Pittsburgh Landlords Are Missing the SmartHome Upgrade Renters Actually Want (And It’s Not Alexa)

Package theft is surging in Pittsburgh and across urban areas. Thieves brazenly trail delivery drivers and snatch parcels from doorsteps within minutes of drop-off. For apartment renters, your risk is even higher. While some landlords invest in trendy smart home features like voice assistants, they are overlooking the upgrade renters actually need — smart garage door openers. The Package Theft Crisis Affecting Pittsburgh Renters Apartment residents are three times more likely than homeowners to experience package theft, resulting in roughly $8 billion in annual losses nationwide. 2025 data also shows that 37% of apartment renters experienced package theft. The average resident lost two packages over the year, and one in four suspects a neighbor was the culprit. With shared, high-traffic entries and the sheer volume of unmonitored deliveries, apartments create easy opportunities for thieves. These criminals know exactly when to strike. Unsecured lobbies and hallway drop-offs further amplify the problem. What might seem like a minor inconvenience becomes a daily source of anxiety that impacts your quality of life. Why the Rental Market Demands Smarter Amenities Pittsburgh’s rental market is tightening. It had a rental vacancy rate of 6.9% in 2025, lower than 8.7% the year prior. While this better aligns supply and demand, it also creates a more competitive environment for property owners.  Unlike many other cities experiencing rent declines, Pittsburgh has seen year-over-year rent increases. That means landlords must offer problem-solving amenities with practical value to attract and retain quality tenants. What Today’s Renters Say They Want Research shows that 58% of renters would give up amenities like pools and gyms for better smart home features. Many now consider preinstalled technology essential when choosing a rental. “We’re witnessing a real shift in what renters consider essential,&