Key Findings from Parcel Pending’s 2025 Resident Preferences Report

2025 is an interesting time for the multifamily market. Owners and operators are not only facing higher interest rates and insurance costs but also threats of tariffs – all compounded by a historic, 10-year high of new supply coming into the market. These challenges put more pressure on properties to increase resident retention and leasing velocity while requiring an increased focus on budget decisions related to resident services and amenities.

Simultaneously, shifting lifestyle priorities are influencing not just young professionals entering the rental market for the first time, but also older residents who are choosing to rent rather than deal with escalating property taxes, insurance premiums, and costly home repairs.

This means property managers are facing a critical challenge: understanding what current and prospective residents of all ages truly value. The key question isn’t just about filling units; it’s about identifying which amenities are essential for resident retention and which are merely nice-to-have luxuries. In this blog, we examine insights from our recent Resident Preferences Report to help you navigate these changing resident expectations and optimize your property’s competitive advantage.

Residents’ Most Valued Amenities Continue to Align with High Usage Patterns

This year’s data reveals a clear correlation between amenity value and actual usage, with lockers emerging as the standout favorite among residents who have experienced them firsthand. Lockers consistently rank as the top amenity, surpassing both business centers and the tied-for-second clubhouses/common areas, as well as pools and spas. This preference is backed by compelling usage statistics: more than 90% of residents utilize lockers weekly and receive at least one package through the system.

The appeal and convenience extend beyond package pick-ups, with nearly 90% (88%) of residents expressing a strong interest in saving time using lockers to return packages that carriers then pick up. This high satisfaction and frequent usage pattern demonstrates that when amenities solve real daily challenges, they transition from luxury features to essential services that residents genuinely value.

Residents Demand Additional Safety & Security

Porch piracy remains a persistent problem, which means package safety is becoming more important to residents. An overwhelming majority (95%) agree with the statement “Knowing my package is secure until I am home and able to retrieve it is important to me.” And resident sentiment about timely delivery remains consistent with last year, with 96% of residents agreeing with the statement “Getting my packages at my property on time when I expect them is important to me.”

Lockers Remain Residents’ Preferred Package Receiving Method

Among residents with prior locker experience, parcel lockers consistently rank as the top choice for package delivery, surpassing direct-to-door delivery, scheduled delivery services, and traditional leasing office pick-up. This preference becomes even more pronounced when soliciting feedback from residents who have used both lockers and off-site delivery services and found the off-site experience lacking. For these residents, reliability and lost package concerns have skyrocketed as the primary source of dissatisfaction, affecting 50% of respondents, a dramatic 354% increase from 2024!

Key Generational Differences in Package Management Preferences

While both millennial and Gen Z residents who have previously used lockers show a strong preference for parcel locker delivery over traditional direct-to-door and scheduled delivery services, their priorities reveal subtle but important generational distinctions.

Millennial residents prioritize security, speed, and cost when evaluating package management features, reflecting their focus on both convenience and financial considerations. Gen Z residents, however, rank speed, security, and accessibility as their top concerns, suggesting this digitally native generation places greater emphasis on immediate access and user-friendly systems over cost savings.

These generational nuances indicate that while parcel lockers appeal broadly to younger demographics, property managers should consider tailored messaging to specifically appeal to Gen Z and millennials.

Smart lockers have evolved from a premium amenity to an essential one in modern multifamily properties. This shift reflects residents’ growing reliance on package deliveries and their demand for security and convenience. By implementing smart lockers, you can attract quality prospects, enhance resident satisfaction, improve renewal rates, and generate positive referrals.

Want more information about how lockers can work for your community? Speak to a Parcel Pending by Quadient representative today.