great resources out there to help solve any issue your apartment may be facing. A popular app we have heard in the group is Fetch. It’s a direct-to-door package delivery service for your apartment community where residents can schedule their deliveries to arrive when they want.
The key to success is making sure your residents know about this app and really see the value it brings them. Promote it consistently to your residents and prospects.
DOES YOUR APARTMENT HAVE PACKAGE LOCKERS?
There is nothing more frustrating than investing in something and no one using it. The key is making it a fun experience so that people want to use it.
Residents: Remind residents want an awesome feature the package lockers are so they will see it as something essential in their apartment living experience. You can also have them add a line to their shipping address that says “ATTN: PLEASE DELIVER TO PACKAGE LOCKERS.”
Carriers: Make sure you have signage for carriers that give them the instructions on how to use the package lockers and remind them to not just leave it outside the lockers. Again, make it worth their while to use the lockers by showing some appreciation to these kind people that deliver our stuff. Even just a jar of candy could be a nice touch!
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IS IT A PATIO OR A STORAGE SPACE?
The next P that y’all face is making sure patios or balconies look like an awesome outdoor space, and not like an extra storage unit from hoarders. Although it may seem small, patios and balconies are part of your exterior curb appeal. If they look like trash, then a prospect coming to visit or driving by may think your community isn’t well maintained.
Here are a few fun ways to make residents WANT to keep their private outdoor spaces looking fresh:
Sometimes just a simple reminder can do the trick. Simply send an email with the reminder and send some inspiration on how they can transform their space to look great.
Have a contest among residents where they have to decorate their space for their chance to win a fun prize. It’s a win-win for everyone - you get great looking outdoor spaces and they get a chance to win a prize.
Ask residents if you can take photos of their outdoor spaces for social media. People love to show off their space and if it’s a little dirty, they may clean up real quick so you can get your shot.
IF ONLY PETS POOPED FLOWERS
Yes, we love our furry residents, but you know what we don’t love? Their poo! That third pesky P is pet pickup.
No one wants their community to smell like a pet, so it’s crucial to be proactive before it gets out of hand. Here are a few ways to get ahead of this smelly issue:
Make sure you have physical signage reminders around your community to remind people to pick up after their pets.
If you have it in your budget, make it as easy as possible by having dog pick-up stations with bags and a trash can around your community.
As you see residents pick up after their pet, thank them and show how much you appreciate it.
TRY THESE PET PICK-UP SIGNS
So why does it sometimes seem like our residents are working against us in these three areas? Are they evil little trolls trying to make our life harder? (Ok, that was a rhetorical question. Don't answer that out loud.) The reality is that our residents are busy and bogged down with life. So they need gentle little nudges to remind them.
Aristotle commented on the role of repetition in learning by saying “it is frequent repetition that produces a natural tendency.” If we want our residents to work with us (instead of against us) in addressing the P's, we have to remind them (and frequently)!
Sprout Members: You can download these graphics along with printable versions.
Post them around your community, share them on social, and send them to your habitual offenders as a nice little reminder.
We'll tackle the Pesky P's by regularly reminding our residents of our community policies.
