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CH01 - Property Management in 2025
Navigating the Evolution of Modern Building Operations
2025 Global Workplace Report
VTS is the industry's only technology platform that unifies owners, operators, brokers, and their customers across the commercial and residential real estate ecosystems.
VTS commissioned an independent study to explore corporate property manager and tenant needs and expectations by surveying over 400 property managers and 400 business leaders. The findings from this research have been gathered into VTS' second Global Workplace Report to inform your 2025 tenant retention and acquisition strategies.
For brevity and impact, we are releasing one chapter of the report at a time. These three chapters are:
Office Property Management Landscape
How are office sector leaders managing their building tenant’s return-to-office initiatives? What workplace investments are they making to retain their talent?
Workplace Business Leader
Which parts have the tenant’s experience with their building and landlord has an outsized impact on tenant sentiment?
Bridging the Gap
How do the expectations of property managers and tenants compare?
CHAPTER 1
Jump to Chapter
Workplace Tenant Insights
Bridging the Gap
Office Property Management Landscape
Executive Summary
VTS commissioned an independent study to understand the evolving property management landscape by surveying over 400 property managers and business leaders. The findings reveal an industry grappling with expanding responsibilities, increasing operational complexity, and rising tenant expectations—all while seeking to deliver exceptional workplace experiences.
This report, the second installment of VTS' Global Workplace Report series, provides critical insights to inform your 2025 tenant
Five key themes emerge from our research:
Growing tensions between property management strategies and administrative realities
1
Overall shift towards tenant centric management operations
Navigating a complex property management tech stack
Increasing need for market intelligence to drive building value
Industry wide drive towards operational integration
2
3
4
5
The great divide between ambition and reality
The Evolution of Property Manager Responsibilities
Property managers are drowning in administrative tasks while craving strategic impact. In 2025, property managers noted that work order management was their #1 time drain—yet their aspirations tell a different story.
The research reveals a profession caught in a fundamental tension: while property managers aim to be strategic leaders, their days are consumed by low-value tasks that limit their impact.
Property managers aspire to be strategic leaders focused on tenant experience and building value. Yet they remain tethered to administrative tasks that consume most of their time. Furthermore, they’re mired in operational reporting, with only a small minority tracking metrics that can help build a strong long-range strategy.
The data exposes a clear imperative for property managers:
• Automate and streamline administrative tasks to unlock time for strategy and relationship-building.
• Focus on metrics that help gauge tenant sentiment to create long-term engagement.
Success in 2025 won’t just be about managing buildings—it will be about optimizing how property managers focus their time and attention on what truly matters.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Administrative Burden
When more is actually less
Collaboration
tools
Reporting tools required
Unique software tools used to operate building, handle payments, engage tenants and control access.
5.22*
Operational
system tools
Software tools used to pull tenant insights and report to asset managers
3.01*
Unique software tools tenant admins use to collaborate and facilitate the workplace experience
4.81*
The industry faces a profusion of technology solutions for everything from work orders to payments. But there is a risk that these, too, can become just another burden to manage.
Consider the sheer size of the average property manager’s tech stack: 5.22 different operational systems and 3.01 reporting tools used each day. But more tools don’t always mean more time—which is why 32% of property managers are still stuck doing duplicate data entry.
As tech offerings expand, property managers can boldly go the opposite way, consolidating their suite and adding value through subtraction.
Measuring What Matters
Property managers say they want to spend more time on high-level strategy and relationship-building. But with one notable exception, the metrics they track keep them firmly grounded in day-to-day operations.
Beyond financial analytics—their #1 strategic metric—their reporting focuses on operational details but misses high-value insights: less than a quarter say they measure tenant sentiment, tenant app adoption, event attendance, or access control adoption.
These metrics are key to understanding long-term satisfaction, community engagement, and tech modernization–all vital to big-picture planning. Tenants were asked to rank the top metrics that they use to measure their performance.
Striving towards more meaningful reporting
#2
Maintenance equipment records
Work order submissions
#3
Communication engagement
#4
Visitor submissions
#6
Bookings and reservations
#7
Financial analytics
#1
Digital platform adoption
#5
Event attendance
#9
Access control adoption
#10
Focusing on day-to-day activities and immediate performance
Operational
metrics
Focusing on long-term business goals and overall performance
Strategic metrics
Redefining property management through hospitality
Tenant-Centric Evolution
Today, traditional property management is converging with hospitality excellence. This transformation isn't just about providing better amenities—it's about creating an ecosystem of service that transforms tenant satisfaction into lasting loyalty.
