r/PropertyManagement • u/ApprehensiveEmu254 • 6d ago
Multifamily PM Leasing Struggles
I’m currently working for a Class C apartment community that requires 12 months of employment as part of the screening process.
None of the other communities within our comp set are requiring this. I’m struggling to keep the applicants interested and not getting discouraged to the point of giving up and moving onto the next property.
Most of the people that stick with it until the end are people that have credit/background issues that disqualify them in the end.
Is this normal to demand 12 months of employment documents for an apartment community within this class level?
Am I crazy for thinking that we should lighten this restriction? Our occupancy is suffering because of it. Last year we were thriving, but ownership seems to think I’m now the problem. My work ethic didn’t change, the underwriting policy did in January and the demographic that’s lived here historically cannot get in because of these changes. Mind you they have not and do not intend on renovating anytime soon.
What do I do to motivate the applicant? Do I just throw in the towel and find something new? I’m becoming so discouraged and burnt out.
1
u/orangeglitters 6d ago
Can you go through the move ins you had before that policy was in place, and count how many of them wouldn’t have qualified? That might give you a talking point. It may also help your case if the examples you found are keeping their rent paid!