When we initially activated 1Form for our managers almost a decade ago, we were shocked to be met with an overwhelming chorus of protests. Back in those days, managers were not impressed that they were receiving applications via 1Form and demanded we switch the service off again, at once! The objections ranged from inconvenience at having to use something “new”, to distrust of a 3rd party forwarding tenant information, to the complaint that they were “getting too many applications” for properties (Do you remember when getting too many rental applications was your biggest problem? What a time to be alive!) Of course this was 8-9 years ago when most managers could also get by with nothing more than a ‘vacancies’ sign out front.
How times have changed! The massive influx in new apartment complexes has created a “tenant’s market” and caused a lot of managers to rethink their strategy in recent times. A lot of the old-school managers have retired and a new generation of onsite manager has moved in, hungry to do everything they can to maximise their management rights business. The next generation of onsite manager is becoming formidably effective at marketing rentals. We’re seeing them using professional photography as opposed to blurred camera phone snaps, better written ads including floor plans, upgraded listings for increased marketing exposure. The days of the humble A-Frame sign being the extent of a manager’s marketing toolkit are well and truly over. Managers today have to be adaptive, nimble and smart to ensure their complex stands out.
The latest tool we’re offering managers to stand out is; for a second time; 1Form. Only this time it seems managers are ready for it! 1Form is a really great, free system, that allows a tenant to store all of their identification, references and rental history in a single system, and they can then apply for properties easily, and without the fuss of having to re-submit the same pieces of information over and over again. It’s a really good system and tenants are now driving uptake… being far more inclined to apply for a property that accepts 1Form applications because it makes their life easier. In today’s rental climate, it’s becoming really important that managers accept 1Form applications. It also makes a manager’s life easier – all tenant references can be easily screened – all paperwork is automatically and securely backed up off site, in a safe digital form – and of course it’s a totally free service.
We’re really glad managers are now embracing 1Form, we’ve had almost 100% positive feedback this time around. If there’s a tool or service you use in your complex that you think could benefit all our managers, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below.