How To Throw A Resident Renewal Party
October 4, 2017 3:25 pm Leave your thoughtsA resident renewal party is a great way to bring your community together, show your appreciation for your residents, and make the renewal process more exciting. As your residents get ready to renew their leases, why not make this routine decision something fun and memorable?
Oftentimes renewals can be associated with feelings of stress and confusion. Many properties make the mistake of not getting their prospects excited for another year of living in their community. A renewal party is the perfect way to keep your residents engaged and excited about the renewal process. Not only will it help keep tenants, but it also builds stronger connections between neighbors, making everyone feel more at home.
A renewal party is also a great way to show your residents what’s coming next for the property. You can share plans for new improvements, upgrades, or extra amenities that will make their living experience even better. Talking about future changes helps residents feel confident that the property will continue to improve and stay a great place to live. This gives them a reason to look forward to the future and feel good about renewing their lease. If you’re an apartment manager planning to host a renewal party, here’s a simple guide to make it an event everyone will enjoy.
Choose the Right Time and Place
The first step in hosting a great renewal party is picking the right time and place. Plan the party a few weeks before the lease renewal deadline, so residents have enough time to review their renewal terms and get excited about the event. You could invite the residents who will all be renewing their lease around the same time.
Hosting it in a communal space like a clubhouse, lounge, or even by the pool gives the party a laid-back vibe and makes it easy for everyone to join in. A relaxed setting helps people feel comfortable and excited to connect with neighbors. You can provide physical invitations to your residents as well as include them in your email newsletter. Be sure to send them a reminder as the party gets closer so they put it on their calendar!
Make It All About the Community
A renewal party isn’t just about signing papers; it’s about celebrating the community that makes everyone feel at home. It’s also the perfect opportunity to reignite your residents love for living in your community and increase their retention rates. Encourage residents to mingle, chat, and get to know each other better by offering fun activities and entertainment that bring people together.
Ideas to help residents connect:
- Resident Introductions: For new residents, consider having a short introduction session where everyone can share their names, a fun fact about themselves, and meet neighbors they haven’t connected with yet. This helps new residents feel welcome and encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone.
- Interactive Games or Icebreakers: Organize activities that make it easy for people to talk and have fun, like trivia, a photo booth, or a scavenger hunt around the complex. These games give people something to do together and help break the ice in a relaxed way.
Create a Relaxed, Enjoyable Atmosphere
A renewal party is about making residents feel appreciated and comfortable as they prepare to sign another lease. The event should be casual yet thoughtful, with activities and amenities that make everyone feel welcome and valued. If your residents are on the fence about renewing, this party could ultimately be what builds their confidence to stay another year in your community. It’s crucial that the event is fun and enjoyable!
- Food and Drink: Make sure there’s plenty of food and drinks that everyone can enjoy. As simple as it sounds, offering food and drinks often ensures that people will stop by! You can offer light snacks like hors d’oeuvres, a taco bar, or simple finger foods and desserts. If you want to add something special, consider inviting local food trucks or getting food from nearby restaurants. This adds a fun, local touch to the party and gives residents something to look forward to.
- Entertainment: Music is key to setting the mood. You can hire a local band, a DJ, or just create a playlist with popular songs that everyone can enjoy. If you’re hosting the party outdoors, string up lights or lanterns to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere as the evening goes on. A little extra lighting can make the space feel magical and help residents relax and enjoy the event.
Offer Special Incentives for Renewal
You may have some residents who need something special in order to commit to stay in your community again. Offering some great incentives or special deals can make the renewal process even more appealing and encourage residents to sign their lease right there at the event. Think about offering discounts on renewal rates, gift cards, or access to exclusive amenities for anyone who signs during the party. If you aren’t in a position to discount anything, you can also consider doing a raffle or prize drawing. This adds some excitement and gives residents even more reason to renew early. Prizes could include:
- A month of free rent — who wouldn’t love that?
- A new smart home gadget — something like a smart thermostat or voice assistant.
- Exclusive parking spots or upgraded amenities — like reserved parking near the building or access to a newly renovated gym or lounge.
These incentives make the renewal decision feel more like a reward, and it shows residents that you truly appreciate them being part of your community.
Show Your Appreciation with Personalized Touches
A renewal party is the perfect chance to let your residents know how much they mean to you. Small, personalized touches can make the event feel extra special and show that you really care about them as individuals.
Some simple but thoughtful ideas might include:
- Custom welcome bags: Create bags filled with snacks, branded apartment swag (like tote bags, mugs, or keychains), and perhaps a small gift card for a local coffee shop or restaurant. These little extras can make residents feel appreciated from the moment they arrive.
- Thank-you notes: Display thank-you notes or messages of appreciation around the venue. A few words of gratitude can go a long way in making residents feel valued and recognized.
