The Top 20 Apartment Leasing Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

If you have an interview coming up for an apartment leasing consultant role, preparation is key. This position requires a unique blend of sales, marketing, customer service, and administrative skills. Going in armed with knowledge of common interview questions asked of leasing consultants can help you shine.

In this comprehensive guide, we share the 20 most frequently asked apartment leasing consultant interview questions along with sample answers to ace your next interview

1. What interested you in becoming an apartment leasing consultant?

This opening question allows you to share your motivations for pursuing this career path. Highlight your interest in sales, marketing, customer service, and the apartment housing industry. Emphasize your enthusiasm for the role and working with the company.

Sample Answer: “I’m drawn to the diversity of this role – from marketing apartments to connecting with prospective tenants to finalizing lease agreements. After getting my start in sales, I’m excited to now focus on apartment rentals. Your company manages such amazing properties, so I’m eager to join the team.”

2. How do you stay up-to-date on trends in the rental market?

This question evaluates your commitment to expanding your professional knowledge. Share how you proactively research industry news, rental rates, amenity offerings, and more.

Sample Answer “I regularly read publications like Multifamily Executive Magazine to learn about the latest trends in amenities and housing preferences I also leverage market research reports to better understand shifts in rental rates and occupancy across different units”

3. What techniques do you use for advertising vacancies?

This assesses your marketing savvy and creativity. Share diverse tactics you use like digital listings/ads, print ads in local papers, yard signs, open houses, social media, and outreach to referral partners.

Sample Answer: “I leverage a mix of digital listings and social media ads to promote vacancies online with great images, videos and highlighting amenities. I also host in-person open houses and utilize yard signs and local newspaper ads. Getting referrals from current happy residents is also hugely impactful.”

4. How would you respond if an angry prospective tenant complained about our prices?

This question tests your diplomacy and communication abilities. Emphasize listening to understand their perspective. Then highlight comparable value in the area and reinforce the quality and amenities included to overcome price objections.

Sample Answer: “I would listen closely to understand if there are specific concerns or misunderstandings about what is included in our pricing. Then I would patiently communicate the value proposition of our apartments compared to competitors, emphasizing the high-end finishes and amenities that make our pricing reasonable.”

5. Tell me about a time you successfully overcame an objection and made a lease deal.

Briefly summarize a scenario where you turned an objection into a closed deal. Share how you probed to understand concerns, emphasized matching value, and presented creative solutions to ultimately win the contract.

Sample Answer: “A prospective tenant was hesitant about our pet restrictions. By asking thoughtful questions, I learned they had two dogs. I presented our largest unit that provided ample outdoor space for their pets. I also shared that management could approve exceptions for well-trained animals. My flexible approach led the family to sign a 2 year lease.”

6. How do you go above and beyond for residents even after a lease is signed?

This demonstrates your commitment to nurturing ongoing tenant relationships beyond just closing the deal. Share tactical examples like proactively addressing maintenance issues, offering lease renewal incentives, sending thank you notes, organizing community events, etc.

Sample Answer: “From sending holiday cards to organizing movie nights by the pool, I look for small ways to continually engage residents. I also make it a point to meet each new tenant in-person with a welcome gift to start the relationship on a friendly note. Going the extra mile leads to renewals and referrals.”

7. How do you prioritize working with both prospective and current residents?

This evaluates your ability to balance prospecting new tenants and maintaining existing relationships. Highlight being organized, setting aside dedicated time for each, and leveraging CRM tools to stay on top of follow-ups.

Sample Answer: “I segment my week to dedicate specific days to outreach to potential residents and specific days for nurturing current residents. This helps me focus without either audience getting overlooked. I also leverage my CRM to track all touchpoints and ensure consistent follow-through.”

8. How would you calm an angry tenant demanding an immediate maintenance repair?

This tests your diplomacy and service recovery abilities. Emphasize empathy, active listening, apologizing, and immediately developing an action plan for next steps. Follow-up is also key.

Sample Answer: “First, I’d apologize sincerely and let the resident fully express their frustration. I’d ask questions to understand the issue and validate their concerns. Then I’d explain the steps I’m taking to request immediate maintenance assistance while setting expectations on timing. I’d follow-up frequently to update progress.”

9. You notice a minor issue in an apartment after a tenant moves out. Do you note it on the inspection report?

This assesses your judgment and integrity. While minor flaws should get noted, the emphasis should be on fairness and limiting fees. Avoiding nitpicking shows respect.

Sample Answer: “If it’s a trivial flaw like a small scuff on a wall, I would not formally note it on the report. My priority is being ethical and reasonable when evaluating damage, avoiding unfairly charging residents for normal wear and tear.”

10. A tenant says they need to break their lease early. How would you respond?

This tests your ability to balance empathy with policy. Validate the difficulty of their situation and explain the lease break process. Highlight any options like subletting and refer them to discuss directly with the property manager.

Sample Answer: “I completely understand extenuating circumstances come up. I would express my empathy but also need to be transparent about our policy. I would explain their options, like finding a subletter, and direct them to speak to our property manager who handles early lease terminations.”

11. How do you juggle managing inbound leads while also doing apartment showings?

This question evaluates your multitasking and time management skills. Highlight being organized, setting aside dedicated time for showings and using a CRM to track all inbound inquiries to promptly follow-up.

Sample Answer: “Organization is key for me. I block specific windows of time for apartment showings so I can fully dedicate my attention to incoming prospects during showings. In between, I focus on returning all calls and emails using my CRM system to track outreach.”

12. You’re staffing a busy open house. How would you engage with all the visitors?

This demonstrates your ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in a hectic environment. Share how you’d greet everyone, identify priority prospects through conversation, and balance answering questions for serious prospects while politely excusing yourself from unqualified visitors.

Sample Answer: “I start by welcoming everyone with a warm introduction. Through friendly interactions, I determine who the most promising prospects are and focus my energy there, while still ensuring everyone feels acknowledged. I politely excuse myself from conversations with unqualified visitors to prioritize serious prospects.”

13. How do you go about screening and qualifying inbound lease leads?

This evaluates your sales qualification skills. Share how you develop a discovery conversation using open-ended questions to identify needs and budget. Explain how you evaluate fitness based on factors like credit, income, rental history, pets, etc.

Sample Answer: “When leads come in, I have a friendly, conversational approach to qualifying. I don’t just rattle off screening questions. Instead, I probe their needs in a consultative way to understand their must-haves, budget and timeline organically. This helps me assess fit for our units and community.”

14. Describe your process for giving apartment tours to prospective residents.

This demonstrates your ability to showcase and upsell units and amenities. Share how you’d build rapport, ask questions to understand preferences, highlight attractve features, and customize your tour order based on their priorities.

Sample Answer: “I start tours by getting to know prospects and what they value most, whether it’s outdoor space, appliances or proximity to transportation. As I show the unit, I’ll highlight details that meet their needs first. I’ll also showcase our latest upgrades and amenities based on their interests to get them excited about our community.”

15. Tell me about a time you convinced a prospect to apply despite initial reservations.

Briefly summarize a scenario where you turned a hesitant prospect into an applicant. Share how you uncovered concerns, emphasized solutions, showcased value, and followed up to secure the application.

Sample Answer: “A young couple was concerned our community was outside their budget. I asked thoughtful questions to learn their income fears were unfounded. I showed cheaper units and emphasized utils included. I also highlighted our great amenities and community.