Covid-19 has shaped the modern renter’s wants and needs as more and more individuals are working from home. Remote work is influencing design decisions and building plans across the industry. Nationally, the share of renters teleworking daily is roughly five times higher than it was two years ago.

New data from the 2022 National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC)/Grace Hill Renter Preferences Survey Report (features insights from more than 220,000 renters living in nearly 5,000 communities across the US) 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 because of the shift to remote work.

Seamless Connectivity in Multifamily Housing

One of the multi-family designs renters have long demanded is seamless connectivity — and has become critical as telecom and internet technology have become a lifeline to remote work.

In fact, respondents ranked reliable cell phone service as the top 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 indicated they wouldn’t rent their home without it. Renters in the research study also stated the multi-family housing needs to be quiet and private, leading to strong interest in soundproof walls.

Home offices and shared meeting spaces have become in-demand features. For these reasons, many new communities are opting to offer high-speed, community-wide Wi-Fi as part of the properties’ amenity package. Not only are these amenities sought after, but renters are willing to pay an additional monthly premium for them.

Flexibility Becomes a Key Feature in Apartment Designs

Most renters today 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 renter’s desire.

The pandemic has certainly changed remote work for not only renters — but also developers and architects who recognize this new paradigm and respond with creative solutions will keep renters satisfied and the industry moving forward.