Resident Satisfaction Challenges Apartment Developers Face

Developing apartment buildings involves a balance between aesthetics, budget constraints, generating revenue and meeting the needs of renters. Industry forecasts show that renting is likely to remain more affordable than buying a home for some time, resulting in continued increased demand.

Many quality-of-life concerns are simply unavoidable when designing multifamily spaces. Lack of privacy, security, and extra on-site resident storage are unavoidable resident satisfaction challenges, and developers who prioritize mitigating the impact of these challenges will benefit from increased occupancy rates and resident retention.

Extra On-Site Resident Storage Space in Multifamily

Resident storage is always a concern in apartment living. According to Rentcafe, 21% of US renters are currently leasing a self-storage unit. This is an inconvenience for your renters and a missed opportunity for property management. Extra space for items such as sports equipment, luggage, and holiday decorations is hard to find. A cluttered living environment has a measurable negative impact on residents’ mental well-being and productivity. Here are some easy ways to bring a smile to your residents’ faces.

Mitigation Measures for Improved Resident Satisfaction

• Add built-in closet organizers, rather than the standard simple hanging bar and shelf, to allow residents to maximize space within their unit.
• Provide private multifamily storage units inside the building, like the options offered by Bradyl Storage Solutions, eliminating the security concern of others being able to see what is inside. Bradyl Bins can be customized to fit any room, no matter the size or shape, so you don’t have to worry about standard stock sizes of wire mesh cages.
• Assigned parking spots have a bonus space you have never thought of. An over-the-car hood storage locker like the Bradyl Box provides resident storage securely in the most convenient place- right in front of the car. This solution addresses common resident storage needs without sacrificing any actual “space”. 

Safety and Security in Apartments and Condos

Digital security and physical security are both of concern for apartment residents. Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise, as well as physical theft in garages, bicycle storage areas and mailrooms. The 2021 Audit Analytics report shows cybersecurity breaches and ransomware attacks increased by 118% in the multifamily space, making digital security more important than ever. 

Mitigation Measures for Improved Resident Satisfaction:

• Use access control measures that limit access to people who live in the building. 
• Video cameras at all entry points help prevent burglaries. 
• Provide ample storage so that residents do not leave belongings in their parking spaces or on their balconies, increasing the risk of theft.
• Provide training for residents and staff regarding suspicious emails and malware to help prevent cyber threats.
• Employ a monitoring service for real-time video monitoring. 

Layout Challenges in Designing Multifamily

Residents have shared that they have a preference for more open, flexible living spaces while space constraints of multifamily layouts typically dictate long hallways and small, rigidly defined rooms. While economics and the building’s footprint will dictate the layout to some degree, creative tweaks to apartment layouts can provide more usable space. Natural lighting and natural materials such as wood are also desirable to residents, fostering a connection with nature.

Mitigation Measures for Improved Resident Satisfaction:

• Consider strategically placed windows and mirrors to maximize natural light. 
• Use natural materials to enhance the visual and tactile environment 
• Take cues from the hospitality industry- Design multifamily housing common spaces and amenities to promote health, well-being, and community interaction. It means creating spaces for social interaction and physical activity, especially in urban environments. Some luxury examples include cold plunge pools, coffee bars and speakeasy-style after-work cocktail areas. 
• Keep lobbies spacious and artful, with natural areas for gathering. 

Concerns with Noise in Apartment Living 

A 2021 study by Springer Nature found that noise disturbances are associated with adverse health outcomes in multifamily housing units across Sweden. The study found that 11.9% of adults reported general noise disturbances inside their apartments. The most common complaints were neighbors’ voices, televisions, and music (13.2%). Environmental noises such as footsteps were an even larger complaint (16.5%). 

Mitigation Measures for Improved Resident Satisfaction:

• Utilize soundproof doors and windows
• Maximize the use of sound-absorbing materials like carpeting, curtains, and acoustic tiles.
• Consider the apartment layout carefully- stagger shared walls.
• Landscaping, especially trees, reduces noise levels from the exterior environment.

Final Thoughts

There are always trade-offs when developing apartment buildings to meet the unique goals of the developers and investors of that particular project. The challenge of appealing to prospective residents while meeting investor goals can seem daunting, but creative mitigation measures result in win-win outcomes for developers and apartment residents. 

Published by: Martin De Juan