Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Leasing Consultant

A Leasing Consultant is a professional who is responsible for assisting property owners and managers in leasing residential or commercial properties to potential tenants. They serve as the primary point of contact for prospective tenants, providing information, conducting property tours, and facilitating the leasing process. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Leasing Consultants.

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Main Responsibilities of a Leasing Consultant

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Leasing Consultant:

Address

Address tenant concerns, complaints, and maintenance requests promptly.

Adhere to

Adhere to all policies and procedures given by the property.
Adhere to the Employee Handbook.

Advertise

Advertise and market available units through various channels.

Answer

Answer and report all leasing traffic and phone calls.
Answer incoming phone calls and emails and responds to inquiries in a timely fashion.

Assist in

Assist in complete market surveys.
Assist in coordinating all resident activities.
Assist in generating traffic through active participation in the community's marketing strategy.
Assist in helping ensure lease files are current.
Assist in keeping grounds clean, and reports community maintenance needs.
Assist in Landlord Representation acitivities.
Assist in marketing and Social Media advertising as directed by the Manager.
Assist in monitoring renewals.
Assist in obtaining marketing information.
Assist in placing, removing, replacing banners, balloons, bandit signs, flags, etc..
Assist in planning and participating in resident functions as directed by the Community Manager.
Assist in providing and maintaining excellent curb appeal.
Assist in risk management to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, property and staff.
Assist in the preparation of leasing contracts and lease addendums.
Assist management team with other various tasks as required.
Assist manager with rent and delinquency collection.
Assist new residents with the move-in process.
Assist with company sponsored resident events.
Assist with completion of incoming and outgoing suite inspections and document as required.
Assist with implementing resident retention and renewal programs.
Assist with lease renewals and lease terminations.
Assist with market research and analyzing data.
Assist with market surveys, as needed.
Assist with the development and implementation of leasing incentives and specials.
Assist with the preparation of property budgets and financial forecasts.
Assist with the processing of rental applications.

Attend

Attend and participates in training programs and events.
Attend functions and participate as host for any functions as directed by the Property Manager.
Attend industry events and networking opportunities to generate leads.
Attend webinars provided by JLL Global Educational Center.

Audit

Audit all lease and renewal files for key controls and bonus submission to the Property Manager.

Build

Build and foster a network of referrals to create new opportunities for revenue growth.

Champion

Champion the Mill Creek Brand Promise, Core Values, Service Standards and Manifesto.

Collaborate

Collaborate with marketing teams to develop and implement leasing strategies.
Collaborate with property management teams to ensure the smooth operation of the property.

Collect

Collect and process application fees, security deposits, and rent payments.
Collect deposit and / or fees associated with move-in.
Collect rent from residents and report to supervisor.
Collect required information from prospective residents to qualify residents for a lease.

Communicate

Communicate related service needs to Community Manager.
Communicate upkeep needs with Property Manager and Maintenance Team.

Compile

Compile leasing paperwork accurately.

Complete

Complete all forms and data entry associated with leasing activities.
Complete all lease and renewal paperwork.
Complete all necessary move-out paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
Complete all new & renewal lease paperwork, collects initial deposits, fees and rental payments.
Complete follow-up thank you notes and call-backs with prospects after initial community visit.
Complete Guest Card information form on all guests, sends thank-you notes and perform follow-up.
Complete Guest information form on all prospects, send thank you notes and perform follow up.
Complete outreach marketing and record all marketing efforts.
Complete vehicle quotes and explain financing and warranty options for new and pre-owned vehicles.
Complete weekly leasing reports in accurate and timely fashion.

Conduct

Conduct background checks and credit screenings on applicants.
Conduct community member's move-out unit walks.
Conduct market analysis to identify rental trends and opportunities.
Conduct market research to stay updated on rental rates and competition.
Conduct market surveys and analysis to identify target tenant demographics.
Conduct monthly market surveys and provide the information to Head Office.
Conduct outreach to local businesses and organizations to attract potential tenants.
Conduct property tours to showcase available units to prospective tenants.
Conduct service follow-up with resident when work is completed.
Conduct tours of the community and specific apartments with prospective residents.

Confirm

Confirm rental application data and personal references.

Connect with

Connect with prospective residents through phone calls, appointments, and follow-up communications.

Contribute to

Contribute to cleanliness and curb appeal of the community on continuing basis.
Contribute to the general upkeep and cleaning of office, common areas and model.

Coordinate

Coordinate and communicates with residents when applicable.
Coordinate and schedule property maintenance and repairs.
Coordinate move-in and move-out procedures with tenants.
Coordinate with leasing agents and brokers for property showings and promotions.

Create

Create a lasting influence on visitors, prospects, and residents through customer service focus.
Create and execute marketing strategies to increase qualified traffic.
Create and maintain accurate records of tenant interactions, leases, and rental agreements.