- A photo collage or slideshow: Show a slideshow or set up a photo display of past community events, highlighting the fun memories created over the year. This gives residents a chance to relive some of their best moments and feel even more connected to the community.
Personal touches will make the Renewal Party feel more thoughtful and meaningful, and your residents will leave feeling appreciated and more excited about staying another year.
Ask for Feedback with a Post-Event Survey
At the Renewal Party, give residents a chance to share their thoughts about the property by filling out a quick survey. This helps you understand what they love about living in the community and what could be improved. Plus, it’s a great way to get real-time feedback while everyone is in a fun, positive mood.
Some questions you could ask are:
- What do you like most about living here?
- How do you feel about the amenities (like the pool, gym, etc.)?
- Are the maintenance and repairs handled quickly and well?
- How would you rate the overall cleanliness of the property?
- Is there anything you’d like to see added or changed here?
- How satisfied are you with the staff and communication?
Make the survey short and easy to fill out so residents can complete it quickly at the party. You could also offer a small incentive, like a raffle entry for a prize, as a thank-you for taking the time to give feedback. This shows you care about their opinions and helps you make the property an even better place to live. It also will be insightful into who may be thinking of not renewing and give you an opportunity to help them further or contact them for more details.
Follow Up with Residents
After the renewal party, it’s a great idea to follow up with residents to thank them for attending and to remind them about renewing their leases. Send a post-event email with highlights from the party, like photos, fun moments, and important reminders. Include a friendly note about the lease renewal deadline to keep everyone on track.
You can also offer an extended renewal deadline for residents who might need a little extra time to decide. This shows flexibility and helps keep the communication open. When you follow up in a thoughtful way, it keeps the community feeling connected, and residents appreciate your continued support.
Things to Avoid When Planning a Renewal Party
When planning a renewal party, there are a few things to avoid to make sure it’s a good experience for everyone. Don’t make the event too long or packed with activities. Some people might have other plans, so it’s important to keep it relaxed and easy to attend. Also, try not to focus too much on asking people to renew their leases during the party. The event should be about having fun and bringing the community together, not just about sales. By avoiding these things, you’ll make the party more enjoyable for all your residents!
Fun Theme Ideas for Your Renewal Party
Adding a theme to your renewal party makes it more fun and exciting! It helps create a special atmosphere where residents can relax and enjoy themselves. Whether you want something casual or fancy, a theme can make the event feel unique and memorable. Here are some fun ideas to consider for your party:
Tropical Luau
Turn your party into a beach getaway with Hawaiian decorations, tiki torches, and tropical food like fruit and grilled snacks. Encourage residents to wear Hawaiian shirts or leis.
Movie Night
Host an outdoor movie with blankets and pillows. Serve popcorn, candy, and drinks while everyone enjoys a fun film together.
BBQ Picnic
Set up a BBQ with burgers, hot dogs, and picnic food. Play lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga for some extra fun.
Retro Throwback
Pick a decade (like the ’80s or ’90s) and decorate with cool items from that time. Play music and serve classic snacks like candy and soda.
Around the World
Create mini “countries” with different foods from around the world. Offer a variety like tacos, sushi, and pastries for a fun and tasty experience.
Spa Day
Make it a relaxing event with DIY spa stations. Offer face masks, hand massages, and healthy snacks like fruit and yogurt.
Garden Party
Set up a pretty garden party with flowers, string lights, and tea. Serve light snacks like finger sandwiches and fresh fruit for a calm, cozy vibe.
Carnival Fun
Turn your party into a carnival with games like ring toss and fun food like cotton candy and popcorn.
Pajama Party
Keep it casual with a pajama party! Everyone can wear their comfiest clothes and enjoy breakfast foods like pancakes, waffles, and hot cocoa.
Plan Your Renewal Party Today!
A well-planned and fun renewal party does more than just make the lease renewal process easier, it’s a great chance for you to connect with residents, listen to their feedback, and strengthen the sense of community in your apartment complex. It’s not just about signing contracts; it’s about showing residents that they’re more than tenants, they’re valued members of a community.
You can also have a renewal party after residents sign their lease renewal to celebrate their decision to stay. It’s a great way to thank them for renewing and show that you appreciate them. You can talk about any exciting changes coming to the property and remind them that you’re working to make their home better. A party like this helps build a strong, positive relationship between you and the residents, making them feel even more connected to the community.
So, get planning, have fun with it, and watch your residents excitedly sign on for another year. You’ll create lasting memories, new friendships, and a stronger community!
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Categorised in: Apartment Marketing, For Property Managers
This post was written by Isabella Housel
Isabella Housel is a passionate and versatile professional writer with a deep love for words and a commitment to crafting compelling content that engages, informs, and inspires. With many years of experience in the industry, she has honed her skills across various genres, from creative storytelling to informative articles and technical documentation.