What Renters Really Want in 2025
Today's renters are looking for more than just a place to live—they want to live in an area that’s safe, quiet and friendly , somewhere that’s close to stores and restaurants as well as transportation and work—essentially, a place that fits their lifestyle. And they expect high-tech conveniences and community-focused features and amenities that multi-family and single-family rental properties must deliver to stay competitive.
While preferences obviously vary among individuals, rental market research shows a few common trends among multifamily and single-family renters.
Sustainable practices
Today’s renters are looking to the future and expecting to find it in their living spaces and communities. Two-thirds of renters in a recent study named sustainability as an important consideration in choosing their apartment, and 40% said they wouldn’t live in a property without green practices. Property owners and operators who upgrade to features like lighting with sensors and install low-flow plumbing fixtures or solar panels can gain a competitive edge.
Renters are also looking for green options when it comes to transportation. In a recent renter survey, 12% of respondents report that they plan to purchase an electric vehicle and 35% are thinking about it, but 34% said their communities don’t have chargers, reflecting a growing need for this amenity.
Residents, especially those in apartment complexes where they don’t have curbside service, desire a well-run recycling program. To establish effective recycling programs, make recycling convenient, educate residents, and consider a single-stream sorting approach, while also ensuring proper signage and consistent collection. Not only is this an environmentally sound program, but it may also result in cost savings from reduced waste disposal costs.
Internet and workspaces
Just over half (52%) of renters in a recent survey reported that they work remotely, showing that work from home is here to stay, and amenities need to reflect this. Forty-eight percent of respondents also reported an interest in shared workspaces.
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High-Demand Amenities |
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Renters expect certain common features and amenities—like air conditioning, a dishwasher, and a washer and dryer. Here are a few other amenities that ranked highly among renters in a recent survey.
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Given this trend, it’s not surprising that renters also expect speedy internet access: 86% said high-speed internet was either very important or essential to them, and property owners/operators must be able to deliver it.
They want their communication with their landlord to be tech-supported as well: More than half of respondents said they preferred to pay rent online and communicate with their landlord digitally.
Smart tech
Smart home devices and systems (including lighting, security, HVAC and irrigation) can elevate an SFR or MFR property and offer convenience and cost savings, and renters want them as much as homeowners. In a recent survey, 70% named smart thermostats as their most preferred smart feature, saying they are interested or wouldn’t rent without it.
Convenience and flexibility
Like everyone else, renters naturally want features and amenities that make their lives easier. In a recent survey, nearly two-thirds said flex space that allowed them to customize their living space to suit their specific needs was either important or extremely important. They want services like package delivery to be streamlined as well. As more consumers have relied on home package deliveries since the pandemic, having self-service options like lockers or a secure package room are favored options among many renters.
Pet-friendly options
The ability to have a pet and have outdoor spaces for them matters to renters, and one-third of respondents in a recent survey indicated they have a pet. The preference is higher among SFR renters than MFR renters.
Understanding renter preferences like these can help owners/operators more effectively align their offerings to deliver features and amenities that meet and exceed their expectations. By working with a property services partner like MCS, owners/operators can remodel residences to be more flexible, add smart tech or upgrade to more sustainable fixtures.
Keep your renters happy with help from MCS
Renters highly value (and expect) efficiency and responsiveness. If you need a trusted services partner to help drive tenant retention for your properties, consider MCS. We can help with everything from preventive maintenance and renovations to tenant turns. Contact Jason Myers or Houston Holloway at MCS today to learn more.
