In today’s digital world, online ratings and reviews aren’t optional. They’re an essential part of your community’s online curb appeal.
Whether your community is looking for more reviews, better reviews, or any reviews, here are some tips to help you take your review management strategy to the next level — and why it’s worth it.
Why reviews matter
It’s not just when they’re shopping for a laptop or a new kitchen appliance. Renters are also relying heavily on online reviews when they look for a place to live.
In fact, 97 percent of renters said that ratings and reviews are important to their decision-making process when choosing an apartment, according to the latest Apartments.com survey from December 2025.
Of these, nearly three-quarters described ratings and reviews as “very” or “extremely” important.
Reviews support your marketing efforts in three important ways:
- Visibility. The presence of reviews on your listing can increase your ranking in search.
- Education. Reviews offer prospective residents a glimpse into life at your community.
- Trust. When renters read about the experiences of current residents and see responses from your team, they may feel more confident about taking the next steps.
And the impact is measurable. Apartments.com listings with at least one review get up to 45 percent more leads than those without.
When to solicit reviews
Don’t wait for the perfect time to ask a resident to leave a review. Instead, think of it as an ongoing process. Ask residents continuously throughout the year and during different touchpoints. For example, you can solicit reviews during the lease-signing process, renewal, office visits, and after the completion of work orders.
And don’t forget to use multiple channels. That includes in-person conversations (“When you have a moment, leave us a review on Apartments.com!”), over the phone, within staff email signatures, on your website, and on your social media channels.
There’s an added step you can take on social media. Once your property has received a few positive reviews, select a few quotes, apply your company’s branding, and post them as fresh content on your property’s official channel.
Not only does this help showcase to prospective residents what people love about your community, but it can also encourage current residents to leave their own reviews. Residents are more likely to leave a review when they see other residents doing so.
3 steps to level up your review strategy
So you’ve been asking residents to leave reviews, but you need some extra support. With these three steps, you can kick your review strategy up a notch.
1. Download your customized flyer
A flyer is a great way to get the word out to residents — but you don’t have to design one from scratch. With MyMedia, Apartments.com’s toolkit for resident communications, you can easily download a readymade flyer that’s customized for your community.
Log in to MyMedia, navigate to the MyMedia Library, and select the “Review Us” flyer.
The flyer will automatically populate your community’s information, no edits needed. Just click to download the flyer, and then share it with your residents. For maximum exposure, print out several copies and post them in common areas, like your fitness center, leasing office, laundry room, and elevator or stairwell.
In addition to your community’s name, logo, and contact info, the flyer includes a QR code that lets residents leave a review directly on your community’s Apartments.com listing.
The MyMedia library from Apartments.com features over 150 easily customizable templates in English and Spanish, including flyers, posters, emails, and newsletters. The collection covers a range of topics and scenarios, including service notification, onsite events, and facilities closures. And it comes at no added cost to Apartments.com clients.
2. Sync reviews from other platforms
Did you know that you can sync reviews from your reputation management tools to your Apartments.com listing? Apartments.com supports integration with Birdeye, SOCi, and more.
If you have a reputation management tool, make sure your reviews are syncing to your listing.
3. Consider professional support
You don’t have to do it alone. For added help with your reputation management, check out Apartments.com’s Social and Reputation Suite. You’ll get personalized support managing your ratings and reviews, and much more.
How to respond to reviews
Soliciting resident reviews is only part of the process. Once you’ve received reviews, make sure to respond to resident feedback on a regular basis.
Aim to respond to all reviews, positive and negative, within 72 hours of receiving them.
And when you reply, don’t just copy and paste a generic message. Read the resident’s feedback, and reflect on any issues — or praise — in your response. This shows future residents that your community is a place where their concerns will be acknowledged and addressed.
Prospective residents will be paying special attention to how you address negative feedback. This is your opportunity to win back any lost trust. An effective response can reassure prospective residents that your community listens to feedback and resolves issues promptly. If you or your staff members made a mistake, offer a genuine apology, and explain how your community is addressing the issue.
Explore more ways to improve your online reputation
It doesn’t stop here. Check out these resources on developing your digital curb appeal, resident communications, and reputation strategy.
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