Building Community
Property managers are moving beyond traditional tenant service to create vibrant workplace communities through special perks, in-building programming, and engaging event communication. They're also creating a memorable experience with personal touches that promote connection, like greeting people in the lobby.
An emerging retention strategy
How property managers create hospitality-like experiences*
70%
48%
43%
42%
Consistent event communications
Offering tenant perks to residents
Community events and programming
Greeting people in the lobby
Building-wide events
Strategic amenity promotion
Regular satisfaction monitoring
Targeted tenant admin outreach
62%
54%
54%
46%
How landlords are building community and driving retention*
Targeted tenant executive outreach
25%
Understanding Tenant Priorities
A “hospitality-first” approach encompasses seamless service and responsiveness to tenant concerns. But while property managers are largely aware of current tenant challenges, we discovered a gap between what each considered to be top issues. For example, property managers correctly assessed tenant concerns about space utilization and lack of collaborative areas. But they also underestimated tenant frustration with technical experience issues as well as safety and security.
Property managers can address these pain points by tracking how physical spaces are used and prioritizing collaborative areas. Despite this being a top challenge, only 24% of respondents said they actually measured space usage patterns. They also need to be honest about the tenant technical experience: tenants expect and deserve seamless tech solutions, even as property managers continue to grapple with their own tech stack.
Dovetailing between perception and reality
Inadequate space utilization
Lack of collaborative spaces
Environmental concerns
Safety and security concerns
32%
32%
28%
27%
Health and wellbeing
18%
Sub-par building operations
27%
Technical experience issues
23%
Health and wellbeing
21%
Environmental concerns
23%
Sub-par building operations
31%
Inadequate space utilization
37%
Safety and security concerns
40%
Lack of collaborative spaces
42%
Technical experience issues
45%
Tenant challenges: perception vs. reality
What property managers think*
What building tenants say*
The Communication Imperative
Property managers use a multi-channel approach to keep tenants engaged and informed, deploying a mix of email, mobile app communications, and building signage. While email remains dominant, more than half of property managers now use mobile apps to meet tenants where they already spend time–on their phones.
Each channel serves a distinct strategic purpose:
Meeting tenants where they are
Email: Critical updates, formal communications, and detailed information
Mobile apps: Real-time alerts, service requests, and interactive engagement
Building signage: Community reinforcement, wayfinding, and ambient updates
The research also surfaced an opportunity property managers missed: liaising directly with tenant workplace admins. While property managers didn’t consider this to be as vital, tenants actually said it was their #1 preference–even above email and mobile app updates.
The shift toward hospitality-focused operations represents more than a trend—it's a strategic imperative. Property managers who excel are those who can create compelling community experiences, communicate effectively, and seamlessly respond to tenant needs. In 2025, the most successful property managers will be those who can transform buildings from workplaces into thriving communities.
KEY TAKEAWAY
87%
Email communications
Directly updating workplace admins
23%
51%
Mobile app communications
30%
Email
communications
10%
Signage throughout the building
19%
Mobile app communications
34%
Directly updating workplace admins
Managing an expanding digital ecosystem
The Technology Response
Despite the potential of digital tools, property managers are ensnared in an increasingly complex web of technologies. Because managing multiple systems often creates its own operational burden, property managers must be strategic about the tools they use. The research reveals the advantages and challenges of the current technology ecosystem—and a growing appetite for streamlined solutions.
Essential Tools
The core of modern property management
First, let’s look at how technology helps. Property managers have identified which tools are most critical for effective operations. Their top choices include rent/lease payment software, email and communication platforms, and work order software. Less important are visitor management, certificate of insurance, and access management technologies.
Rent/Lease payment collection
#1
Essential platforms
Email/communication tools
#2
Work orders
#3
Accounting
#4
Access management
#5
COI
#6
Visitor management
#7
Most valuable mobile app features*
Submitting operational requests
Receiving building information
Mobile access
control
65%
57%
44%
Space or service booking
Events and perks
access
35%
24%
Mobile Momentum
Mobile applications are augmenting the traditional tech stack to streamline property operations and enhance the tenant experience. Property managers say tenants get the most value out of mobile apps that let them submit operational requests, receive building communications, and access the building and office suite.
