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New Study Reveals Keys to Retaining Renters in a High-Turnover Market

Clay Walsh

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October 27, 2025

OAK BROOK, IL – October 28, 2025LiftMaster, Chamberlain Group’s leading brand of professionally installed access control solutions powered by myQ technology today released its 2025 Resident Experience Trends and Insights Study. The report reveals that meaningful staff interactions, engaging amenities, and a sense of connection are the strongest drivers of resident satisfaction. The study also uncovered that many operators overlook the importance of digital tools that residents rely on, revealing an opportunity to drive higher satisfaction.

To improve resident satisfaction, the report suggests that operators can elevate the resident experience by thoughtfully applying AI and other digital tools. The study also notes that renters are enthusiastic about AI’s ability to AI streamline and simplify tasks such as maintenance requests, freeing human staff time for vital resident interactions and key moments that increase renter likelihood to renew.

In partnership with RPM Living, the leading multifamily property management, investment and development company, and EliseAI, the AI company automating complex housing and healthcare systems, LiftMaster’s study revealed four factors that shape resident experience.

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Four Key Drivers of Resident Satisfaction

The four core pillars that have the greatest impact on resident satisfaction and retention are: Property Management Staff, Tech Solutions, Community, and Amenities. These pillars are areas where operators can make immediate improvements to drive higher satisfaction.

The findings highlight that while residents value Property Management Staff the most, Tech Solutions are a key area for growth as the second most important satisfaction driver, but with the lowest performance rating at 27%. This presents a significant opportunity for operators to enhance their offerings.

  • Property Management Staff: Residents value friendly day-to-day interactions, a simplified maintenance request process, and flexibility during extenuating circumstances more than formal major touchpoints like move-in or routine outreach. The #1 resident priority is overall friendliness when they interact with staff, with a current satisfaction rating of 41%.
  • Technology Solutions: The gap between high importance and low resident satisfaction makes technology investment a key area for growth. Seamless, high-quality access options like key fobs, mobile credentials, and smart locks are the strongest drivers of satisfaction with technology. Additionally, apps that help residents engage with the community and reserve amenities are also highly valued. A top resident priority is the availability of access options, which only 33% of residents rate as excellent.
  • Community: It’s no surprise that the most important community factors for residents are a clean, respectful, and welcoming environment. The study also found that a genuine and personalized building tour is crucial for setting expectations and helping residents determine if the community is the right fit for them. The #1 resident priority is their fellow residents being clean and respectful of common areas, with 35% of residents being in complete agreement.
  • Amenities: Residents prioritize amenities that are modern, new, and save them time and money. Convenience and value are strong drivers, as residents want amenities that reduce their monthly costs, such as an on-site gym. The top resident priority is how modern and new amenities are, with only 18% of respondents rating them as excellent.

Key Emotional Outcomes and the Future of the Resident Experience

The study strongly indicated that investing in these four pillars yields significant emotional benefits for residents, which in turn drives overall satisfaction. These emotional outcomes include feeling that the property management team genuinely cares, feeling a sense of connection to the community, and feeling that the building provides a sense of peace-of-mind and safety. Ultimately, these investments lead residents to feel that their building provides overall value for money.

"Our research clearly shows that technology is no longer a luxury—it's a critical component of a great resident experience," said Matt Neff, Vice President of Commercial Services, LiftMaster. "By investing in seamless access solutions and community-building apps, operators can directly address resident needs, reduce friction in daily life, and free up staff to focus on the personal interactions that truly build loyalty and drive renewals."

“Extraordinary service doesn’t happen by chance – and this research clearly reinforces that,” said Alexis Vance, Chief Experience Officer at RPM Living. “At RPM, we believe it’s not just about delivering a good experience for our residents but about unlocking an extraordinary one. That means striking the right balance between human connection and automation. When we do that well – leading with genuine human touch, leveraging technology to elevate the experience, and creating a seamless handoff between the two – everything else naturally follows: engagement, retention, and performance.”

