A harmonious coliving environment is essential for running a successful and profitable PadSplit property. When members feel respected, secure, and valued, they tend to stay longer, reducing turnover and referring like-minded individuals who already understand the home’s culture and expectations. Referrals can significantly lower member acquisition costs by bringing in reliable members, minimizing vacancy periods, and reducing conflicts.
However, creating this positive environment requires more than simply listing rooms and collecting rent. It involves proactive member management, clear communication of expectations, and treating your PadSplit like a hospitality business—not passive income. Here’s how one Atlanta host fosters harmony while maximizing profitability, inspired by strategies from successful PadSplit host Quentin Wendt.
Treat your coliving property like a business, not a passive investment
Many new hosts enter coliving expecting passive cash flow, but PadSplit properties thrive exponentially when approached as a hospitality-driven business. This mindset has helped Quentin build long-term revenue stability while creating a positive environment where members feel valued and respected.
“I treat my PadSplit properties like a hospitality business, where empathy and a servant’s heart guide my approach. Members are my clients, and they have choices,” explains Quentin.
Running your property as a professional business means delivering consistent service, structuring operations for long-term efficiency, and balancing positive member experiences with clearly communicated boundaries. If you’re unable to manage this level of involvement personally, hiring a talented property manager or assistant can help maintain high standards while you focus on scaling your portfolio.
Set expectations clearly from the start
Setting expectations early and reinforcing them consistently helps prevent misunderstandings and promotes long-term harmony. Quentin emphasized the importance of clarity, explaining, “I set very clear expectations of what is required from the member—starting with the listing, the screening call, and reinforced through house meetings.”
You may consider adding these steps to your onboarding process to ensure expectations are clearly communicated:
- Optional screening call: While not a standard part of the PadSplit member approval process, some hosts choose to add a screening call for additional evaluation. This conversation allows you to clarify house rules, discuss shared responsibilities, and introduce tools like the PadSplit Messenger App and Chore Tracker. It’s also an opportunity to understand why the member wants to live in the home and assess whether they would be a positive fit for the existing household dynamic.
- The move-in process: Move-in day sets the tone for a member’s experience. Ensure the private room and shared spaces are clean, match the expectations outlined in the room description, and are fully stocked with essentials like paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap. Confirm the member has secure access to the home and encourage current members to offer a warm welcome. A brief walkthrough of shared spaces and a review of house rules and cleaning expectations help reinforce expectations and standards from the beginning.
- The three-day check-in: Following up within a few days of move-in provides a chance to ensure the member is settling in well, answer any questions, and reinforce house expectations around shared spaces and the use of tools like the Chore Tracker and Messenger App. Quentin also utilizes this follow-up conversation to encourage a Member Survey, capturing the positive move-in experience, which he leverages for future marketing of the house.
A well-defined and standardized onboarding process not only helps build trust but also reduces the risk of early conflicts while setting the stage for a positive, long-term relationship with members.
Leverage PadSplit tools to simplify management and build accountability
PadSplit offers several tools designed to simplify coliving management while promoting collaboration and accountability among members. When properly introduced, these tools can help hosts create structure and reduce direct involvement in day-to-day operations.
- Messenger App: Enables direct communication with individual members or the entire household for updates, announcements, and reminders.
- Chore Tracker: Helps manage shared responsibilities by encouraging members to share household tasks fairly and keeping common areas clean and organized.
- Stay Rewards: Stay Rewards offer members the ability to unlock benefits for positive behavior, such as making on-time payments and maintaining good conduct. Rewards can include discounts on membership fees and access to exclusive offers, encouraging members to stay longer and uphold community standards.
- Host Promo Codes and Referral Program: Hosts can choose between offering Host Promo Codes or the $250 Member Referral Program, but they cannot be combined. The $250 Member Referral Program allows members to refer friends and earn a $250 gift card when the referral successfully moves in. Meanwhile, Host Promo Codes help hosts fill vacancies faster by waiving the standard booking fee. Hosts must decide which option best fits their goals.
Quentin recommends introducing these tools early during the onboarding process so members clearly understand how to use them and feel engaged in maintaining their respectful, positive home.
Empower members to take ownership of their space
Empowering members to take responsibility for their shared living space reduces conflicts and minimizes the need for host intervention. When members feel involved in decision-making and household management, they are more likely to self-manage conflicts and contribute positively to the living environment.
Quentin describes his approach, stating, “I empower members to make suggestions and work with each other to resolve issues collaboratively. It’s about giving them the tools and trust to maintain their shared space.”
Ways to encourage shared responsibility include:
- Promoting peer accountability: Encourage members to address minor concerns directly with each other before involving the host.
- Involving members in new member selection: Some hosts allow members to provide feedback on potential housemates to promote a positive cultural fit.
- Holding recurring house meetings: Providing a space for members to share feedback and discuss house dynamics can help strengthen relationships while keeping minor conflicts from escalating.
Empowering members to take ownership fosters a cooperative atmosphere, reduces conflicts, and encourages longer tenures.
Build community through shared experiences
Fostering a sense of community within your PadSplit can significantly reduce turnover and encourage positive relationships among members. When people feel connected to their housemates, they’re more likely to stay longer and less likely to engage in conflicts.
Quentin shared a memorable experience where his members planned a Thanksgiving dinner, and he chose to sponsor the cost of the ingredients. This shared experience not only strengthened the relationships among existing members but also led to two referrals—guests who attended the dinner later moved into the home as PadSplit members. These members also celebrated Christmas dinner together and included a White Elephant gift exchange.
Creating inviting shared spaces can also play a major role in encouraging community building. Quentin furnished his common areas with a large, comfortable couch, a dining table with ample seating, and a TV for shared activities. Comfortable and functional common spaces naturally encourage members to spend time together, strengthening the sense of community.
Harmony fuels long-term success
Creating a harmonious coliving environment isn’t just about reducing conflicts—it’s a strategic co-living business approach that drives long-term success. When hosts treat their PadSplit properties like professional hospitality businesses, set clear expectations from the start, and empower members to take ownership of their space, they create positive environments where everyone benefits.
Quentin’s experience proves that prioritizing harmony results in fewer conflicts, longer member tenures, stronger referrals, and increased profitability. Prioritizing the member experience benefits everyone—your members, your reputation, and your bottom line.
