Elevate Your Rental: The Unexpected Benefits of Home Elevators (and Essential Safety Tips)

If you hope to boost your rental’s appeal and value in the crowded Miami marketplace, a home elevator could be the answer. Fun, stylish and convenient, adding one will make your property stand out. Discover four key benefits to this investment, plus how to put safety first.

1. Attract a Wider Tenant Pool

A 2022 analysis of America’s housing stock revealed that older renters disproportionately struggle with housing. Twenty-three percent of tenants aged 80 or over have difficulty with housing, and 10%-15% aged 65-79 also experience issues. Home elevators can be a life-changing accessibility benefit for older tenants, which can widen your pool of potential renters.

Convenience is also a major draw, attracting busy families with aging parents or young children, or even people whose older pets struggle to manage stairs. Add in the peace of mind for those who want to age in place, and you can see why your rental would become sought after.

2. Command Premium Rents

A home elevator gives you an edge in Miami's competitive rental market. In luxury rentals, your property will stand out, attracting tenants who value style and ease. For instance, those who love entertaining will appreciate a spacious option for greater catering efficiency during parties or events.

Families or households with seniors will love the safety features of modern home elevators. If you choose a provider with space-saving options, you won’t have to compromise on premium living space.

3. Enhance Your Property’s Value and Marketability

While you are renting out the property, its marketability greatly increases. Renters who might not need lift functionality may still find it appealing, especially now that more people are hoping to age in place.

Home elevators also add to a property’s resale value. Should you sell, you can secure a higher price and potentially a faster sale. If you choose an energy-efficient and sustainable installation, you can save energy costs and highlight an attractive feature to eco-conscious buyers.

4. Future Proof Your Investment

Adding smart technology to your rental is a great way to future-proof it and attract tech-first renters. Smart home elevators can be part of this strategy. The convenience will appeal to your tenants, while for you, features like remote monitoring and predictive maintenance will keep your investment in top shape for longer.

How to Add a Home Elevator to Your Rental

Key considerations include:

• The overall space and layout of each property

• Your budget

• Your target renters

Think about why your ideal tenants would love a home elevator. Is it for safety and mobility, if they are seniors? Is it to complement a high-end lifestyle in a luxury property? Is it the convenience factor for busy families? The answers matter for what kind of installation would work best.

As a first step, consult with a highly experienced company like Residential Elevators for advice on what type of elevator will best fit both your property and your goals for this investment. This market-leading firm is the only one to offer an in-house, full-service solution. Because it handles every step of the process, from custom design and manufacture through installation and regular maintenance, its experts can give you a complete picture of what home elevators can do for your bottom line. 

Solutions for Diverse Properties and Types of Tenants

Home elevators don’t necessarily take up as much space as you think. For smaller properties, PVE manufactures and installs compact, air-powered models that can take up as little as 30” exterior diameter. This is also a good option if you are in a hurry, as installation can take as little as a few days.

If your target tenant market is eco-conscious, you might want to consider an environmentally friendly home elevator. Companies like Nationwide Lifts offer energy-saving models that avoid hydraulic oil and use recycled materials for the cab — definitely an asset for a rental where you already showcase energy efficiency and sustainability. 

Smart installations, like those offered by Cambridge Elevating, offer advantages for tech-first tenants and seniors. These elevators can seamlessly integrate with Alexa or Siri or be operated via an app, handling everything from lighting to climate control. Intelligent sensors reduce service calls and emergency repairs, and give vulnerable tenants even greater reassurance.  

What Are the Safety Features of Modern Home Elevators?

Modern installations are designed to be very safe, with numerous inbuilt safety mechanisms, including:

• Emergency stop buttons for immediate halting.

• Automatic door interlocks to prevent movement when doors are open.

• Battery backup systems for safe operation during power outages.

• Overload sensors to prevent use when capacity is exceeded.

• Child locks to prevent unsupervised access.

• Alarm and phone systems for emergency communication.

  
  

Essential Safety Tips for Rentals

The key safety feature of modern home elevators lies in their professional installation. Only use certified installers and maintenance providers, and schedule regular professional inspections.

Educate every new tenant on safe use and check periodically that they understand and are not misusing the facility. Post clear instructions outside the cab for reference. 

Elevate Your Rental, Elevate Your Returns

Home elevators offer more than convenience — they add prestige, value and long-term appeal to any property. From attracting a wider tenant pool to future-proofing your property, investing in a home elevator could set your rental apart for many years to come.

Evelyn Long is a writer that specializes in housing market trends. She is also the editor-in-chief of Renovated Magazine, where she writes essential resources for renters and homeowners. She has contributed to several other publications like the National Association of Realtors and Realty Executives.