As 2025 draws to a close, it’s fair to say that 2025 has been a year of mixed fortune for the multifamily industry.
But from centralized operations to AI-driven maintenance and increasingly sophisticated access control, smart technology continued to redefine what it means to manage and live in multifamily properties amid unprecedented economic headwinds and rapidly-shifting resident expectations.
Centralized Tech Stacks: Doing More With Less
Faced with stagnant rent growth and rising operational costs, property managers increasingly turned to centralized systems to streamline operations. By consolidating leasing, access control, maintenance requests, and communications into a unified platform, more and more operators have been able to reduce inefficiencies and improve consistency across properties.
This consolidation of smart property management solutions has not only cut overhead but also enabled faster decision-making and better resident service, especially in portfolios managing multiple sites.
Predictive Maintenance and AI-Powered Operations
In 2025, predictive maintenance emerged as one of the most impactful applications of smart multifamily technology. By using data collected from connected devices like HVAC systems and smart water sensors, property managers were able to monitor equipment health in real time and address potential issues before they became costly breakdowns.
This proactive approach not only prevented disruptions to the resident experience but also helped properties operate more smoothly and cost-effectively. According to a recent Parks Associates study, managers who implemented smart property technology saw a remarkable 20% increase in operational efficiency and an 18% reduction in costs.
Smart HVAC Systems: Comfort Meets Efficiency
Energy management remained a top priority in 2025, especially during peak summer months. Smart HVAC systems with integrated occupancy sensors and predictive maintenance features allowed properties to regulate temperature based on real-time use and weather conditions.
By syncing with property management software (PMS), smart thermostats automatically adjust based on resident activity — cooling or heating units just before move-in and switching to eco-mode during vacancies. This approach cut energy bills significantly, with managers seeing up to a 19% reduction in energy costs.
Multifamily Access Control: Security Gets Smarter
Security remains a top priority for prospective residents and it significantly influences leasing decisions. Smart locks and video intercoms, when combined with a robust perimeter video solution, create a comprehensive safety ecosystem. Together, these technologies not only help prevent incidents but also provide residents with comfort and peace of mind.
Another Parks Associates report revealed that apartment NPS only turned positive once four or more security measures were implemented, underlining the importance of a holistic, tech-powered approach to community safety.
Resident Experience: The New Competitive Advantage
Resident expectations continued to shift, with digital-first experiences becoming the baseline. Whether through mobile access, maintenance portals, or app-based amenity bookings, smart property technology enabled seamless interactions throughout the resident lifecycle.
And residents are willing to pay for it. Over one-third of apartment renters reported they’d pay an additional $60/month for smart home and security features, representing an $8.5B revenue opportunity for the multifamily market.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If 2025 was the year of integration, 2026 will be about optimization. As economic headwinds persist, multifamily operators will need to further fine-tune their smart tech strategies. Expect advanced AI, tighter integrations, and an even greater focus on automation as property managers seek to boost efficiency without compromising on service or security.
Want to learn more about what happened in the world of multifamily during 2025? Read our key takeaways from this year’s OPTECH Conference and Expo.
