How package delivery is adapting for renters and owners

Renters and homebuyers have a consideration they wouldn’t have even given a thought to a few years ago:

How to safely retrieve package deliveries?

Already, 77 percent of apartment buildings have a dedicated space for storage, like a package locker in the lobby, according to a 2018 survey by the National Multifamily Housing Council.

While some multifamily building dwellers would prefer the convenience of packages delivered to their door, a secure common pickup area is the practical alternative for residents to safely receive parcels when they’re not home, says Andisheh Ranjbari, manager of the Urban Freight Lab at the University of Washington.

When package storage isn’t available, another twist on that crucial real estate element — location — comes into play. Secure storage spots nearby can be a valuable perk to a renter or owner. Currently, there are about 70,000 package pickup points around the country.

These access points are “available in all major cities,” but many are restricted to certain residents, or allow packages from certain carriers, such as UPS or Amazon, Ranjbari notes.

In rural areas, pickup stations are more far and wide.

That’s opened up a market for products allowing an individual to craft their own secure home delivery.

BoxLock is one firm offering boxes which open when delivery people scan barcodes on shipping labels.

Other product options involve security cameras and other tech solutions, such as alerts that delivery people can send to the owner’s phone to temporarily unlock a door for a drop- off.

While it’s not topof- mind, where and how packages will be securely delivered is promising to become more of a consideration as online shopping becomes an ingrained habit.

Even how that secure location looks could come into play. In one Las Vegas development, luxury home builder Toll Brothers is partnering with a firm to provide secure lockers — which can be styled to complement the home’s design.