The student housing sector is evolving rapidly, and technology is playing a crucial role in making operations more efficient while enhancing the resident experience. Traditional property management in student housing presents unique challenges due to the high resident turnover and the complexity of managing multiple-bedroom apartments.
Smart home solutions are revolutionizing the industry by streamlining operations, improving security, and reducing manual tasks for property teams.
The Old Way vs. The Smart Way
Traditionally, managing student housing meant juggling countless keys, manually rekeying locks for new residents, and responding to frequent maintenance requests. Every time a tenant moved out, property teams had to spend hours—sometimes days—rekeying locks, distributing new keys, and ensuring security was maintained. The process was not only time-consuming but also costly.
Real-World Operating Efficiency Data on 576 Bedroom Student Housing Community
One Platform Controls Smart Home, Building, Garage, and Elevator Access
2.7x Avg. Daily Usage
Mobile Access Control of Apartment Door and Private Bedroom, Guest Access Control, and Smart Lighting Features
1,492 Labor Hours Saved Annually from Needing to Re-key Locks, Retrieve and Track Keys, Reduced Resident Lockouts
Z-Wave for Integration with Smart Home. Eliminates the Risk of Students Losing Keys.
Detected Avgerage of 5 In-Unit Leaks Per Month.
Simple Retrofit, Enables Scalability Through Multifamily Portfolio
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Automations for Property Management
Smart home technology goes beyond access control—it automates various operational tasks, saving valuable time for property managers. Automated access control streamlines move-ins and move-outs, eliminating the need for physical key handovers. Additionally, property management software integrates with leasing platforms to enable seamless digital leasing, reducing paperwork and simplifying the entire process.
From a leasing perspective, automation can also enhance the resident experience. Self-guided tours with smart access allow prospective students to visit properties on their own schedule without a leasing agent present. This flexibility attracts tech-savvy students who expect digital-first solutions in their housing search.
Seamless Integrations for a Smarter Experience
One of the most significant advantages of modern technology platforms is their ability to integrate with leading access control providers such as ButterflyMX, Gatewise, and Avigilon. These integrations create a seamless workday for property teams by centralizing access control and security monitoring in a single system. Staff can manage access permissions, track entry logs, and even grant remote access to vendors and maintenance teams without being on-site.
For residents, these integrations offer a connected, smart living experience. Mobile-based access eliminates the need for physical keys, while integrations with smart thermostats, lighting, and security systems provide added convenience. Tech-savvy students appreciate the ability to control their home environment with just a few taps on their smartphones.
The video below highlights some of the building access control features and smart living experience you can expect when you integrate a smart home platform with ButterflyMX Video Intercom. Student residents can send Virtual Keys for guest entry and create temporary pass codes for delivery services like Amazon, Uber Eats, and more.
The Future of Student Housing
Smart home technology is not just a trend—it’s the future of student housing. By automating repetitive tasks, improving security, and enhancing the resident experience, property teams can operate more efficiently while reducing costs. With seamless integrations and centralized management, student housing providers can stay ahead of the curve, offering the tech-forward experience today’s students expect.
As the demand for smart living continues to grow, investing in smart home technology is no longer optional—it’s essential for success in the competitive student housing market.
With the help of smart technology, we’ve automated aspects of the move-in and move-out process, each student housing bedroom is secured with its own smart lock, and we no longer worry about lost keys or manual tracking” stated Becca Jung, Community Manager in Tampa. “The addition of garage gate, elevator, and building access control has created a frictionless experience for visitors and guests. Smart living is an exciting selling point that helps drive leases.”
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