Remote work is not only here to stay but is shaping the modern renter’s wants and needs while influencing design decisions and building plans across the industry.
New data from the 2022 National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)/Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report, which features insights from more than 221,000 renters living in 4,564 communities across the U.S., shows that a rise in remote work was a driving force among renters who relocated during the pandemic. Of the 60 percent of survey respondents who moved during the past 18 months, 25 percent moved as a result of the shift to remote work.
Like many, renters are teleworking with higher frequency than ever before. Nationally, the share of respondents who are teleworking daily is roughly five times higher than it was two years ago. And many aren’t counting on that changing. Of those who currently telework (with any frequency), 64 percent anticipate working from home about the same amount over the next 12 months and 9 percent anticipate working from home more. In contrast, 27 percent said they anticipate working from home less over the coming year.
Curb-to-couch connectivity in multifamily housing
Renters have long demanded seamless connectivity, from curb to couch and everywhere in between, but this need has become critical as telecom and internet technology have become a lifeline to their livelihoods.
Respondents ranked reliable cell phone service as the No. 1 community amenity, with 86 percent of survey respondents indicating interest. Renters are even more serious about their internet connectivity in their units, with nine out of 10 respondents saying they were interested in or wouldn’t rent their home without it. An environment conducive to work also needs to be quiet and private, leading to strong interest in soundproof walls with 90 percent of renter respondents saying they are interested or won’t rent without this amenity.
As such, some communities are opting to offer high-speed, community-wide Wi-Fi as part of the properties’ amenity package. For example, AvalonBay Communities’ Kanso Twinbrook, in Rockville, Md., partners with WhiteSky to offer seamless, secure and instant high-speed Wi-Fi internet connectivity throughout the entire community. Residents can move in and log on—no equipment or installation appointments required.
![AMLI 808 in Chicago offers downtown living with a plethora of work-from-home amenities, including an on-site podcast studio and a DIY studio for makers and builders.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/AMLI808DIYStudio.jpg)
Home offices and shared meeting spaces have also become in-demand features. While 19 percent of renter respondents said they would consider using a co-working facility when teleworking, such as WeWork or SPACES, a greater share of respondents (35 percent) indicated interest in using a shared workspace at their communities.
Not only are these amenities sought after, but renters are willing to pay an additional monthly premium for them. Of those interested, the average survey respondent is willing to pay $47.93 more per month for high-speed internet, $42.78 for reliable cell phone service, and $46.21 for soundproof walls. And for a convenient onsite alternative to work from home, interested renters are willing to shell out $36.60 more on average for an on-site rentable co-working space.
Recognizing this, some developers are making significant investments in their co-working amenities by repositioning common areas as co-working space, adding charging and print stations and even introducing more specialized equipment. For example, AMLI 808 in Chicago offers downtown living with a plethora of work-from-home amenities, including an on-site podcast studio and a DIY studio for makers and builders.
Flexibility becomes a key feature in apartment design
With the lines blurred between work and home, renters are increasingly looking for flexibility in their homes to accommodate these shifting needs. Versatility rules as nearly two-thirds of survey respondents said that flexible space in their homes was either important or extremely important. Adaptable floorplans that can adjust to a variety of needs and options for furnished or unfurnished units are among the features these live-work-play from home renters desire.
As an example, AMLI 808 also features Ori studio suites. Choreographing movement into apartment homes, this modular furniture system creates a private bedroom, an open living room, work from home space, storage and more—all at the touch of a button.
![AMLI808OriStudiogif.gif](/sites/default/files/inline-images/AMLI808OriStudiogif.gif)
However, flex living isn't limited to just physical space. As remote work gives more renters the freedom to move about, they are considering alternatives to the traditional leasing model. For example, 56 percent of those who moved because of a switch to remote work said they would consider joining a rental housing membership program similar to a vacation club. That same group also indicated more interest than their non-mover counterparts in having the ability to list their rental homes on short-term rental sites like Airbnb or VRBO.
The pandemic has certainly changed the way we work; owners, developers and architects who recognize this new paradigm and respond with creative solutions will keep renters satisfied and the industry moving forward.
About the survey: Since its inception in 2013, the NMHC/Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report has been the authoritative data source for apartment owners, managers, developers, industry suppliers, as well as architects, financial institutions and others seeking insights into the minds of renters. This biennial survey of residents at institutional-grade properties provides users with reliable data to make a variety of investment, development and operational decisions. Survey partners featured NMHC 50 companies including Greystar, AMLI Residential, and Windsor Communities.
Related Stories
MFPRO+ News | Jun 20, 2024
National multifamily outlook: Summer 2024
The multifamily sector continues to be strong in 2024, even when a handful of challenges are present. That is according to the Matrix Multifamily National Report for Summer 2024.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 17, 2024
Elevating multifamily properties through quiet luxury
As the demands of urban living continue to evolve, the need for a tranquil and refined home environment has never been more pronounced.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 14, 2024
AEC inspections are the key to financially viable office to residential adaptive reuse projects
About a year ago our industry was abuzz with an idea that seemed like a one-shot miracle cure for both the shockingly high rate of office vacancies and the worsening housing shortage. The seemingly simple idea of converting empty office buildings to multifamily residential seemed like an easy and elegant solution. However, in the intervening months we’ve seen only a handful of these conversions, despite near universal enthusiasm for the concept.
Adaptive Reuse | Jun 13, 2024
4 ways to transform old buildings into modern assets
As cities grow, their office inventories remain largely stagnant. Yet despite changes to the market—including the impact of hybrid work—opportunities still exist. Enter: “Midlife Metamorphosis.”
Affordable Housing | Jun 12, 2024
Studio Libeskind designs 190 affordable housing apartments for seniors
In Brooklyn, New York, the recently opened Atrium at Sumner offers 132,418 sf of affordable housing for seniors. The $132 million project includes 190 apartments—132 of them available to senior households earning below or at 50% of the area median income and 57 units available to formerly homeless seniors.
MFPRO+ News | Jun 11, 2024
Rents rise in multifamily housing for May 2024
Multifamily rents rose for the fourth month in a row, according to the May 2024 National Multifamily Report. Up 0.6% year-over-year, the average U.S. asking rent increased by $6 in May, up to $1,733.
Apartments | Jun 4, 2024
Apartment sizes on the rise after decade-long shrinking trend
The average size of new apartments in the U.S. saw substantial growth in 2023, bouncing back to 916 sf after a steep decline the previous year. That is according to a recent RentCafe market insight report released this month.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 3, 2024
Grassroots groups becoming a force in housing advocacy
A growing movement of grassroots organizing to support new housing construction is having an impact in city halls across the country. Fed up with high housing costs and the commonly hostile reception to new housing proposals, advocacy groups have sprung up in many communities to attend public meetings to speak in support of developments.
MFPRO+ News | Jun 3, 2024
New York’s office to residential conversion program draws interest from 64 owners
New York City’s Office Conversion Accelerator Program has been contacted by the owners of 64 commercial buildings interested in converting their properties to residential use.
MFPRO+ News | Jun 3, 2024
Seattle mayor wants to scale back energy code to spur more housing construction
Seattle’s mayor recently proposed that the city scale back a scheduled revamping of its building energy code to help boost housing production. The proposal would halt an update to the city’s multifamily and commercial building energy code that is scheduled to take effect later this year.