Transforming building operations
The Competitive Imperative
Overwhelmingly, property managers dedicate their days to administrative tasks, from managing work orders to juggling invoices and copying data between systems. Shockingly, 33% say they waste vital time on cross-system data entry. That cuts into the high-impact work they wish they were doing, like pursuing strategic initiatives, nurturing tenant relationships, and creating more hospitality-like experiences.
Property managers have options to help streamline tedious to-dos and create space for high-impact activities—but while tech-based solutions may help, they can just as easily get in the way.
Where time goes vs. where it should
Work order management
Invoice and payment processing
Vendor coordination
Cross-system data entry
61%
40%
38%
32%
Where time goes*
Strategic project management and surfacing strategic insights
Providing hospitality-like experiences and promoting content and programming
Direct tenant interaction
75%
59%
44%
Where property managers want to focus*
Integration Challenges
The push for consolidation
While these core tools and a mobile-enhanced tenant experience may be essential to modern operations, managing an average of 5.22 systems also creates significant operational overhead, with a third of respondents saying they spend too much time transferring data from one system to another.
Property managers are seeking out ways to simplify their technology ecosystem, with a clear preference for integrated solutions that increase efficiency, decrease costs, and create a better tenant experience.
Food and beverage ordering
10%
Improved tenant insights
31%
Faster staff onboarding
Cost savings
Better tenant experience
Increased efficiency
65%
63%
55%
34%
Expected benefits of tech integration*
Property managers are at a critical tipping point: they can keep adding tools to an already overloaded tech ecosystem, or they can make the bold choice to simplify, streamline, and ultimately win their time back.
The strong interest in consolidated platforms signals an industry ready for transformation, with property managers seeking to streamline operations and maximize the value of each tool in their arsenal.
KEY TAKEAWAY
To stay aware of industry dynamics, property managers are cultivating well-rounded and diverse information networks, combining formal industry resources with a robust network of professional relationships. In 2025, their competitive advantage comes not just from tracking trends, but from being able to quickly translate market intelligence into actionable strategies that can enhance the tenant experience and increase building value.
KEY TAKEAWAY
LInkedin
#1
Local groups and organizations
#2
Facilities Dive & Executive
#3
BOMA
#4
Professional development channels
Intelligence Gathering
Property managers also engage with industry groups and trade publications to hone their competitive edge. When asked about top ways that they stay abreast of industry happenings, they said they turned to professional networks, local groups and organizations, publications like Facilities Dive & Facilities Executive, and organizations like BOMA.
Top sources for professional development
Staying ahead in a dynamic market
Strategic Intelligence
In 2025's competitive office market, success hinges on more than just building amenities and location. Property managers must adapt to nuanced market trends, innovative competitor offerings, and shifting tenant expectations. The research reveals how industry leaders leverage market intelligence to sharpen their competitive edge and position their buildings for success.
Strength in Numbers
Property managers tap diverse sources to keep pace with market developments, with personal networks playing a crucial role in surfacing new trends and ideas. In fact, property managers prefer personal engagement over any other source, with 64% gathering insights from professional networks, word-of-mouth sources, and conferences and industry events.
Mining insights from personal networks
Primary information sources*
36%
Trade publications
11%
Industry events
52%
Professional networks and word of mouth
Less important
Neutral
Somewhat important
Very important
51%
32%
12%
6%
Importance of competitive awareness
The Competitive Imperative
Understanding market position
Property managers say it’s vital to stay aware of competitor offerings and market innovations, with data revealing it as a strategic priority. In the survey, 82% of property managers said competitor tracking was “somewhat” or “very important,” while only 6% considered it unimportant.
The data underscores a strong call to streamline operations, embrace hospitality, and stand out competitively. With 70% of property managers showing interest in unified platforms, the industry is clearly ready for transformation. But to be successful, property managers will need to take a thoughtful approach that addresses legitimate concerns while delivering clear operational advantages. Those who can successfully navigate this evolution will set new standards for operational excellence in property management.
KEY TAKEAWAY
From fragmentation to integration
The future of property Management
The data reveals that property managers crave time to create hospitality-like experiences, focus on high-strategy work, and invest in meaningful tenant relationships. But their fragmented technology stack–averaging 5.22 different systems–is causing them to toggle between screens, duplicate data entry, and overlook vital strategic opportunities. The need for unified solutions has never been more critical. The research reveals both a strong appetite for change and a clear direction for the future of property management operations.
