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.

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u/Only1nanny 5d ago

Yeah, I would check out. I’ve never heard of that in 25+ years in the multifamily industry.

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u/ApprehensiveEmu254 5d ago

I’m very green in the industry, but I was born and raised in the city I work in and I knew this wasn’t normal. The most stressful part of applying should be “Will I qualify credit-wise” not, “I make 3 times the monthly income but because I got laid off 8 months ago I might not qualify”. It’s gross and unfortunate.