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**Getting the Most Out of Multifamily Shared Printers**
*By Connect CRE Staff*
Mention the phrase “multifamily amenities,” and most people immediately think of resort-style pools, rooftop decks, yoga rooms, and coffee bars. Often overlooked, however, is the humble on-site printer — a surprisingly valuable asset in residential communities.
Ben Meth, Senior Director of Sales at WithMe Inc., believes that while not glamorous, a shared printer can significantly enhance the residential experience.
“A pool might be used a handful of times in a season,” said Meth. “Access to a reliable printer supports needs that come up week after week.”
### The Problem with Traditional Printer Setups
Printers have long been a staple in apartment business centers. However, Meth notes that they’re often managed inefficiently. In many cases, leasing teams are left handling tasks like printing forms for residents, adding to their workload. More concerning are the potential privacy issues when sensitive documents containing personally identifiable information (PII) are not properly deleted, increasing the risk of data breaches or misuse.
Some communities designate a “business center” equipped with a shared desktop and printer. However, these setups often require flash drives or manual software installations on unsecured computers — creating additional security risks and user inconvenience.
“The process is inconvenient, plagued by frequent equipment failures, and leads to unclear costs that frustrate both staff and residents,” Meth said.
### If Shared Printers Are Flawed, Why Not Buy One?
While individuals can purchase personal printers — with base models ranging from $80 to $400 — hidden costs quickly add up.
“Ink is notoriously overpriced, paper always seems to run out at the worst time, breakdowns require time-intensive troubleshooting, and most residents don’t want to sacrifice space for a device they barely use,” explained Meth.
Home printers may also present privacy concerns. Some models are known to collect and store user data, and in some cases, even sell it. This could be risky for residents printing sensitive documents like financial records or IDs.
### Elements of the Ideal Shared Printer Setup
Creating a well-functioning shared printer setup in an apartment community requires more than simply purchasing a machine. According to Meth, there are three essential components:
**1. Reliability**
A dependable printer should function smoothly in the background without frequent breakdowns. Services like PrintWithMe offer cloud-based platforms to ensure that printers are functional whenever needed — without burdening on-site staff.
**2. Simplicity**
The user experience should be intuitive and seamless. Today’s residents expect digital convenience — they want to press “print” and retrieve a document effortlessly.
**3. Security**
On-site printers must protect residents’ sensitive information. This means automatic safeguards and end-to-end encryption to ensure personally identifiable information is not stored or exposed. Meth emphasizes that while multifamily isn’t regulated under HIPAA or FINRA, residents increasingly expect a similar level of data protection.
### A Smart Investment for Operators and Residents
Meth believes that thoughtfully implemented, shared printers provide a strong return on investment, both in tenant satisfaction and operational efficiency.
“As multifamily communities grapple with high turnover and rising costs, owners and operators are realizing that the amenities residents truly depend on — the ones that make everyday life easier — quietly deliver the strongest ROI,” he said.
By choosing cloud-based solutions that offer supply automation and live support, on-site teams are freed from technical troubleshooting and manual upkeep.
Well-managed shared printers do more than just reduce operational headaches — they can help attract and retain tenants while offering a modern, functional amenity that adds real value.
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*Ben Meth is the Senior Director of Sales at WithMe Inc.*
*An earlier version of this article appeared on ApartmentBuildings.com.*
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