Barriers to Evolution
Despite strong interest in consolidation, property managers are carefully considering the practical challenges. Those who are not quite ready to make the leap cite trepidation about using a single vendor or losing data on existing systems. Others wonder if it would be worth re-training staff and onboarding and managing a new vendor. And while a majority see the value in consolidation, some still remain reticent–-especially if they’re already invested in their current set of tools.
These insights reveal a pragmatic approach to consolidation, balancing the promise of integration against practical realities. To be successful, property managers must demonstrate clear ROI, develop a robust data migration roadmap, and be ready to retrain and support staff throughout implementation.
Primary concerns around consolidation*
Satisfaction with existing tools
Single vendor risk
Data loss concerns
57%
25%
23%
Retraining challenges
Vendor onboarding and management
19%
15%
Understanding implementation challenges
The Promise of Integration
Overall, property managers see a clear advantage to using integrated systems. They want to transform daily tasks, create efficiencies, grow tenant engagement, and save valuable time and money. For them, it’s clear that fragmented systems are undermining operational excellence–and they are ready to do something about it.
Improved insights
31%
Faster staff training
Cost savings
Enhanced tenant experience
Operational efficiency
65%
63%
55%
33%
Expected benefits of a unified operations experience*
Fortifying everyday operations
The Integration Imperative
Achieving operational clarity
Property managers are ready for streamlined technology solutions, signaling a clear direction for the industry's future. An integrated technology platform would provide property managers with 360-degree insights into operational performance, eliminate manual reporting burdens and data silos, and enable better decision-making based on real-time metrics.
One of the most striking data points from the survey was the level of interest in such a platform: Nearly 70% of respondents indicated that they were either “interested” or “very interested” in a solution that could consolidate access, visitors, work orders, communications, and tenant engagement. The challenge for property managers now will be converting that desire into reality.
Very interested
Somewhat interested
40%
30%
Interested
Not interested
Very uninterested
6%
4%
Disinterested
Neutral
21%
Neutral
Interest in unified platforms
The future of property management is here.
The question is: Are you ready to embrace it?
LInkedin
#1
Local groups and organizations
#2
Facilities Dive & Executive
#3
BOMA
#4
Professional development channels
Intelligence Gathering
Property managers also engage with industry groups and trade publications to hone their competitive edge. When asked about top ways that they stay abreast of industry happenings, they said they turned to professional networks, local groups and organizations, publications like Facilities Dive & Facilities Executive, and organizations like BOMA.
Top sources for professional development
The future of property management
Charting the Path Forward
The 2025 property management landscape reveals an industry at a pivotal moment of transformation. The comprehensive analysis of 400 property managers uncovers a clear narrative: while the scope and complexity of property management continue to expand, the tools and approaches used to manage these responsibilities have not kept pace with evolving demands.
These findings reveal an imperative for operational integration and strategic automation. The challenge isn't just about adopting new technology—it's about transforming how property management teams operate, measure success, and deliver value to both owners and tenants.
60%+
The path forward requires solutions that can:
Consolidate operational systems to reduce administrative burden
Unlock time for strategic tenant engagement
Provide actionable insights for data-driven decision making
Enable seamless communication across all stakeholders
Transform buildings from workplaces into thriving communities
The future of property management is here.
Are you ready to embrace it?
Next up, Chapter 2: Workplace Tenant Insights
Copyright View the Space, Inc. 2025
BACK TO TOP
To promote retention, many property managers are nurturing high-value relationships via targeted messaging and programming for tenant admins (46%) as well as for tenant executives (25%). More than half also tune in to tenant satisfaction (54%) to gauge their success.
This is all about service with a personal touch—and an acknowledgment that community-building and retention depend on small, individual interactions as much as on big building-wide initiatives.
38%
Signage throughout the building
Property managers’ primary communication methods*
Tenants’ preferred communication methods*
strategies. Through comprehensive data analysis, we uncover how property managers are adapting to new challenges, embracing technology, and redefining their roles from building operators to strategic business leaders.
Given these dynamic conditions, property managers must adapt to stay competitive. This report provides a clear roadmap for the year ahead, with actionable insights and data-driven recommendations for property management teams ready to streamline operations, become more strategic, and ultimately create greater value.
