The packages are taking over the apartment building… How do I keep them safe for my tenants? Over the past few years, and especially with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on-line orders have skyrocketed. For those living in multifamily housing and owners or managers of apartments and condos, safely securing UPS, FEDEX, and other home deliveries has become a challenge.
Although eCommerce has been on the upswing in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people shop. Prior to COVID, Multi-Housing News had said 61 percent of community managers’ report that package deliveries have increased year over year. For the average apartment community, that’s roughly 150 packages per week delivered to their door. However, that number jumps to an average of 270 packages per week during the holidays—that’s an 81 percent increase during peak package season. While most apartment buildings (77 percent) now have a dedicated space for package storage, some buildings’ package storage solutions are inadequate, especially during high volume periods. To further complicate the matter, packages are becoming more difficult to store with residents ordering heavy, oversized, and perishable items.
However, this number has increased exponentially due to an increase of new users purchasing online and an uptick in the frequency of purchases, which has left apartment companies struggling to figure out how to handle the increase in packages. Because the United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) regulations currently prevent other delivery carriers from accessing U.S.P.S. mailboxes, apartment communities face challenges managing deliveries for their tenants from U.P.S., FedEx, and other shipping companies.
Package lockers, a centralized exchange point for deliveries in apartments, universities, and corporations, have become a popular option to combat this problem. Packages held in mailrooms, reception areas, or placed outside of doorways can be easily misplaced or stolen.
However, parcel hubs enable carriers to deposit packages in designated locked compartments until the recipients can pick them up, making last-mile delivery convenient and straightforward for everyone involved.
While package lockers are a great option for larger multifamily communities, they may be cost-prohibitive for smaller, independent owners and managers. We also offer the wire mesh solution.
WIRE MESH SOLUTION
Wire mesh triple-tier storage lockers or single cages, however, can be a simple, yet a cost-effective option. These storage solutions keep tenant packages safe between delivery and pick-up, especially when storage is needed but not a lot of space is available. Also, they fit perfectly in various areas, including under stairs, in breezeways, and in lobbies and other common areas due to their adaptability and modular design.
With panels available in as little as 1-foot increments and fully framed and pre-hung doors, installation is a breeze. Owners can secure each locker with a padlock, digital keypad locks, or any device that will allow the lockers to be opened by the resident’s mobile phone, Q.R. code scan, or pin code.
Multifamily housing providers who want to simplify last-mile delivery of packages for their tenants but cannot afford a smart package management hub should also contact Smart Storage Systems to help keep their tenant’s packages safe.