Design

Design marketing plan and activities to drive traffic to the property.

Develop

Develop and utilize resident retention programs.
Develop meaningful relationships with prospects to encourage trust and loyalty.
Develop relationships in the immediate neighborhood which result in referrals and generate leases.

Distribute

Distribute and follow up on renewal notices.

Document

Document all resident communications (verbal and written) in computer.

Drive

Drive online and local presence.
Drive performance by understanding and achieving sales goals.

Enhance

Enhance the customer experience by demonstrating the vehicles features and conducting a test drive.

Ensure

Ensure apartments are inspected and ready for move-in.
Ensure apartments are prepared for move-in.
Ensure a professional appearance and manner for oneself.
Ensure consistency in dealing with residents on all matters.
Ensure lease is completed according to Company policy.
Ensure model apartments are in touring condition.
Ensure move-in process is completed according to Company policy.
Ensure prompt collection of accounts receivable.
Ensure proper maintenance and inspect properties periodically.
Ensure proper maintenance of all resident files.
Ensure that residents complete lease agreement paperwork completely and timely.
Ensure that the office, models, and market ready vacant units are in perfect conditions.
Ensure the office, clubroom, apartment models, and "market ready” units meet Mill Creek Standards.

Enter

Enter all traffic, telephone calls and other daily activity in the computer system.

Explain

Explain lease and all appropriate addenda to new residents.

Follow

Follow Bridge policies and procedures and comply with Fair Housing, state and federal laws.

Follow-up

Follow-up and rapport are in your DNA.
Follow-up with all leads and prospects that did not lease.

Greet

Greet and Qualify prospects.
Greet, qualify, tour community, and sign lease.

Handle

Handle transactions like accepting rent and deposits and inspecting move-ins and move-outs.

Help

Help create engaging social media initiatives to connect residents, and manage posts.
Help ensure compliance with all levels of safety rules.
Help plan and host monthly resident functions as directed by supervisor.

Increase

Increase resident retention by providing excellent customer service.

Initiate

Initiate and manage maintenance requests.
Initiate the process to screen prospective residents.

Input

Input information into computer.

Inspect

Inspect models and available "market ready” units.
Inspect move-ins, move-outs and vacancies.
Inspect all pre-leased apartments prior to resident's scheduled move-in date.
Inspect models and vacant units daily to ensure cleanliness.
Inspect units on a quarterly basis as well as prior to move-in.

Introduce

Introduce resident to apartment / property procedures.

Keep

Keep abreast of the property market status.
Keep residents appraised of the status of ongoing projects and how in many affect them.
Keep those ambitions in sights and imagine where JLL can take you....
Keep track of multitudes without feeling like your head might spin.

Know

Know the competitive market and has a pulse on the changing atmosphere.

Maintain

Maintain a 40% closing ratio.
Maintain a neat and organized leasing office and model units.
Maintain a professional appearance.
Maintain awareness of local market conditions and trends.
Maintain community's customer base with an effective resident retention program.
Maintain exceptional standard of leasing office, tour path, and model apartments.
Maintain model suites ensuring all standards are consistently met.
Maintain positive customer relations attitude.
Maintain thorough knowledge of lease terms, specifications and all community policies.
Maintain work area in a clean and organized manner.

Make

Make marketing recommendations based on an analysis of the marketing surveys.

Manage

Manage excellent customer service and monitor service request turnaround and responsiveness.
Manage lease negotiations, assist with resident retention and manage the renewal process.

Meet

Meet and greet all customers, explaining benefits of community.
Meet individual and department goals.
Meet or exceed leasing goals set by supervisor.
Meet sales goals and objectives and all required metrics related to the overall customer experience.

Monitor

Monitor advertising effectiveness.
Monitor all vacancies and future vacancies in order to react proactively to future occupancy needs.
Monitor local market trends and conditions, and updates property comparables once a month.
Monitor monthly lease expirations.
Monitor office supplies and reports needs.

Negotiate

Negotiate lease terms and conditions with prospective tenants.
Negotiate the price and has the transaction approved by the sales manager.

Notify

Notify all applicants of the Landlord's decision (approval or decline) of the application.
Notify prospective resident of approval or disapproval.
Notify the sales manager in the case of an exchange or refund or when a credit note is drawn up.

Participate in

Participate daily in team meetings to uphold Employee Promise and Team Vision Statement.
Participate in ongoing resident relations.
Participate in outreach marketing activities regularly to obtain prospective residents.
Participate in resident events.

Perform

Perform and report all property tours.

Pick

Pick up litter and report any service needs to maintenance staff.

Place

Place marketing content into networks and social media for the best effect.