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Tenant sentiment
#8
More than 60% of property managers say they spend too much time on work orders, while craving more strategic tenant engagement
Teams navigate an average of 5.22 different systems daily, creating significant operational friction
5.22
70% of property managers are actively seeking unified platform solutions
70%
65% believe consolidated tools would boost their efficiency
65%
63% see direct links between streamlined operations and improved tenant experience
63%
VTS is the industry's only technology platform that unifies owners, operators, brokers, and their customers across the commercial and residential real estate ecosystems.
VTS commissioned an independent study to explore corporate property manager and tenant needs and expectations by surveying over 400 property managers and 400 business leaders. The findings from this research have been gathered into VTS' second Global Workplace Report to inform your 2025 tenant retention and acquisition strategies.
For brevity and impact, we are releasing one chapter of the report at a time. These three chapters are:
Office Property Management Landscape
How are office sector leaders managing their building tenant’s return-to-office initiatives? What workplace investments are they making to retain their talent?
Workplace Business Leader
Which parts have the tenant’s experience with their building and landlord has an outsized impact on tenant sentiment?
Bridging the Gap
How do the expectations of property managers and tenants compare?
The Evolution of Property Manager Responsibilities
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Health and wellbeing
21%
Environmental concerns
23%
Sub-par building operations
31%
Inadequate space utilization
37%
Safety and security concerns
40%
Lack of collaborative spaces
42%
Technical experience issues
45%
What building tenants say*
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
10%
Signage throughout the building
19%
Mobile app communications
30%
Email communications
34%
Directly updating workplace admins
Tenants’ preferred communication methods*
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Technology Response
Rent/Lease payment collection
#1
Email/communication tools
#2
Accounting
#4
Access management
#5
Work orders
#3
COI
#6
Visitor management
#7
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Most valuable mobile app features*
Space or service booking
35%
Mobile access control
44%
Receiving building information
57%
Submitting operational requests
65%
Food and beverage ordering
10%
Events and perks access
24%
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Improved tenant insights
31%
Faster staff onboarding
34%
Cost savings
55%
Better tenant experience
63%
Increased efficiency
65%
Expected benefits of tech integration*
KEY TAKEAWAY
Staying ahead in a dynamic market
In 2025's competitive office market, success hinges on more than just building amenities and location. Property managers must adapt to nuanced market trends, innovative competitor offerings, and shifting tenant expectations. The research reveals how industry leaders leverage market intelligence to sharpen their competitive edge and position their buildings for success.
Strategic Intelligence
Importance of competitive awareness
6%
Less important
12%
Neutral
Somewhat important
32%
51%
Very important
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Primary information sources*
36%
Trade publications
11%
Industry events
52%
Professional networks and word of mouth
Understanding market position
The Competitive Imperative
Property managers say it’s vital to stay aware of competitor offerings and market innovations, with data revealing it as a strategic priority. In the survey, 82% of property managers said competitor tracking was “somewhat” or “very important,” while only 6% considered it unimportant.
Mining insights from personal networks
Strength in Numbers
Property managers tap diverse sources to keep pace with market developments, with personal networks playing a crucial role in surfacing new trends and ideas. In fact, property managers prefer personal engagement over any other source, with 64% gathering insights from professional networks, word-of-mouth sources, and conferences and industry events.
Top sources for professional development
Intelligence Gathering
Property managers also engage with industry groups and trade publications to hone their competitive edge. When asked about top ways that they stay abreast of industry happenings, they said they turned to professional networks, local groups and organizations, publications like Facilities Dive & Facilities Executive, and organizations like BOMA.
Professional development channels
LInkedin
#1
Local groups and organizations
#2
Facilities Dive & Executive
#3
BOMA
#4
To stay aware of industry dynamics, property managers are cultivating well-rounded and diverse information networks, combining formal industry resources with a robust network of professional relationships. In 2025, their competitive advantage comes not just from tracking trends, but from being able to quickly translate market intelligence into actionable strategies that can enhance the tenant experience and increase building value.
KEY TAKEAWAY
From fragmentation to integration
Our data reveals that property managers crave time to create hospitality-like experiences, focus on high-strategy work, and invest in meaningful tenant relationships. But their fragmented technology stack–averaging 5.22 different systems–is causing them to toggle between screens, duplicate data entry, and overlook vital strategic opportunities. The need for unified solutions has never been more critical. The research reveals both a strong appetite for change and a clear direction for the future of property management operations.
The future of property Management
Achieving operational clarity
The Integration Imperative
Property managers are ready for streamlined technology solutions, signaling a clear direction for the industry's future. An integrated technology platform would provide property managers with 360-degree insights into operational performance, eliminate manual reporting burdens and data silos, and enable better decision-making based on real-time metrics.
