Renters Want to See Reviews on Your Listing

Does your Apartments.com listing feature any reviews from your residents? Ratings and reviews aren’t just for Google and Yelp — they’re also an important part of your Apartments.com listing. As prospective residents browse through your listing, they want to see what current and past residents have to say.

As you refresh your listings for peak leasing season, keep reviews top of mind. Here’s what you can do on your listing to improve your ratings and reviews, boosting your lead quality in the process.

Why ratings and reviews matter

Sure, the photos look nice — but what’s it like to actually live at this community? As renters evaluate their options, they don’t just want to know the cold hard facts like costs and amenities. They also want to know about the subjective experience of living there.

Nearly 40 percent of renters say they rely on word of mouth in their rental search. But not everyone has friends and family with direct experience with the property they’re considering.

That’s where online ratings and reviews come in.

Reflecting the perspectives of real residents, ratings and reviews give prospective residents the inside look. It’s like talking to a friend who lives there, without having to know any current residents.

Nearly all renters — 97 percent — say that ratings and reviews are important in their rental search, according to the latest Apartments.com survey of over 15,000 people looking for their next place.

Ratings and reviews offer an authentic glimpse into life at the community. Hearing from other people can increase prospective residents’ sense of trust.

It’s no wonder that listings with reviews get 45 percent more leads than those without, according to an Apartments.com analysis.

What to know about negative reviews

Everyone loves receiving positive reviews. But what about when your community’s reviews contain more criticism than praise?

As disappointing as a negative review can be to receive, it’s also an opportunity.

Here’s how you can use negative reviews in your community’s favor:

• Write a thoughtful response. When prospective residents come across a negative review, they aren’t necessarily taking it at face value. They’re waiting to see how you respond, and when you do, you can show that your team is conscientious and attentive.
• Address the feedback. Write a personalized note acknowledging the frustration and explaining how you’re addressing the issue. This can minimize the damage of a negative review and let future residents know that they can trust you.
• Listen to your critics.  Do any common themes crop up in your reviews? If reviews consistently highlight the same pain points, adjust your policies and training to prevent these issues in the future. For example, your community might need to respond more quickly to maintenance issues, enforce quiet hours, or adjust your trash pickup schedule to reduce overflow.

And remember, prospective residents aren’t looking for perfection. Ratings and reviews that sound too good to be true can raise a red flag. Renters are willing to accept some faults, if they believe the feedback is authentic and your community cares about its residents.

How to get more ratings on your listing

Within your Apartments.com listing, ratings and reviews from residents are highlighted in the Property Reviews section. Ready to enhance your listing with more resident reviews? Follow these best practices.

Solicit reviews consistently

Requesting reviews isn’t just a one-time event. Ask residents continuously throughout the year and during different touchpoints, like move-in and after completion of work orders.

Your future residents aren’t just reading the reviews — they’re also checking the dates to see how recent the feedback is. A consistent review solicitation strategy can help keep your reviews fresh.

Make it easy for residents to leave reviews

Residents are more likely to leave reviews if you prompt them frequently and reduce the steps required. An easy way to do so is by posting flyers with scannable QR codes around the property.

You can download a ready-to-use flyer from Apartments.com that features your property’s details. This flyer will take residents directly to a form to submit their review to your Apartments.com listing. Less friction, more reviews.

Sync reviews from your software

If you use a reputation management platform, you can sync it up to your Apartments.com listing. Apartments.com integrates with popular platforms such as Birdeye, Reputation, and SOCi. Check if your software is supported, and connect your existing reviews to your listing.

Consider professional support

Need help with your review management? Apartments.com’s Social & Reputation Suite offers personalized, expert support.

Get more tips to optimize your listing

For more ways to unleash the full power of your Apartments.com listing, check out the latest tips:

• Your Guide to Getting Leads Faster
• Go All In: How Price Transparency Pays Off in Higher Lead Quality
• Have You Updated Your Property Description?
• Multimedia in Your Listing: A Key to Better Lead Quality
• How Unit-Specific Details Help Your Listing Stand Out

You can also download a printable checklist (PDF) of the top 10 ways to level up your listing.