For most people, 1st July is simply the beginning of a new month. At Address Properties, it is one of the biggest and most important dates in our calendar.
It is the day when many of our tenants officially begin the next chapter of their lives in Liverpool. With appointments booked, properties prepared and keys ready to be handed over, our Mount Pleasant office becomes the centre of a very busy tenant move-in day.
A Little Help from the Weather
The final week of June brought some of the hottest weather we had seen all year, so we were preparing ourselves for a very warm key collection day. Thankfully, the cloud gods appeared to be on our side on 1 July, making the queues outside the office a little more manageable.
It was still warm, though, so we had ice creams and refreshments ready for tenants while they waited. Moving home can be exciting, but collecting keys, carrying boxes and organising everything that comes with a move can also be tiring. A cold treat felt like a small but welcome way to make the day a little easier.
Making Key Collection Run as Smoothly as Possible
Tenants had booked their key collection appointments in advance, helping our team manage the flow of people arriving at the Mount Pleasant office throughout the day.
For most tenants, the process ran smoothly. As is often the case on such a busy move-in day, a few unexpected issues did arise. However, our team worked together to resolve them and make sure tenants could collect their keys and begin settling into their new homes.
There is a great deal of preparation behind a successful key collection day. Long before 1 July arrives, our lettings, property management and maintenance teams are working to prepare properties, organise appointments, complete the necessary checks ahead of move in.
For our landlords, this is all part of the service we provide. We manage the move-in process, deal with any questions and help resolve issues so that the start of each tenancy is handled professionally.
A New Home Deserves a First Photo
This year, we also organised a photo booth at the office so tenants could capture the moment with their new housemates, friends or even on their own.
For some, it was their first time living away from home. For others, it was the beginning of another year in Liverpool or a move into a new property with friends. Whatever the story, we wanted tenants to have something to remember the start of their new chapter.
It also gave the day more of a celebratory feel. After all, collecting the keys to a new home should feel exciting, not simply like another appointment to attend.
Chaotic, but Fun
Whenever we asked members of the Address Properties team how the day was going, the answer was usually the same:
“Chaotic, but fun.”
That probably sums up 1 July perfectly.
It is a busy day, but it is also one of the few occasions when so many of our team members get to meet tenants face-to-face. Much of property management happens through phone calls, emails, maintenance requests and inspections, so key collection gives us an opportunity to welcome tenants personally and begin building a positive relationship from the very start of their tenancy.
For us, good property management in Liverpool is not only about looking after buildings. It is also about supporting the people who live in them and helping landlords provide a positive tenant experience.
The Moving-In Season Continues
Although 1 July is our largest key collection day, the moving-in season is far from over. More tenants will collect their keys and move into their Liverpool homes throughout August and September as the new university year approaches.
Our team will continue preparing properties, supporting tenants and managing each move-in on behalf of our landlords.
Every year, we look at what worked well, what we could improve and how we can make the next key collection day even better. Our aim is to make 1st July feel less like something to survive and more like a day worth celebrating for our tenants, our landlords and our team.
It may always be a little chaotic, but that is part of what makes it so memorable.
Until next year, 1 July.