One of the most striking data points from the survey was the level of interest in such a platform: Nearly 70% of respondents indicated that they were either “interested” or “very interested” in a solution that could consolidate access, visitors, work orders, communications, and tenant engagement. The challenge for property managers now will be converting that desire into reality.
Interested
Somewhat interested
30%
Very interested
40%
Disinterested
Very uninterested
4%
Not interested
6%
Neutral
Neutral
21%
Interest in unified platforms
Understanding implementation challenges
Barriers to Evolution
Despite strong interest in consolidation, property managers are carefully considering the practical challenges. Those who are not quite ready to make the leap cite trepidation about using a single vendor or losing data on existing systems. Others wonder if it would be worth re-training staff and onboarding and managing a new vendor. And while a majority see the value in consolidation, some still remain reticent–-especially if they’re already invested in their current set of tools.
These insights reveal a pragmatic approach to consolidation, balancing the promise of integration against practical realities. To be successful, property managers must demonstrate clear ROI, develop a robust data migration roadmap, and be ready to retrain and support staff throughout implementation.
Fortifying everyday operations
The Promise of Integration
Overall, property managers see a clear advantage to using integrated systems. They want to transform daily tasks, create efficiencies, grow tenant engagement, and save valuable time and money. For them, it’s clear that fragmented systems are undermining operational excellence–and they are ready to do something about it.
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Expected benefits of a unified operations experience*
33%
Faster staff training
31%
Improved insights
55%
Cost savings
Enhanced tenant experience
63%
65%
Operational efficiency
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Primary concerns around consolidation*
57%
Satisfaction with existing tools
25%
Single vendor risk
23%
Data loss concerns
19%
Retraining challenges
15%
Vendor onboarding and management
The data underscores a strong call to streamline operations, embrace hospitality, and stand out competitively. With 70% of property managers showing interest in unified platforms, the industry is clearly ready for transformation. But to be successful, property managers will need to take a thoughtful approach that addresses legitimate concerns while delivering clear operational advantages. Those who can successfully navigate this evolution will set new standards for operational excellence in property management.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The future of property management
The 2025 property management landscape reveals an industry at a pivotal moment of transformation. The comprehensive analysis of 400 property managers uncovers a clear narrative: while the scope and complexity of property management continue to expand, the tools and approaches used to manage these responsibilities have not kept pace with evolving demands.
These findings reveal an imperative for operational integration and strategic automation. The challenge isn't just about adopting new technology—it's about transforming how property management teams operate, measure success, and deliver value to both owners and tenants.
Consolidate operational systems to reduce administrative burden
Unlock time for strategic tenant engagement
Provide actionable insights for data-driven decision making
Enable seamless communication across all stakeholders
Transform buildings from workplaces into thriving communities
The path forward requires solutions that can:
More than 60% of property managers say they spend too much time on work orders, while craving more strategic tenant engagement
60%+
Teams navigate an average of 5.22 different systems daily, creating significant operational friction
5.22
70% of property managers are actively seeking unified platform solutions
70%
65% believe consolidated tools would boost their efficiency
65%
63% see direct links between streamlined operations and improved tenant experience
63%
Charting the Path Forward
The future of property management is here.
Are you ready to embrace it?
