Resident packages are problem, specifically for the Apartment Industry. As reported recently by NBC, Camden made a controversial decision to not accept resident packages across its entire portfolio. This sparked heavy discussion as to whether or not accepting packages is a luxury amenity or an expected utility. Opponents of this controversial decision claim that as Millennial tenants continue to claim reign over the apartment industry, accepting packages will be expected, almost without question.

Speculators believe that the market will force Camden to rethink its current strategy or risk slipping from its current position in the multifamily market. The alternative seems unlikely: Apartment communities across the nation refusing to accept parcels on site? Not likely. In this age of online shopping and convenience, it doesn’t seem feasible to just not accept resident packages. Millennial tenants have high expectations and are only loyal to the best option in the moment. Even some Gen X and Y tenants are likely to make similar changes to their living arrangements for the sake of convenience, especially considering how often these folks shop online. 

Power players like Morgan Properties from the east coast to GHP Management from the west coast and others all over the country are seeing this as an opportunity to stand out from Camden’s stance on resident packages and are announcing with fervor, their willingness to accept packages on their apartment listings. Property owners and property managers alike would like to get out of the package management business, but it’s not clear that it’s an option. Owners and managers are watching Camden closely to see how this plays out, but the initial consensus seems to favor packages as a utility or expected amenity.

If resident packages are not going away, then finding a viable solution is a critical part of the apartment industry future. Whatever the answer is it can’t be a partial solution, it needs to be fast, and either non-intrusive to day-to-day operations or brings some next-level element that leverages these packages in a way that benefits the community or both.

I would be interested to know how properties are effectively accepting packages at their communities and how they see the future for improvements to their system.

Please comment.