Smart home technology is no longer just a bonus for renters. It’s becoming a key factor in their decision to stay or move on. A growing number of residents now base their lease renewal decisions on the safety and security features their homes offer. According to Rently’s Smart Apartment Trends Report, smart locks, doorbell cameras, and app-based access tools are topping renter wish lists, not for their novelty, but for the peace of mind they provide.
In fact, 57% of renters say they’d be more likely to renew their lease if their community added features like smart locks or cameras. These numbers send a clear message to property owners and managers: smart security isn’t optional—it’s expected.
Safety Features Are Top-of-Mind for Renters
For today’s renters, safety equals comfort. When touring a potential new home, people aren’t just looking at square footage and finishes. They want to know how safe they’ll feel coming home late at night, whether their packages will be safe, and how easily they can control access to their space.
Smart locks allow residents to control access without giving out spare keys. Security cameras offer visibility into who’s at the door and what’s happening in shared spaces. Features like remote access allow residents to monitor their home even when they’re away. These aren’t just conveniences—they’re essentials.
While energy efficiency and automation still matter, they don’t carry the same emotional weight as safety. Communities that invest in smart security are better positioned to earn and maintain resident trust.
Retention Starts with Trust
When renters feel safe, they’re more likely to stay. That’s because safety builds trust, and trust builds loyalty. A smart lock or camera might seem like a small touch, but it signals something bigger: management is paying attention and prioritizing resident well-being.
Empowering renters with tools to manage their own safety, like visitor monitoring or remote access, gives them a sense of control. That control translates into comfort, and comfort is what drives long-term satisfaction.
Renters who feel secure in their space are more likely to renew their lease. Property teams that recognize this connection can actively reduce turnover and strengthen relationships with their tenants.
Security Features Reflect Resident-Centered Leadership
Smart security upgrades do more than deter crime. They reflect a management philosophy that puts residents first. Adding or enhancing safety features demonstrates that leadership is tuned in, responsive, and forward-thinking.
Renters notice when operators invest in their experience and invest in safety measures like security lighting, doorbell cameras, or smart locks. A clean unit may attract renters initially, but trust in management is what turns a lease into a long-term stay.
Upgrades Can Shift Renewal Behavior
Even mid-lease security upgrades can have a surprising impact on renewal decisions. Survey participants indicated they might reconsider moving if their property operators implement meaningful improvements that enhance their daily sense of comfort and safety. Small changes can signal big intentions and shift a resident’s outlook in the process.
This means that smart safety tech doesn’t have to wait for a renovation cycle. Communities can implement simple, modular solutions, like app-based locks or lobby cameras, at any time. These mid-lease improvements can make a measurable impact on renewal rates.
In fact, renters may even view these changes as a sign that management is evolving with the times. That perception strengthens resident satisfaction and positions the property as forward-thinking, even without large-scale overhauls.
In Today’s Rental Market, Security Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Loyalty Driver
Renters today don’t just want safe spaces. They want tools that help them feel secure every day, such as smart locks, doorbell cameras, and the ability to monitor their home from their phone. They want to live in a community that takes those needs seriously.
Smart safety features are no longer fringe perks. They’re fundamental to the renter experience, and increasingly, to renter retention. For property owners and operators, investing in this technology isn’t about staying ahead of the curve. It’s about meeting residents where they already are.
In a competitive rental market, communities that prioritize safety will stand out. And the ones that deliver will earn what matters most: their residents’ peace of mind—and their loyalty.
