High-speed Internet Beats out In-unit Laundry for Apartment Dwellers

PHILADELPHIA – High-speed internet and Wi-Fi are among the most important factors to apartment dwellers when making a rental decision – even more than in-room laundry facilities – according to a new survey from Comcast’s multifamily development services division, XFINITY Communities. The company’s new report, “Networking with Residents: Technology Drives the Multifamily Industry,” examines the state of technology in the multifamily industry by including input from property managers and developers across the country.

Among those surveyed, 87 percent believe that technology plays either an extremely or very important role in keeping residents satisfied, with 75 percent reporting that the majority of new and prospective residents ask about communications services (internet, phone, TV) in their building prior to renting.

“Property managers and developers are balancing the requirement to provide sophisticated technology for their residents with the challenges of providing the latest network infrastructure,” said Mike Slovin, vice president of XFINITY Communities. “Residents expect a high-level of services, and in an increasingly competitive rental market, the need to provide new services and upgrade existing ones intensifies.”

The survey was conducted among 205 building managers, building owners and real estate developers of multifamily properties located in the U.S. The findings include:

• 34 percent ranked Wi-Fi access as the most important amenity, followed by high-speed internet (25 percent) and in-room laundry facilities (13 percent)


• 30 percent believe quality communications services boosts property values by at least 20 percent


• 89 percent cite technology as an important factor in a renters’ decision to sign or renew a lease


• 88 percent agree that tenants 18-34 prefer high-tech amenities more than residents 52 and older


• 82 percent install the latest technology in order to “future proof” their buildings.


• 60 percent said they plan to make energy efficiency-related improvements this year

The report also suggests that property managers and developers are investing in network infrastructure, with 47 percent currently managing fiber networks.

The survey was conducted using a random sample of 205 building managers, building owners and real estate developers of multifamily properties located in the U.S. The survey was administered online between December 7-10, 2016 with 205 qualified building managers and owners completing the survey. The margin of error for the overall findings is 5.79 percent at a 90 percent confidence interval.