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The Opportunity for AI in Multifamily Living

The study delves into the role of artificial intelligence (AI), revealing that both property managers and renters are confident in its potential to streamline routine tasks. Property managers are particularly enthusiastic about using AI for the maintenance and repair process. In fact:

  • 71% of property managers stated they would "definitely or probably use" AI for coordinating repairs and service 
  • Renters also show high confidence in AI, with 67% feeling "extremely or very confident" using it to schedule apartment tours and for the maintenance and service request submission process

The report suggests a hybrid model where AI handles repetitive, administrative tasks, and human staff can focus on high-impact interactions that require empathy and nuance, such as de-escalating emotional issues and building trust.

“The strong interest from both property managers and residents in using AI to enhance onsite experiences is consistent with the growing demand we’re seeing from our customers,” said Minna Song, co-founder and CEO of EliseAI. “AI allows renters to get instant answers and allows property managers to focus on what matters most to keep improving the experience of their communities. It paves the way for more personalized support and timely access to information.” 

LiftMaster’s research, which offers actionable insights for property operators, was conducted to help enhance operations and deliver exceptional living experiences that address the challenge of high resident turnover and its associated costs.

Study Methodology

The insights in this report were gathered through a comprehensive research approach that captured both the resident and property manager perspectives. The study included conversations with over 180 property managers, developers, and owners across Class A multifamily properties. 

Additionally, a national survey was conducted with more than 2,300 renters aged 18 and older currently living in Class A apartments in high-rise, mid-rise, or garden-style communities. The research was conducted in partnership with Peerless Insights, a San Francisco-based research consultancy.

About LiftMaster

LiftMaster is a leading brand of professionally installed residential garage door openers, as well as a manufacturer of commercial door operators, residential and commercial gate operators, smart video intercoms, and smart door controllers. Driven by the access and security needs of the marketplace, LiftMaster's expansive line of state-of-the-art residential and commercial products are designed to fit any lifestyle or application, providing the latest technology and innovations in safety, security and convenience. More information at LiftMaster.com

About myQ Community 

Chamberlain Group’s myQ Community is a cloud-based platform and app that works with LiftMaster smart video intercoms, smart door controllers, and gate operators. Serving 12,000+ communities and two million+ residents, it offers secure access to apartments, condos, and gated communities. myQ Community is the only platform that integrates from community gate to in-unit lock, creating a seamless self-access experience for residents at every entry entrance through the myQ Community app. More information at myq.com/commercial.

About Chamberlain Group 

Chamberlain Group (CG) is a global leader in intelligent access and Blackstone portfolio company. Powered by our myQ technology, CG makes access simple and secure for millions of homeowners, businesses, and communities worldwide. CG's flagship brands, LiftMaster® and Chamberlain® , are found in 50+ million homes, and more than 14 million people rely on the myQ®  app daily.  

CG's patented vehicle-to-home connectivity solution, myQ Connected Garage, is available in millions of vehicles from the leading automakers.  

Follow CG on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About RPM Living

RPM Living is a highly innovative, full-service multifamily property management, investment and development company. RPM is passionate about acquiring, building, and operating exceptional multifamily rental communities that build our investors’ confidence and satisfy our residents’ desires for sanctuary and home. Every day, RPM delivers hands-on property management service, strategic investment opportunities, and property development expertise no other professional real estate company of their size can match.

About EliseAI

EliseAI transforms complex healthcare and housing systems. By deeply integrating into workflows and automating operations, it makes them efficient and cuts costs for all. Its platform supports medical practices with patient scheduling, intake and front-desk operations and helps property managers handle leasing, maintenance and resident engagement. EliseAI replaces fragmented tools with one integrated system that reduces manual work and improves accessibility and experience for residents and patients alike. The company is based in New York with teams in San Francisco, Boston and Chicago. To learn more, visit www.eliseai.com/careers

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Get in Touch with Us Today to Learn More
Get in Touch with Us Today to Learn More