Many strata properties experience a revolving door of new residents each year. There may be new lot owners or rental tenants moving in and out. It’s always nice to feel welcomed when moving to a new area, especially a strata environment that can be quite close-knit and connected. Here are some ideas for making new neighbours feel welcome without the awkwardness.
Write a welcome note
It’s a pretty simple gesture, but one that can mean a lot to new neighbours. Writing a short note and leaving it in their letterbox is a good way to make people feel welcome. Include a friendly greeting, something about yourself, and contact details so they can reach out if they have any questions or concerns. We’ll touch more on events later, but a short welcome letter is also a great chance to invite new neighbours to events or activities.
Invite them around for dinner
You may not choose to do this with every new neighbour, but if they’re going to be living in close proximity, it’s a great idea to start off on the right foot. If you’re a social type who enjoys entertaining, why not invite your new neighbours over for dinner or a drink? You don’t need to do anything fancy. It’s just a chance to say hello, get to know each other, and let new neighbours know there’s a friendly face around if they need help.
Hold a meet and greet event
A great way to get to know your neighbours is by hosting a meet and greet event. This could be anything from a BBQ to a dinner party or even a larger gathering in one of the common spaces. This is a good option if you have quite a few new neighbours, or if you’re not comfortable inviting strangers over for dinner.
You don’t need to organise this all by yourself either. You can ask the strata committee if they’d be willing to support a meet and greet event, and it could even turn into an annual or bi-annual event for newcomers to get to know everyone.
Invite new neighbours to join community activities
Another great way to get new neighbours involved and make them feel welcome is to include them in local events and activities. For example, does your strata building have a community garden? You can invite new residents to join in. If there are other activities happening in and around your building, make sure your new neighbours know they are welcome.
If you’re involved in other activities or local community events outside of the building, you can always invite new neighbours along to those too. Some people prefer to keep to themselves, and that’s ok, but at least you’ve made the effort to make them feel welcome.
Plus, it’s a great way to get to know people, and if your neighbours are also new to the local area, they may appreciate the chance to learn more about their new town.
Need help with strata management?
If you’re looking for assistance managing your strata scheme, look no further than More Than Strata. From financial management to handling owner and resident issues, we can take care of everything so you can focus on what matters most to you. With less admin, your committee can spend more time creating a welcoming, happy environment for everybody. Contact us today to find out more.
