Smart-home solutions are the latest must-have for renters. According to a new survey from Rently, 58% of renters said they would give up traditional apartment amenities such as pools and gyms in exchange for smart-home features, especially if they save them money.
Rently, a proptech solution that offers leasing automation services and smart-home solutions for single-family and multifamily owners and operators, partnered with Pollfish, a third-party platform, to survey 500 U.S. renters for its Smart Apartment Trends Report.
“We’re witnessing a real shift in what renters consider essential,” said CEO Merrick Lackner. “The future of apartment living is intelligent, connected, and renter-focused. Today’s renters are ready to pay for technology that makes life simpler and safer. Communities that lead on smart innovation won’t just attract tenants—they’ll define the next era of the rental experience.”
Key findings from the survey include:
- 65% of renters said smart-home technology makes apartments more appealing, with 31% prioritizing these features over units without them. Only 15% noted that smart technology doesn’t impact an apartment community’s appeal;
- Over half of renters, 54%, said they expect modern apartment communities to include smart locks, smart thermostats, and security cameras. In addition, 48% of the respondents said they expect smart intercoms or doorbells; 45%, smart lighting; and 39%, smart appliances;
- 41% of renters cited feeling safer at home as the No. 1 reason for wanting smart tech compared with 18% who said energy savings and 11% who said convenience;
- 65% of renters said they are willing to pay more in monthly rent for smart-home features, while 52% reported they would pay over $20 more per month and 7% said they would pay over $81 more per month; and
- Over three-quarters of renters, 77%, said they would consider signing a longer-term lease of two or more years if smart security and energy-saving devices were included.
The survey also noted that concerns remain around privacy and reliability among the renter respondents. According to the survey, 35% of renters said they worry about being monitored without consent. Nearly two-thirds, 32%, said they fear potential malfunctions in smart locks, and 31% had anxiety over the technology failing during an emergency.
