I totally agree that we shouldn't do fake reviews. There are a few key times to ask:

• When someone has just moved in and are in the honeymoon stage
• When someone has just had a maintenance request fixed & they're happy
• When a satisfied resident moves
I

f you're getting bad reviews, you can tell if it's a legitimate gripe, a difference of opinion or just someone with an axe to grind.

Rose wrote:

I ask residents at lease renewal and again at move out, to post a review for us. I hand out cards to remind them of the website. I don't ask for fake reviews, just honest ones.

I agree with Rose, that asking for an honest review at renewal or when the resident moves out is a good way to get reviews.

It's up to them whether they want to write a good review or feel that the review is their time to air all the problems whether true or not that they had. It just something we need to be prepared for.

" Sometimes, the people who complain the loudest are either the people who are being evicted or non-renewed (come on, we know this is true) "

Yes, they do have an axe to grind :)

Mindy wrote:

I always read the review sites on everything, especially the apartment industry. Sometimes, the people who complain the loudest are either the people who are being evicted or non-renewed (come on, we know this is true) or they have a connection with the team and tell it like it is. I am surprised by the number of residents who actually like where they live but won't make a comment. Whenever I take on a new property, I go to the review sites and try to answer some of the last reviews because so often part of the problem was a lack of acknowledgement from the previous staff to their residents. Residents like to feel like their problems are at least acknowledged.

I agree. :)

I always read the review sites on everything, especially the apartment industry. Sometimes, the people who complain the loudest are either the people who are being evicted or non-renewed (come on, we know this is true) or they have a connection with the team and tell it like it is. I am surprised by the number of residents who actually like where they live but won't make a comment. Whenever I take on a new property, I go to the review sites and try to answer some of the last reviews because so often part of the problem was a lack of acknowledgement from the previous staff to their residents. Residents like to feel like their problems are at least acknowledged.

It's true that most people who post reviews do so with a complaint, but it's an opportunity for companies to address their faults. Prospects who see hateful reviews can usually tell that it's just the anger talking.

I ask residents at lease renewal and again at move out, to post a review for us. I hand out cards to remind them of the website. I don't ask for fake reviews, just honest ones.