Next up, Chapter 2:
Workplace Tenant Insights
Copyright View the Space, Inc. 2025
BACK TO TOP
The Evolution of Property Manager Responsibilities
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Direct tenant interaction
38%
Providing hospitality-like experiences and promoting content and programming
40%
Strategic project management and surfacing strategic insights
61%
Where property managers want to focus*
Maintenance equipment records
#2
Work order submissions
#3
Communication engagement
#4
Visitor submissions
#6
Bookings and reservations
#7
Focusing on long-term business goals and overall performance
Strategic metrics
Access control adoption
#10
Event attendance
#9
Tenant sentiment
#8
Digital platform adoption
#5
Financial analytics
#1
KEY TAKEAWAY
Tenant-Centric Evolution
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
How property managers create hospitality-like experiences*
70%
Consistent event communications
43%
Community events and programming
48%
Offering tenant perks to residents
42%
Greeting people in the lobby
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
How landlords are building community and driving retention*
54%
Regular satisfaction monitoring
Strategic amenity promotion
54%
62%
Building-wide events
25%
Targeted tenant executive outreach
46%
Targeted tenant admin outreach
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Health and wellbeing
21%
Safety and security concerns
40%
Lack of collaborative spaces
42%
Technical experience issues
45%
What building tenants say*
Environmental concerns
23%
Sub-par building operations
31%
Inadequate space utilization
37%
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Health and wellbeing
18%
Technical experience issues
23%
Sub-par building operations
27%
Safety and security concerns
27%
Environmental concerns
28%
Lack of collaborative spaces
32%
Inadequate space utilization
32%
What property managers think*
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Property managers’ primary communication methods*
87%
Email
communications
38%
Signage throughout
the building
51%
Mobile app communications
23%
Directly updating workplace admins
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Tenants’ preferred communication methods*
10%
Signage throughout
the building
34%
Directly updating workplace admins
19%
Mobile app communications
30%
Email
communications
KEY TAKEAWAY
The Technology Response
Rent/Lease payment collection
#1
Email/communication tools
#2
Work orders
#3
Accounting
#4
Essential platforms
Visitor management
#7
COI
#6
Access management
#5
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
35%
Space or service booking
65%
Submitting operational requests
44%
Mobile access
control
57%
Receiving building information
Most valuable mobile app features*
24%
Events and perks
access
10%
Food and beverage ordering
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Expected benefits of tech integration*
31%
Improved tenant insights
34%
Faster staff onboarding
55%
Cost savings
Better tenant experience
63%
65%
Increased efficiency
KEY TAKEAWAY
Staying ahead in a dynamic market
Understanding market position
Mining insights from personal networks
Strength in Numbers
Property managers tap diverse sources to keep pace with market developments, with personal networks playing a crucial role in surfacing new trends and ideas. In fact, property managers prefer personal engagement over any other source, with 64% gathering insights from professional networks, word-of-mouth sources, and conferences and industry events.
Top sources for professional development
Intelligence Gathering
Property managers also engage with industry groups and trade publications to hone their competitive edge. When asked about top ways that they stay abreast of industry happenings, they said they turned to professional networks, local groups and organizations, publications like Facilities Dive & Facilities Executive, and organizations like BOMA.
Linkedin
#1
Local groups and organizations
#2
Facilities Dive & Executive
#3
BOMA
#4
Professional development channels
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Primary information sources*
52%
Professional networks and word of mouth
11%
Industry events
36%
Trade publications
The Competitive Imperative
Property managers say it’s vital to stay aware of competitor offerings and market innovations, with data revealing it as a strategic priority. In the survey, 82% of property managers said competitor tracking was “somewhat” or “very important,” while only 6% considered it unimportant.
Importance of competitive awareness
6%
Targeted tenant admin outreach
12%
Regular satisfaction monitoring
Strategic amenity promotion
32%
51%
Very important
In 2025's competitive office market, success hinges on more than just building amenities and location. Property managers must adapt to nuanced market trends, innovative competitor offerings, and shifting tenant expectations. The research reveals how industry leaders leverage market intelligence to sharpen their competitive edge and position their buildings for success.
Strategic Intelligence
To stay aware of industry dynamics, property managers are cultivating well-rounded and diverse information networks, combining formal industry resources with a robust network of professional relationships. In 2025, their competitive advantage comes not just from tracking trends, but from being able to quickly translate market intelligence into actionable strategies that can enhance the tenant experience and increase building value.
KEY TAKEAWAY
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Operational efficiency
65%
Enhanced tenant experience
63%
Cost savings
55%
Faster staff training
33%
Improved insights
31%
Expected benefits of a unified operations experience*
Very interested
Somewhat interested
40%
30%
Interested
Not interested
Very uninterested
6%
4%
Disinterested
Neutral
21%
Neutral
Interest in unified platforms
From fragmentation to integration
Achieving operational clarity
Understanding implementation challenges
Despite strong interest in consolidation, property managers are carefully considering the practical challenges. Those who are not quite ready to make the leap cite trepidation about using a single vendor or losing data on existing systems. Others wonder if it would be worth re-training staff and onboarding and managing a new vendor. And while a majority see the value in consolidation, some still remain reticent–-especially if they’re already invested in their current set of tools.
These insights reveal a pragmatic approach to consolidation, balancing the promise of integration against practical realities. To be successful, property managers must demonstrate clear ROI, develop a robust data migration roadmap, and be ready to retrain and support staff throughout implementation.
