FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About ORA®

ORA® helps renters understand what it is actually like to live at an apartment community, based on real renter feedback. This page answers the most common questions about ORA®, The ORA® Score, strengths and opportunities, and how to use ORA® during an apartment rental decision. Reviews are the raw input. ORA® is the standardized monthly interpretation.

How ORA® Works
What is ORA<sup>®</sup>?
ORA® is a standardized resident experience score that summarizes real renter feedback into a single monthly score for apartment communities across the United States.
How does ORA<sup>®</sup> collect data?
ORA® aggregates renter reviews from multiple public review sources and applies a standardized methodology to generate a monthly ORA® Score for each apartment community.
Is ORA<sup>®</sup> free to use?
Yes. ORA® Scores and resident experience insights are available to renters at no cost.
The ORA® Score
What does the ORA<sup>®</sup> Score measure?
The ORA® Score is a 0–100 rating that reflects the overall resident experience at an apartment community based on renter feedback patterns.
How often are ORA<sup>®</sup> Scores updated?
ORA® Scores are updated monthly. Each score reflects the most recent evaluation period.
What is considered a good ORA<sup>®</sup> Score?
A strong ORA® Score is one that exceeds the National Average ORA® Score for the same month and year. Always compare scores from the same time period.
Strengths And Opportunities
What are strengths and opportunities?
Strengths highlight categories where a community performs well relative to the national average. Opportunities identify categories where renter feedback suggests room for improvement.
How are strengths and opportunities determined?
They are calculated by comparing a community's category-level performance against the national average across all evaluated apartment communities.
Using ORA® When Comparing Apartment Communities
How should I use ORA<sup>®</sup> when apartment hunting?
Use ORA® Scores to compare the resident experience across communities you are considering. Review strengths and opportunities to understand specific experience patterns before scheduling visits.
Should I rely only on the ORA<sup>®</sup> Score?
ORA® is one input in your decision. We recommend also reviewing strengths and opportunities, conducting your own visit, and verifying details that matter most to you.
Methodology And Transparency
How is the ORA<sup>®</sup> Score calculated?
ORA® uses a standardized methodology that evaluates renter feedback across multiple categories to produce a single 0–100 score each month.
Can landlords manipulate their ORA<sup>®</sup> Scores?
No. ORA® Scores are calculated independently using a standardized methodology. Property managers and landlords cannot pay to influence their score.
Updates And Timing
How often are scores updated?
ORA® Scores are updated monthly.
Why might a score change from month to month?
ORA® Scores reflect the most recent evaluation of renter feedback patterns. As new reviews are published and older feedback ages, the score adjusts to reflect the current resident experience.
The National Average ORA® Score
What is the National Average ORA<sup>®</sup> Score?
The National Average ORA® Score provides benchmark context for a specific month and year. It represents the average score across all evaluated apartment communities.
Why should I compare scores from the same month?
Because ORA® Scores update monthly, comparing scores from different time periods can be misleading. Always compare ORA® Scores from the same month and year for an accurate comparison.
Independence And Bias
Are ORA<sup>®</sup> rankings paid placements?
No. ORA® rankings are not influenced by payment or marketing participation.
Does ORA<sup>®</sup> work with landlords or property managers?
ORA® evaluates apartment communities independently. Scores and rankings are not influenced by property managers or landlords.
Scope And Coverage
Does ORA<sup>®</sup> cover every apartment community?
ORA® evaluates apartment communities where sufficient renter feedback exists to generate a reliable ORA® Score.
Does ORA<sup>®</sup> evaluate single-family rental homes?
ORA® currently focuses on apartment communities. Single-family rental homes are not included in the ORA® evaluation.
What if my building doesn't have a score yet?
Not all apartment communities have sufficient renter feedback to generate an ORA® Score. As more reviews become available, additional communities may be added.
How do I report incorrect information?
If you believe information about a community is incorrect, please contact our support team. We review all reports and update information as needed.
Rankings And Awards
What are ORA<sup>®</sup> Power Rankings?
ORA® Power Rankings recognize apartment communities that achieved the highest ORA® Scores during a specific month and year.
Do rankings reflect current performance?
Rankings reference ORA® Scores during a specific month or year. Because scores update monthly, a community's current score may differ from the ranking period.
Can a community improve after a ranking period?
Yes. ORA® Scores update monthly. A community not included in a past ranking may appear in future lists as its resident experience patterns evolve.

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