Most platforms weren’t built for purpose-built rentals.
They were designed for resale units, one-off landlords, or post-stabilized buildings.
But when you’re leasing a new rental development from the ground up, you need more than listings and spreadsheets. You need speed, structure, and visibility from day one.
Here’s how serious developers approach lease-up and how to do it without breaking your team or your timeline.
Phase 1: Pre-Launch (While the Drywall’s Still Going Up)
What matters:
- Capturing qualified interest early
- Building hype without burning time
- Structuring your CRM and workflows before chaos hits
What to do:
- Launch a branded registration site with lead forms
- Add lead scoring (budget, unit type, move-in timing)
- Sync directly into your CRM or leasing dashboard
- Start segmenting and tagging future prospects
Why it matters:
The quality of your lease-up depends on how you handle your list. This is your pipeline. Treat it like one.
Phase 2: Launch + Lead Conversion (Pre-Lease to First Occupancy)
What matters:
- Converting warm leads fast
- Reducing back-and-forth
- Pre-qualifying without overloading your team
What to do:
- Send pre-leasing campaigns with CTA to apply
- Use pre-screening forms before full applications
- Offer virtual and in-person tours
- Start onboarding before the lease is signed
Why it matters:
You don’t have time for manual follow-up and missed emails. Lease-up momentum is won or lost in this stage.
Phase 3: Lease Execution and Rent Readiness
What matters:
- Moving from signed lease to move-in smoothly
- Getting tenants set up with rent, communication, and portals
What to do:
- Automate lease execution and digital signing
- Trigger onboarding emails with portal access
- Set up rent collection preferences early (ACH, autopay, etc.)
- Assign units and tag by rent-readiness status
Why it matters:
Delays in this stage slow your cash flow and frustrate tenants. A good first experience sets the tone for retention.
Phase 4: Stabilization and Renewals
What matters:
- Retention
- Reporting
- Operational handoff from marketing to management
What to do:
- Set lease renewal alerts 90+ days before expiry
- Run monthly performance reports (occupancy, arrears, turnover risk)
- Implement a standardized maintenance and communication system
- Track turnover costs and adjust incentives accordingly
Why it matters:
Stabilization isn’t just about hitting 95% leased. It’s about building an operating rhythm you can scale.
Let’s Be Real
You can’t afford to stitch together 5 tools during a lease-up.
If you want to move fast, stay organized, and build a better tenant experience from day one, you need a platform built for this moment.
That’s what Rentatee was built for.