Barriers to Evolution
Fortifying everyday operations
Overall, property managers see a clear advantage to using integrated systems. They want to transform daily tasks, create efficiencies, grow tenant engagement, and save valuable time and money. For them, it’s clear that fragmented systems are undermining operational excellence–and they are ready to do something about it.
The Promise of Integration
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Primary concerns around consolidation*
19%
Retraining challenges
15%
Vendor onboarding and management
57%
Satisfaction with existing tools
23%
Data loss concerns
25%
Single vendor risk
The Integration Imperative
Property managers are ready for streamlined technology solutions, signaling a clear direction for the industry's future. An integrated technology platform would provide property managers with 360-degree insights into operational performance, eliminate manual reporting burdens and data silos, and enable better decision-making based on real-time metrics.
One of the most striking data points from the survey was the level of interest in such a platform: Nearly 70% of respondents indicated that they were either “interested” or “very interested” in a solution that could consolidate access, visitors, work orders, communications, and tenant engagement. The challenge for property managers now will be converting that desire into reality.
The data reveals that property managers crave time to create hospitality-like experiences, focus on high-strategy work, and invest in meaningful tenant relationships. But their fragmented technology stack–averaging 5.22 different systems–is causing them to toggle between screens, duplicate data entry, and overlook vital strategic opportunities. The need for unified solutions has never been more critical. The research reveals both a strong appetite for change and a clear direction for the future of property management operations.
The future of property Management
The data underscores a strong call to streamline operations, embrace hospitality, and stand out competitively. With 70% of property managers showing interest in unified platforms, the industry is clearly ready for transformation. But to be successful, property managers will need to take a thoughtful approach that addresses legitimate concerns while delivering clear operational advantages. Those who can successfully navigate this evolution will set new standards for operational excellence in property management.
KEY TAKEAWAY
The future of property management
*Respondents selected their top 3 answers to the survey question
Importance of competitive awareness*
6%
Targeted tenant admin outreach
12%
Regular satisfaction monitoring
Strategic amenity promotion
32%
51%
Very Important
The 2025 property management landscape reveals an industry at a pivotal moment of transformation. The comprehensive analysis of 400 property managers uncovers a clear narrative: while the scope and complexity of property management continue to expand, the tools and approaches used to manage these responsibilities have not kept pace with evolving demands.
These findings reveal an imperative for operational integration and strategic automation. The challenge isn't just about adopting new technology—it's about transforming how property management teams operate, measure success, and deliver value to both owners and tenants.
More than 60% of property managers say they spend too much time on work orders, while craving more strategic tenant engagement
60%+
Teams navigate an average of 5.22 different systems daily, creating significant operational friction
5.22
70% of property managers are actively seeking unified platform solutions
70%
65% believe consolidated tools would boost their efficiency
65%
63% see direct links between streamlined operations and improved tenant experience
63%
The path forward requires solutions that can:
Consolidate operational systems to reduce administrative burden
Unlock time for strategic tenant engagement
Provide actionable insights for data-driven decision making
Enable seamless communication across all stakeholders
Transform buildings from workplaces into thriving communities
Charting the Path Forward
The future of property management is here.
Are you ready to embrace it?
Next up, Chapter 2: Workplace Tenant Insights
Copyright View the Space, Inc. 2025
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The Technology Response
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Managing an expanding digital ecosystem
Property Manager Responsibilities
The great divide between ambition and reality
Tenant-Centric Evolution
Redefining property management through hospitality
STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE
Staying ahead in a dynamic market
CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD
The future of property management
THE FUTURE OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
From fragmentation to integration
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VTS Activate is built to address these critical needs, offering a unified solution that streamlines operations, enhances tenant experience, and provides the insights needed to drive building value. To learn more about how VTS can help you navigate this transformation and position your properties for success in 2025 and beyond, contact our team at vts.com/demo-request.
VTS Activate is built to address these critical needs, offering a unified solution that streamlines operations, enhances tenant experience, and provides the insights needed to drive building value. To learn more about how VTS can help you navigate this transformation and position your properties for success in 2025 and beyond, contact our team at vts.com/demo-request.
VTS Activate is built to address these critical needs, offering a unified solution that streamlines operations, enhances tenant experience, and provides the insights needed to drive building value. To learn more about how VTS can help you navigate this transformation and position your properties for success in 2025 and beyond, contact our team at vts.com/demo-request.
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