Prepare

Prepare and deliver presentations to promote properties to potential tenants.
Prepare and distribute leasing documents and rental applications.
Prepare lease paperwork and weekly / monthly reports.
Prepare leasing reports and financial summaries for property owners and managers.
Prepare, maintain, and manage new and existing lease files.
Prepare miscellaneous resident communication as needed.
Prepare move-in packages and lease paperwork.
Prepare organized packets and documents for move ins, turns and renewals.
Prepare work orders for service and triages requests to staff members as appropriate.

Present

Present apartment community in a professional manner at all times.
Present apartments, houses or other properties to prospective clients in a persuasive manner.

Process

Process and verify leasing applications and corresponding documents.
Process rental applications.

Prospect

Prospect new customers and maintain relationships with existing customers.

Provide

Provide accurate information on the different features of properties.
Provide a full orientation when possible.
Provide customer service to future and current residents.
Provide detailed information about the property, including amenities, leasing terms, and policies.
Provide exceptional customer service and maintain positive relationships with tenants.
Provide exceptional service to customers, vendors, and colleagues.
Provide follow up to every lead in accordance to company standards.
Provide outside marketing and establish rapport with local businesses and community agencies.

Qualify

Qualify prospective residents to determine their needs and suitability as candidates.

Receive

Receive resident service requests and administer building work order system.
Receive telephone calls and in-person visits.

Record

Record all telephone and in-person traffic according to Company policy.
Record and reports all leasing traffic (including phone, internet and walk-in tours).

Register

Represent

Represent agency at industry and client / community functions.
Represent the community and builds the Onni reputation with every interaction.
Represent the company in a professional manner at all the times.

Respond to

Respond to inquiries and communicate with prospective tenants via phone, email, or in person.
Respond to phone and email inquiries from prospective and current residents.

Retrieve

Retrieve all keys, passes, etc. from resident.

Review

Review all notices to vacate to determine the cause of the move-out.
Review and submit changes to the Availability Report each week or as directed.
Review, complete and maintain Availability Report and Traffic report.
Review pending applications to be submitted for approval.

Run

Run credit checks or send into corporate office to be processed.

Screen

Screen potential tenants by verifying their income, employment, and rental history.

Sell

Sell specific property benefits to prospective residents in order to obtain a commitment to rent.

Set

Set goals for each month's productivity.

Shop

Shop competitive properties as requested.

Show

Show apartment units to prospective tenants and process move-in paperwork for qualified applicants.

Showcase

Showcase the value of the community features as they relate to the customer needs.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with local and state housing regulations and laws.

Support

Support efforts to partner with nearby businesses, events, and other local organizations.
Support occupancy and retention goals by following up with potential and current residents.
Support online clients by answering questions and setting up appointments when appropriate.
Support other client service team members in these functions.
Support the leasing operations and financial performance of an assigned apartment community for MAA.

Take

Take initiative to anticipate problems and takes action to prevent them.
Take part in training courses on products and sales, as instructed by the sales manager.

Transit

Transit commuters will have an easy commute with the bus stop right outside their door.

Understand

Understand and demonstrate the product or service to the prospect.
Understand and explain the TAA Lease Contract to current and future residents.
Understand Fair Housing and ADA laws and standards.
Understand how to incorporate the revenue management software into the sales presentation.

Work with

Work Closely with Sales Operations Manager to Develop and Implement New Policy & Procedures.
Work with community vendors.
Work with our marketing team to grow our customer base.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Leasing Consultant:

Proficiency in property management software and leasing platforms.
Knowledge of fair housing laws and regulations.
Understanding of lease agreements and legal documents.
Familiarity with property management accounting and financial software.
Experience with tenant screening and background check processes.
Proficient in conducting property tours and showcasing units.
Knowledge of leasing terms, procedures, and rental market trends.
Understanding of property maintenance and repair coordination.
Ability to prepare and analyze leasing reports and financial summaries.
Familiarity with marketing and advertising strategies for property leasing.
Proficiency in property management and real estate terminology.
Understanding of lease negotiation and lease termination processes.
Knowledge of credit screening and verification procedures.
Experience with lease renewals and rent collection procedures.
Familiarity with property inspection and move-in/move-out processes.
Proficient in using customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Understanding of lease documentation and compliance requirements.
Knowledge of property insurance and risk management principles.
Experience with online listing platforms and social media marketing for properties.
Familiarity with property market analysis and pricing strategies.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Leasing Consultant:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong customer service and relationship-building abilities.
Active listening and problem-solving skills.
Attention to detail and organizational abilities.
Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities.
Positive attitude and a customer-centric mindset.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Empathy and understanding of tenant needs and concerns.
Time management and ability to meet deadlines.

Conclusion

Leasing Consultants play a vital role in connecting property owners and managers with prospective tenants. By possessing a combination of hard and soft skills, they ensure the smooth and efficient leasing process while providing exceptional customer service. Their expertise contributes to successful occupancy rates, tenant satisfaction, and overall property performance.