Building a Strong Community in Playa Vista: Social Events and Amenities for Rental Properties

At Fostr Property Management, we love working with investors who see their role as being something more than simply leasing homes, maintaining buildings, and collecting rent. We appreciate working with owners who want to improve communities. Creating a place where tenants feel at home and part of a vibrant community is an important part of being a socially responsible property owner and business leader. 

In Playa Vista, which on its own is a thriving residential neighborhood in Los Angeles, landlords and rental property owners have a unique opportunity to enhance their property value and increase tenant satisfaction through thoughtful amenities and social events. 

We’re imagining what those might be today, and here’s how you can build a strong community in your Playa Vista rental properties.

Social Events and Establishing a Sense of Community 

Communities create a sense of belonging among residents, which can lead to longer tenancy and increased value for rental properties. Tenants are more likely to stay in a place where they feel connected to their neighbors and valued by their landlords. This connection can be cultivated through engaging in social events that speak to who they are and how they live. 

Here are some of the things that can help you establish a sense of community through social events with your tenants:

1. Meet-and-Greet Mixers

Inspire community building with monthly meet-and-greet mixers. These casual events allow new and existing residents to mingle, share interests, and create connections within a relaxed environment.

2. Seasonal Festivals

Celebrate the seasons with themed events. A summer barbecue, autumn harvest festival, or winter holiday party can bring residents together for fun and festivities, strengthening community ties.

3. Workshop and Classes

Offer workshops or classes that cater to your residents’ interests—be it gardening, art, or technology. These events provide learning opportunities and encourage residents to develop new skills while connecting with like-minded individuals.

4. Outdoor Movie Nights

Utilize outdoor spaces for community movie nights. Project classic films or recent blockbusters onto a big screen, providing blankets and snacks to enhance the experience. It’s a great way to bring residents together under the stars.

An inclusive community is a strong community. Ensure your events and amenities cater to a diverse resident base, considering different ages, cultures, and interests. Listen to feedback from your tenants to continually improve and adapt your offerings to meet their needs better.

Amenities Attracting Playa Vista Tenants 

What kind of amenities make a big difference for rental properties in Playa Vista? If we’re talking about an apartment building or a multi-family rental, some of the most popular amenities might include a clubhouse or other community space. Residents will appreciate a fitness center or an exercise room. Co-working spaces and pet-friendly features are a big deal and great ways to incorporate tenant-friendly features into your investment property. 

Two things are really speaking to modern tenants, however, and those are sustainable amenities and smart home tech. 

• Eco-Friendly Rental Homes and Green Living Features are in High Demand

Providing some amenities that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability is an excellent way to appeal to tenants, create a sense of community and awareness, and increase what you earn in rent and in the long term. Some of the most creative and cost-effective amenities you might provide include:

• LED light bulbs. Keep those electricity bills down (good for tenants) and avoid having to replace light bulbs over and over again.

• Improved insulation. Keep a tenant’s living environment comfortable. Check windows and doors and make sure that warm air isn’t escaping in the winter and cool air isn’t escaping in the summer. This will also make your HVAC system more efficient.

• Energy-efficient appliances. Consider replacing aging and inefficient dishwashers, refrigerators, and other appliances. Choose sustainable and efficient appliances that have the ENERGY STAR rating. These appliances are celebrated for using less water, heat, and other resources. They’ll keep utility bills lower and likely operate in a way that’s less noisy and intrusive. 

• Low-flow plumbing fixtures. No one knows when the next drought will hit our part of California, so take pre-emptive measures to conserve water. Choose shower heads, toilets, and even irrigation systems that require fewer resources and reduce water bills. Tenants will appreciate the attention to their costs and the ongoing concerns over drought and water supply. Property owners eager to invest in an environmentally friendly amenity and willing to be extra-modern in the amenities that are provided might want to invest in a tankless water heater. These are a great benefit to properties and tenants.

When you market your property as friendly to the environment and lean towards sustainable features and amenities, you’ll find it gets the attention of good tenants. 

• Smart Home Tech

Offering smart technology amenities can significantly enhance the appeal of your properties and also demonstrate that you understand where tenant demands are. These amenities are growing more important to tenants, especially as they continue to work remotely. Integrating smart home features and amenities not only provides you with potentially higher rent but also can lead to increased tenant satisfaction and retention. Here are smart technology enhancements that are not only practical but can also provide a good return on investment:

• Smart Thermostats and Locks

A smart thermostat provides tenants with enhanced climate control, energy efficiency, and the convenience of adjusting settings remotely. Tenants appreciate the ability to fine-tune their living environment, while landlords benefit from potential energy savings during vacancies.

Keyless entry systems provide a level of convenience and security that traditional locks cannot match. There’s no panic over tenants losing their keys. And, with smart locks, you can easily manage access for maintenance without the need to change the locks with every tenant turnover.

• Smart Lighting

Smart lighting systems are not just about turning lights on and off remotely. They enable tenants to create customizable lighting scenarios, potentially lower electricity bills, and provide an added layer of security with intuitive scheduling features that mimic occupancy.

• Video Doorbells and Extra Security

Tenants want features and amenities that make them feel secure. Smart security cameras are also becoming more common, but you want to avoid concerns around tenant privacy. Instead, offer video doorbells. This allows tenants to see who is at the door before they answer it. Such technology also makes it easier for them to track package drop-offs and deliveries. 

Have you considered offering high-speed internet as an amenity included in the rent? Today, internet services are less of a luxury and more of a necessity. Providing tenants with pre-installed Wi-Fi as an amenity can be a significant selling point, particularly for those working from home or streaming media. This is something to consider when you want to stand out to great tenants; one less service that they need to schedule can be a big deal to tenants while they’re juggling all the requirements of moving.

Smart home amenities are perceived by many tenants as premium upgrades. They can justify a higher rent and attract tenants willing to pay for convenience and modernity.

Engage with the Playa Vista Community

Being a great investor and property owner starts with your own rental units and quickly extends out to the larger area. Being an active member of the larger Playa Vista community can provide numerous benefits for rental property owners. There are a few good ways to get involved, such as creating local partnerships. Reach out to local businesses and organizations and ask if they’d be willing to offer exclusive discounts or services to your tenants. This not only supports the local economy but also adds value for your residents. Get to know the local cleaners, landscaping companies, and snow removal specialists. You want to work together to make Playa Vista not only a nice place to live but the best place to live.

As a local rental property owner, it’s a good idea to participate in community events. When you’re an active member of the things that happen around town, you develop a bit of a recognizable brand. That’s good news for you and your properties. Sponsor or participate in local events and initiatives. This can enhance your reputation and visibility within the community. It also serves the current residents you rent homes to and even potential tenants that you hope to attract one day.

Join neighborhood associations. Whether it’s a formal HOA or a loosely held community of neighbors, get to know these groups. Join them. When you participate in neighborhood associations, you can do a better job of staying informed about local issues and contributing to community development efforts.

Building a strong community within your Playa Vista rental properties is key to enhancing tenant satisfaction and property value. By offering desirable amenities and organizing engaging social events, you can create a welcoming environment that attracts and retains residents. For landlords and property owners, investing in community-building efforts is not just beneficial for tenants—it’s a smart business move that pays dividends in the long run.

We can help you with all of this and more. Please contact us at Fostr Property Management. We serve owners and their properties in communities such as Playa Vista, Westchester, Playa Del Rey, and surrounding areas.