Parks Associates has released a white paper that addresses how smart appliances can benefit property managers, maintenance staff workers, and residents by improving the efficiency of appliances and adding new features and functionalities, such as maintenance monitoring, automation, and remote control.

In addition, "Solving Multifamily Maintenance Demands with Smart Appliances" details the perceived value proposition of smart appliances to multifamily property owners and managers, as well as the drivers and barriers of smart appliance adoption.

Based on a survey of 100 property owners, property managers and maintenance managers, the white paper investigates the impact of labor shortages on properties’ maintenance teams.

The US Census Bureau reports that as of 2021, there were roughly 33M housing units in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), defined as structures with three or more units. Thirty percent of US internet households live in MDUs, including apartments, condos, and duplexes, according to the white paper.

A top concern for property owners and managers of MDUs is the ability to hire and retain maintenance staff, and the inefficiencies these staffing issues can cause; nearly a quarter reported being understaffed and nearly half reported issues hiring and retaining staff.

Other highlights include:

- 45% report that improving the productivity and efficiency of maintenance staff is difficult for them.

- 40% had difficulty scheduling maintenance staff and training new maintenance staff.

- 31% report servicing appliances in an appropriate time frame as a challenge, directly impacting resident experiences.

- 80% report that at least one property they managed or owned had deployed smart appliances to residents in some form or fashion; the rest plan to acquire smart appliances at some point.

To access the white paper, click here