56% of Renters Have Lived With a Broken Apartment Security Feature, New Rently Survey Finds

New report reveals how apartment security, maintenance and access influence renter trust, leasing decisions and renewals

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apartment security is becoming an increasingly important part of the resident experience. New research from Rently, the resident lifecycle management platform designed for single-family and multifamily operators, takes a closer look at how apartment security holds up in practice and what renters expect from the communities where they live.

The Rently 2026 Apartment Access & Security Report is based on an online survey conducted in August 2026 among 800 U.S. adults who rent an apartment or other multifamily residence. Conducted via the third-party survey platform Pollfish, the study examines renters’ day-to-day security experiences, including whether building safeguards work and how management responds when concerns arise. It also explores the impact those experiences can have on leasing and renewal decisions.

Key Findings:

• 40% of renters say their building has no controlled entry, and guests or deliveries simply walk in.
• 56% have lived somewhere with an apartment security feature that existed but didn’t work.
• Only 29% of renters who raised a safety concern say management fixed it quickly.
• 34% left their community over safety concerns after a broken security feature was never fixed, compared with 11% of renters who never had one break.
• 55% have added their own apartment security device, or wanted to and weren’t allowed.
• 60% would accept a rent increase for community-wide security upgrades, averaging $74 a month among those willing.
• Only 11% fully trust apartment security claims like “gated community” or “24-hour surveillance” in rental listings.
• When someone needs access to their home while they're away, 52% of renters say advance notice before anyone enters their home matters more than any other safeguard.

The findings suggest renters judge security less by what a property promises and more by what actually happens on site. When safeguards fail or access feels unclear, trust can erode quickly.

“Simply adding more devices doesn’t automatically make a community more secure,” said Merrick Lackner, CEO of Rently. “The real value comes from connecting access, cameras, smart home technology and communication so residents know what to expect and property teams know what’s happening across the community. Security technology should be reliable, connected and part of the everyday resident experience, not something that only shows up on an amenities list.”

View the full 2026 Apartment Access & Security Report on Rently’s website for the complete survey results and additional insights.

About Rently
Rently is a resident lifecycle management platform designed for single-family and multifamily operators, helping optimize every stage of the rental journey—including listing properties, streamlining leasing processes with self-guided tours and smart access, and improving resident living experiences through smart home technology. From enhanced security and greater operational efficiency to increased occupancy and NOI, Rently provides tailored solutions that support operators' goals from a single, unified platform. To learn more, visit use.rently.com.

Media Contact
Idea Grove on behalf of Rently
rently@ideagrove.com