Apartment Reviews: A Guide to Leveraging Resident Feedback for Growth

Apartment reviews have long been an important part of multifamily marketing, but in the age of AI and innovation where prospects want instant answers and seek unique leasing experiences, paying attention to this feedback is non-negotiable.  

By responding to and leveraging apartment reviews, you can improve marketing efforts by showing how your community provides great resident experiences. You also get the added benefit of exercising greater control over what prospects see when they start their apartment search.  

Read how best to respond to and use resident reviews to better advertise your community. 

Why Apartment Reviews Matter

Apartment reviews from residents are powerful tools that influence prospective renters and enhance your property’s credibility. In fact, 74% of prospective renters report that apartment reviews have a significant impact when choosing their next living space, and 86% said they wouldn’t consider a community with a rating of less than 3 stars. 

People will see what others say about your apartment community, which means sharing and responding to reviews strategically can show others you care about your residents. Leveraging apartment reviews can help build trust, increase engagement, and boost occupancy rates. 

How to Respond to Reviews: Templates for Positive and Negative Feedback

Responding to feedback doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Leasing teams everywhere have enough on their plate as it is, but having templated responses can empower teams to respond to reviews without taking up too much time in the day.  

Even if the feedback you receive is negative, addressing a renter’s thoughts shows you care what your renters think about your property, and that you’re committed to their well-being. 

Template for Positive Reviews

“Thank you for sharing your experience, [Resident’s Name]! We’re thrilled you love living at [Community Name] apartments in [Location]. Our team is dedicated to making [Community Name] a wonderful place to call home, and we’re glad to see that reflected in your review of our community. If you ever want to share more feedback, don’t hesitate to reach out!” 

“Hi [Resident’s Name], thank you for your kind words! It’s a pleasure having you as part of our [Community Name] family in [Location]. Knowing you feel comfortable and cared for here at [Community Name] apartments means the world to us. If there’s ever anything more we can do to enhance your experience, please let us know!” 

“We’re so happy to see your positive feedback, [Resident’s Name]! At [Community Name] apartments in [Location], we work hard to make everyone feel right at home. Thank you for sharing your [Community Name] review — your feedback helps us improve and inspires others to consider joining our community!” 

Template for Negative Reviews

“Hi [Resident’s Name], we’re sorry to hear about your experience. We appreciate your feedback, and we’re always here to make improvements. Please reach out to us directly at [contact info] so we can understand the situation better and work toward a solution that meets your needs.” 

“Thank you for sharing your concerns, [Resident’s Name]. We’re sorry to hear that your experience hasn’t met your expectations. We’d appreciate the chance to make things right—please connect with us directly at [contact info]. We value your feedback and are committed to providing a positive experience for you.” 

“Hello [Resident’s Name], we’re sorry to hear about your recent situation. We strive to make our community a welcoming place for everyone, so please contact us at [contact info] so we can address your concerns directly. Thank you for helping us improve.” 

Tip: Keep responses empathetic and professional, making sure to always acknowledge the resident’s feedback. Responding to comments is about making sure renters feel heard and reassuring prospects that they’ll be heard too. 

Why You Should Leverage Apartment Reviews

In addition to answering feedback, resident reviews of your apartment community can serve as a handy marketing tool. 

Integrating resident feedback into your digital strategy builds transparency, drives SEO, and strengthens your brand’s trustworthiness. Responding thoughtfully and sharing genuine resident experiences makes your community approachable and trustworthy, inviting new residents to consider calling your apartment community their home. 

How to Share Positive Reviews on Social Media

Boost your online reputation by featuring glowing reviews on your social platforms. Here’s how: 

• Create Engaging Visuals: Use eye-catching graphics or images of your property along with the review text. 

• Add Personal Touches: Highlight resident names (with permission) and customize each post to feel authentic and personal. 

• Consistency Matters: Establish a regular posting schedule to share positive reviews weekly or monthly, reinforcing a reliable reputation. 

Don’t forget to add your own comment when sharing one of these reviews. Here’s just one example:
“See what residents love about life at [Community Name]! Thank you, [Resident’s Name], for your kind words!” 

How to Optimize Positive Reviews for SEO

Optimizing your positive review responses and posts improves search engine ranking and increases visibility. Here’s what to keep in mind: 

• Keyword Inclusion: To improve discoverability, use keywords like “apartments in [Location],” “resident feedback,” and “[Community Name] review” or “[Community Name] reviews” responses and posts. 

• Metadata and Alt Text: For visuals, include descriptive alt text with relevant keywords, which search engines can crawl. 

• Link Building: When sharing reviews, link to your website or review platforms to drive traffic. 

Regularly engaging with reviews across platforms keeps your profile active, which signals credibility to search engines. 

Responding to and leveraging apartment reviews is a helpful tool in highlighting the great experiences you create at your community. If you want to learn more about how you can keep residents and prospects engaged through every step of the lead-to-lease process, contact us today.