You used to judge an apartment by its distance to the nearest ‘L’ stop. Now? It’s all about which corner gets the best light for Zoom calls and whether your upstairs neighbor sounds like they’re stomping out a Broadway audition.
Remote work changed the rules of the rental game, and if you’re a landlord in Chicago, it’s time to update the playbook.
Because here’s the truth: renters are looking for somewhere to actually live, not just crash after a long communte. And work. And occasionally collapse face-first onto the couch between video meetings.
So let’s talk about what remote workers really want in a rental and how you, dear landlord, can keep up without going broke or losing your mind.
1. The Space-Time Conundrum
If you think “open concept” still means trendy, we’ve got bad news. People want doors. Real ones. With locks.
Renters working from home are desperate for a space they can close off and call an office, even if it’s technically a glorified walk-in closet with Wi-Fi. Many renters prefer a dedicated home office and consider it to be a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
So if your unit has a den, an awkward nook, or even a large hallway with a window, market it as a potential workspace. You don’t need to knock down walls or rebuild anything. Just frame what’s already there with remote workers in mind.
2. Fast Internet. Like, Really Fast.
No one wants to negotiate with their landlord and their Wi-Fi provider.
Chicago has plenty of buildings that are still stuck in the slow lane. If your rental can access high-speed fiber or cable internet, say so, loud and proud. Better yet? Include it in the rent. A lot of tenants will happily pay a little more to avoid the Comcast chaos.
And yes, Chicago property managers have been ahead of the curve here. Many are already baking Wi-Fi into their leases or partnering with providers to offer discounted rates. It’s not magic. It’s just knowing your audience.
3. Sound Matters More Than You Think
You never realize how thin your walls are until you’ve sat through a conference call and a toddler meltdown, at the same time.
For remote workers, peace and quiet are currency. That’s why more tenants are asking about insulation, double-pane windows, and noisy neighbors during showings. You can’t always soundproof a vintage walk-up, but even small things help.
Like draft stoppers. Thicker curtains. Rugs that don’t just look pretty but muffle echoes. And maybe don’t show the unit while the guy upstairs is practicing drums.
4. Work-From-Home Perks
Not every rental needs a full-blown coworking space. But adding little conveniences can go a long way.
Think extra outlets. Wall-mounted shelves. Even built-in desks. These don’t cost much, but they show you’ve thought about how the space gets used.
Some landlords have gone further, partnering with local cafes for discounts or giving tenants access to shared lounges and conference rooms. If you’re working with a property manager, ask if they’ve seen this in action. They often know what tenants will swoon over and what’s just marketing fluff.
5. Location Still Counts, Just Differently
You might assume people ditch location concerns once they start working from home. But here’s the twist: remote workers are often more picky.
They want walkable neighborhoods, access to green space, and coffee shops that won’t side-eye you for nursing one latte over three hours of laptop time.
In Chicago, that could mean Logan Square, Andersonville, or Hyde Park. But it’s less about the zip code and more about lifestyle. Renters want a mix of quiet, community, and convenience. Bonus points for bike lanes.
6. Flexibility in Lease Terms
Remote work unlocked a lot of lifestyle shifts. Some renters are traveling more. Others are testing new cities. This means shorter leases or flexible subletting rules are a hot commodity.
You don’t have to turn your building into a revolving door. But a little wiggle room, say, offering 6- or 9-month leases or being open to lease takeovers, can make your place way more appealing.
Property managers are usually the heroes in these situations. They help landlords navigate lease tweaks without turning the process into a legal headache. And they’re also the first to catch on to what tenants are asking for in real time.
7. The Mental Load of “Always Home”
Last, but definitely not least, remote workers aren’t just working from home. They’re living at work. That blurring of boundaries takes a toll.
So creating a rental that supports mental health (and a change of scenery) is more than a trend; it’s the next frontier.
Maybe that means adding a small patio or making sure your building has common outdoor areas. Maybe it’s just having good lighting and neutral wall colors that don’t make people feel like they’re trapped in a beige box.
Whatever you do, recognize that the way people use their homes has shifted. And the ones who get ahead of that, landlords, local property managers, leasing agents, are the ones who stay in demand.
Final Thoughts (Not Final Answers)
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s fair. No one’s expecting every Chicago landlord to pull a HGTV-style makeover overnight.
But knowing what remote workers want? That’s the first step. And adapting your space bit by bit can make a real difference.
Need a hand? Our property managers at Red Star Property Management have been helping landlords like you fine-tune your rentals to fit today’s renter demands, without losing your sanity in the process. Call us today to help you make bigger profits with your rentals.