The modern multifamily community is no longer just a place to live—it’s become a place to work, collaborate and thrive professionally. According to the Grace Hill 2024 Renter Preferences Survey Report, a substantial 39% of renters now work from home several days a week, and half of all employees would rather find a new job than return to full-time office work.
For property owners and managers, this shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. The communities that are thriving in this new landscape aren’t just accepting remote work—they’re actively designing for it by transforming underutilized common spaces into productive remote work hubs.
Let’s explore how strategic investments in work-from-home amenities can become your competitive advantage in attracting and retaining today’s residents.
Is catering to remote workers right for your community?
Before investing in remote work amenities, it’s important to understand if your resident demographic will benefit from these changes. Research supports the value of this target market:
A study conducted by Harvard Business Review shows that remote jobs tend to:
Provide higher pay
Require more education
Require more experience
In short, people who work remotely often earn more and may have greater job stability than those who don't—good news for property managers focused on maintaining rents and strong retention rates.
But not every community will have a high concentration of remote workers. To determine if this investment makes sense for your properties, consider the most common professions in your communities and their locations.
Industries most likely to support remote work:
Professional, scientific and technical services (47%)
Information (45%)
Finance and insurance (45%)
Management of companies and enterprises (39%)
Industries with lower remote work rates (15% or lower):
Accommodation and food services
Construction
Transportation and warehousing
Mining
Retail
Healthcare and social assistance
Manufacturing
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
If your resident demographic aligns with industries that have higher work-from-home rates, investing in remote-friendly amenities could yield significant returns.
From traditional lobbies to collaborative workspaces
One of the most significant ways to attract remote workers is transforming conventional common areas into functional communal workspaces. Although people appreciate WFH benefits like saving commuting time and costs, and having more control over their work environment, many still miss certain aspects of office life—like running into colleagues at the water cooler or having access to a printer. In fact, the demand is clear: 48% of renters are interested in having a shared workspace in the same or adjacent building.
Size and layout considerations
When planning your workspace transformation, remember that usage patterns vary:
Only 12% of renters would use a shared workspace daily
57% would use it weekly
21% would use it monthly
This means you don’t need capacity for every remote worker simultaneously. Instead, create a flexible mix of:
Hot desk areas for temporary use
Comfortable lounge seating for casual work
Meeting rooms for collaborative sessions or video calls
Essential features for productive workspaces
The most important elements to have available in your shared workspace are:
Connection: Free WiFi, USB ports and a wireless connection to office equipment
Abundant power: Multiple power outlets and wireless charging stations
Self-serve office equipment: Printers, scanners and copiers
Private spaces: Reservable rooms for video or in-person conferencing
While additional amenities like beverage stations, office supplies or large projection screens can enhance the experience, focus first on these core productivity essentials.
Creating a truly connected community
From amenity to infrastructure
Free WiFi in shared workspaces is essential, but truly reimagined communities are implementing seamless, property-wide connectivity solutions. This approach recognizes a critical reality: more than half (56%) of renters live with someone else. Those who work from home appreciate the flexibility to:
Take calls while walking around the community
Work from fitness centers or outdoor spaces
Move between their shared workspaces without disconnecting
Community WiFi allows residents to work from anywhere without switching networks or dropping signal—a feature 90% of renters want. Additionally, 67% of renters appreciate immediate network access upon move-in, without the hassle of setting up their own service.
Transforming package rooms into logistics centers
Remote workers have unique package management needs that go beyond typical resident deliveries. Without a corporate office to receive items, they often receive:
Valuable company equipment like laptops and monitors
Corporate-branded materials and swag
Team-building items including food deliveries for virtual lunches or activity kits
With employees potentially liable for company property, secure package management becomes essential. Nationally, 51% of renters receive packages at least once a week—a figure likely higher in communities with numerous remote workers.
It's no surprise that 76% of renters desire secure, self-service package access available 24/7, and they're willing to pay an average of $46.14 more per month for this service.
Learn more about SmartRent’s Smart Package Management
Building community for remote workers
People working from home often miss the social interactions that traditional offices provide. Forward-thinking property managers are addressing this need by:
Hosting more frequent social events like BBQs, happy hours and paint nights
Organizing events aligned with resident interests:
Travel (52%)
Fitness (35%)
Outdoor adventures (26%)
Fashion, style and shopping (25%)
Music (23%)
Sports (22%)
Arts and culture (22%)
Gaming (14%)
Charity and volunteer work (9%)
Many remote workers also miss the dining experiences that come with working in commercial districts. Bringing food trucks or catering events to your property can help recreate these experiences—a concept that appeals to 57% of all renters interested in having food and drink nearby.
Help keep residents informed about community events using the SmartRent Resident App.
The smart approach to redefining common spaces
Remote work isn't just a trend—it's a fundamental shift in how residents use their living spaces. Forward-thinking property managers recognize that properly equipped common areas aren't just amenities anymore—they're essential infrastructure for attracting and retaining high-value residents.
The communities seeing the greatest success are taking an integrated approach. Rather than implementing piecemeal solutions, they're partnering with technology providers who understand the complete resident experience:
Seamless connectivity throughout the property
Intelligent package management systems
Resident apps that build community engagement
Smart solutions for flexible space utilization
SmartRent's integrated platform helps you transform underutilized common areas into productive, desirable spaces that meet the evolving needs of today's remote workforce. Our solutions work together to create environments where residents can work productively, connect meaningfully, and live comfortably.
Discover how SmartRent can help you redefine your common areas and shared spaces to attract and retain residents.