by Suchi Rudra
What transforms an apartment building unit into a place that a renter can truly call home? Mostly, it's comfort and convenience. Increasingly, multifamily housing developers find that the integration of smart home technology plays a big part in creating that cozy and customizable feeling of home that all renters seek. Supporting and maintaining this technology comes with challenges, but property management companies (PMCs) are finding ways to adapt as resident expectations continue to evolve. Below are three trends that will dominate the multifamily tech space in 2026:
1) Evolving resident expectations
As smart home technology becomes increasingly advanced and easier to implement in the multifamily environment, renters are getting accustomed to having it tightly integrated into their living spaces. And, increasingly, these systems are being enhanced by AI-powered features that both anticipate residents’ preferences and streamline everyday tasks. Whether these features are presented as luxury amenities or core offerings, residents have come to rely on the convenience of smart home gadgets like video doorbells, smart locks, and leak detectors.
Residents are also “all in” for technology that can save them money. Rising utility bills—as well as a dose of climate anxiety—have driven more renters to expect units to come equipped with features such as energy efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and an online platform to track energy consumption.
Another important factor behind this push toward resident-centric smart technology is the integration between smart home systems and residents’ mobile apps, so that every aspect of the unit can be easily customizable and controlled from a mobile device. This includes lighting, temperature, energy efficiency, and security.
And this isn't a shift limited just to young, tech-savvy renters. It is a widespread trend that cuts across demographics, showing that most renters now expect the convenience, security and energy savings that AI-powered technology can offer. For developers, upgrading to smart home technology is a necessary and strategic move to stay competitive.
2) Rising tech adoption brings attention to privacy
AI-powered access control systems are gaining popularity in multi-family buildings. Smart-lock adoption more than doubled from seven percent in 2022 to 16 percent in 2024, according to one survey. Some buildings are already taking the next step by installing a comprehensive smart security eco-system that brings together AI-powered surveillance, facial recognition and biometric access. But introducing more tech upgrades into residents' homes also has the potential to increase the vulnerability of resident data—and the potential for cyber criminals to access it. This has led to a growing focus on data privacy best practices, and the data protection procedures property managers have in place.
With the rise of AI-enabled platforms, residents want to know what personal data is being collected, who can access it, and how it’s being stored. When communicating with residents about data privacy, Joe Settimi, Senior Vice President of Assurant Renters Solutions, says it's important to be transparent and have clear policies.
“Talk about the smart tech upfront. Explain which devices are installed, what data is being collected, how that data is being used and who has access to it. Provide plenty of education for the resident from the start, whether that’s through emails or in-app notifications,” says Settimi.
3) Navigating growing complexity
As smart tech systems become more common in multi-family buildings, PMCs are also discovering new maintenance challenges. Though innovative tools and systems can help property managers optimize operations and boost resident satisfaction, they also require staff training and an understanding of how to troubleshoot issues that may arise.
"Property managers are realizing that while smart devices attract residents, they also add a layer of complexity. Maintenance staff can feel strained if they’re not set up to handle tech issues and are already busy with their other daily responsibilities. So PMCs are exploring ways to handle tech support more effectively, while remaining mindful of their already constrained operational budgets,” says Settimi.
Technology benefits residents most when it is supported with ongoing care, including regular updates, remote diagnostics, and when needed, in-person fixes. Without this support, convenience can turn into frustration. A service like Assurant's TechPro can help PMCs proactively address the challenges and technical hurdles that can naturally arise with the implementation of new technology. Beyond troubleshooting, TechPro provides 24/7 tech support service for residents and includes regular security updates and system maintenance.
“As smart tech becomes a core part of residents’ lives, property managers need to have a clear plan for device management, security, and ongoing support. That’s where outsourcing tech support to partners like Assurant comes in. Offering residents a service like Tech Pro takes the burden off property managers and ensures residents get the help they need, when they need it," says Settimi.