Attention: All Associates

You may be familiar with the National Multifamily Housing Council’s bi-annual Renter Preferences Study, in which Essex participated in 2015. We are pleased to once again participate in this nationwide survey, which collects feedback directly from residents of industry-leading multifamily firms across the U.S.

Purpose of the Renter Preferences Study
NMHC’s Renter Preferences Study gathers feedback directly from residents to better understand the apartment search process and what residents desire in an apartment home. Key areas include lease decision factors, pricing expectations, community amenity preferences and more.

For your reference, here is this year's survey: 

2017 NMHC Renter Preferences Survey – Questionnaire

What leasing teams need to know about resident communications

• Residents who are lessees will be invited to participate in the survey
• Residents’ individual responses are anonymous
• All respondents will be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card, sponsored by Kingsley Associates
• The survey is administered by Kingsley Associates, who will send an email invitation directly to residents with their unique survey link
• Residents can expect email messages from Kingsley Associates, as well as Essex’s Communications team. The resident communications plan is below, along with one action item for community managers highlighted in yellow below.

Resident Communications Plan
Message	Distribution Date	Responsible Party	Preview
Resident Flyer to post in common areas of community	July 5	Community Managers	2017 NMHC Renter Preferences Survey - Resident Flyer
Initial Announcement	July 5	Essex Communications	2017 NMHC Renter Preferences Survey - Initial Resident Email from Essex
Survey Invitation	Week of July 10	Kingsley Associates	2017 NMHC RPS Survey Invitation & Reminder Email Sample
Survey Reminder	Week of July 24 (if resident not yet responded)	Kingsley Associates	2017 NMHC RPS Survey Invitation & Reminder Email Sample
Survey Final Reminder	Week of August 7 (if resident not yet responded)	Kingsley Associates	2017 NMHC RPS Survey Invitation & Reminder Email Sample
Participation Thank You	August 15	Essex Communications	2017 NMHC Renter Preferences Survey - Thank You Resident Email from Essex

How on-site associates can support the initiative
On-site teams can support this initiative by encouraging resident participation in the following ways:

• Community Managers should post the resident flyer in common areas (see highlighted section in Resident Communications Plan above)
• Encourage resident participation in-person via casual interactions

 
Survey Results
We anticipate the survey report to be available in early November, at which point we will share with you both key takeaways and the full report. Once key stakeholders have had the opportunity to review the results, we will open a dialog to discuss survey topics that Essex should address.
 
For a preview of what to expect, here is the 2015 Renter Preferences Study Full Report:

2015 Renter Preferences Study Full Report

 
Questions or Feedback?
We invite you to share any questions or feedback with communications@essex.com.

Thank you!