Third-party, offsite package management is lifting the package burden for property teams across the rental housing industry. While each apartment community comes with its own unique logistical challenges, the benefits of a third-party solution may not be greater anywhere in the multifamily space than in student housing.

The revolving student population, short-term leases, continual foot traffic and high package volume create package management challenges beyond the typical issues faced at traditional multifamily communities. The unique dynamics of student housing render onsite solutions like package lockers and package rooms prove woefully inadequate for package storage, creating overflow issues and unnecessary package exposure. But those same dynamics create an environment tailor made for off-site package management.

Move-ins made easy

Unlike most multifamily communities, where turnover per unit occurs every 12 months at the most, student housing experiences turnover waves at several intervals throughout the year. At the start of the first semester, winter break, spring break, second semester and summer break, students depart or move-in en masse.

Move-ins, in particular, pose package management problems for student housing operators. In addition to the carload of belongings students bring with them to start the semester, they routinely order necessities for their homes and have them delivered at move-in time. For properties attempting onsite package management, regardless of the infrastructure, this creates a package influx that rivals the holiday season. The resulting clutter and congestion contributes to an already hectic environment, and the potential for lost or stolen packages.

Conversely, third-party, offsite package management allows students to order their start-of-semester essentials and have those items held at an off-site warehouse in anticipation of move-in day. Students can schedule directly with the third-party provider to arrange direct-to-door delivery, at a time they know they will be home. Packages are never left in the open and students have access to their deliveries precisely when they need them.

Synching with schedules

Once the school year begins, student schedules are typically varied and disjointed, with students frequently away from home during the day and not returning until late at night. With onsite package management, packages delivered in the morning will often be left unattended for 8-10 hours, if not longer. This escalates liability issues for operators, due to an increased likelihood of theft or lost packages, according to NMHC's 2022 State of the Apartment Industry Report. The amount of foot traffic at student housing communities only increases the opportunity.

Third-party package management allows students to manage their own deliveries through an app, empowering them to select a delivery day and time that fits with their schedule. Packages aren't the responsibility of the management company, and aren't left exposed throughout the community, drastically reducing the risk.

Tech-savvy students

Students are comfortable with e-commerce and tend to conduct their shopping online, resulting in more package deliveries to their communities. While the package volume is overwhelming for onsite teams and facilities, students' tech proficiency also makes them ideal candidates for third-party package management solutions.

Students prefer to manage their lives through their smartphones, and a third-party package management app caters to those preferences. By putting students in control of their own package oversight and delivery schedules, onsite teams can effectively remove themselves from the package management equation and create a seamless experience for students.