Cultural beliefs significantly influence property rental practices, leading to varied preferences among multicultural renters. These preferences may include specific unit orientations, avoidance of certain numbers, and appliance requests, all rooted in cultural backgrounds. To accommodate these differences effectively, property managers should inquire about special needs, provide clear information without breaching privacy laws, and use straightforward language during communication.

1. How Cultural Beliefs Affect
Property Rental

2. Just as business practices
differ around the globe, so do
property rental procedures.

3. Residents from other countries may
not be familiar with the accepted
practices and procedures in the
United States.

4. People will behave based on their native cultural
backgrounds and preferences, just as you
would. These culturally based behaviors can
have in impact on your leasing workplace.

5. Multicultural renters might
want apartments oriented
in a specific direction

6. People from
certain
cultures may
desire only
specific
numbered
units and
certain floors

7. They may not
want to have a
stairway in
front of the
door

8. Renters may ask about an alternate
appliance orientation, or request
a gas stove.

9. They may
wish to live
near other
families from
the same
culture.

10. Renters who make these
sorts of requests are not
doing so to be difficult:
Desires and beliefs like
these are deeply rooted in
their cultural background.

11. For example, in China the number four
is considered unlucky because when
spoken, it sounds similar to the
word for death. Hence, Chinese
renters won’t want a unit that includes
the number four.

12. If you think that’s odd,
consider our own superstitions
here in the United States:
Most buildings
don’t have a 13th
floor.

13. Accommodating
cultural differences
does not have to
consume a great
deal of time as
long as you
are prepared.

14. Before showing units to any potential
renters, it’s a good idea (and prudent legal
practice) to ask if they have any special
needs or requirements.
By asking everyone, you will not stumble
into issues of stereotyping or run afoul of the
Fair Housing Act.

15. Whenever possible, show the exact
apartment available or one just like
it.

16. Have floor plans of the apartment available, with
the geographic orientation marked on it.
Here’s the
perfect time to
make use of
the compass
app on your
smartphone!

17. If renters inquire about where other
families of their culture live, explain
that the law prevents you from
disclosing information about other
residents.

18. Review all policies and leasing
procedures in detail, pointing out due
dates for rent, late fee deadlines, and
other points that
we may take for granted.

19. Explain the importance and finality of
signing the lease document.

20. Be mindful of the
language you use in
communicating with
multicultural renters.
Compound words and
idioms that we use
every day can be
challenging for non-
native English
speakers.

21. Image Credits
Slide 2 -- Image courtesy of Supertrooper / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 3 -- - Image courtesy of Jeroen van Oostrom / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 4 -- Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 5 -- Image courtesy of voraorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 6 -- Image courtesy of Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 7 -- Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 8 -- Image courtesy of graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 9 -- Image courtesy of arztsamui / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 10 -- Image courtesy of pakorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 11 -- Image courtesy of satit_srihin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 12 – Image Courtesy of Amber Dawn Pullin/Canada/ Wikimedia
Slide 13 -- Image courtesy of ArtJSan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 15 -- Image courtesy of artur84 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 16 -- Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 17 -- Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 18 --- Image courtesy of Keerati / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 19 -- Image courtesy of Jeroen van Oostrom / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Slide 20 -- Image courtesy of pakorn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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