Picture this: a prospective renter walks up to an apartment community, taps their phone to unlock a self-show tour, applies for the unit with a single digital credential, and—once approved—uses that same credential to ditch the fob and enter their new home.
This isn’t a distant sci-fi vision; it’s a glimpse of what mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) and digital identity wallets could bring to multifamily PropTech and RentTech. Inspired by Amazon’s bold roadmap to integrate mDLs and the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, multifamily leaders have a unique opportunity to rethink how identity shapes the resident lifecycle. Let’s explore this emerging frontier’s possibilities—and challenges.
Credentialing Self-Show Tours: Trust at a Tap
Self-guided apartment tours have surged in popularity, offering flexibility for prospects and efficiency for property managers. However, ensuring security and verifying identities remain pain points. Enter mDLs: government-issued, cryptographically secure digital IDs stored on a smartphone. Instead of juggling temporary codes or paper IDs, prospects could present an mDL (State of Georgia) to confirm their identity before accessing a unit. The credential could share only what’s needed—a name and a “verified adult” status—keeping personal data minimal and secure.
For multifamily leaders, this could streamline operations while boosting trust. No more chasing down questionable bookings or managing lost access codes. A tap of an mDL via a proptech platform could integrate with existing tour scheduling tools, ensuring only vetted individuals step inside. Imagine the marketing edge: “Tour on your terms, secured by cutting-edge identity tech.”
Applying for Apartments: From Paperwork to Precision
The apartment application process is often a slog—IDs are photocopied, addresses are manually entered, and fraud risks lurk. What if mDLs flipped the script? When a prospect applies, their mDL could transmit verified data—like name, address, and age—directly to the leasing platform. There would be no typos, no fake IDs, just a seamless flow of trusted information.
This aligns with Amazon’s shift from in-house verification to accepting pre-verified credentials. For RentTech, it’s a game-changer: faster approvals, reduced fraud, and a smoother onboarding experience. Bonus points if the mDL links to a digital credit or background check consent, cutting steps while meeting compliance. Leaders could position their communities as tech-forward, appealing to a generation that values speed and privacy.
Replacing Fobs: A Digital Key to Resident Life
Once a lease is signed, the mDL’s potential doesn’t stop. Could it replace fobs, keycards, or app-based entry systems? Picture a resident approaching their building, tapping their phone to unlock the door via an mDL synced to the property’s access control system. The credential could confirm “resident status” without exposing extraneous details, marrying convenience with security.
This speculative leap isn’t far-fetched. Amazon’s 2025 plan to accept mDLs for transactions hints at a broader ecosystem where digital IDs become universal keys. Integrating mDLs into smart locks or gate systems for multifamily could reduce hardware costs (goodbye, fob replacements) and enhance resident satisfaction. It’s a bold pivot from fragmented entry solutions to a unified, phone-based standard. The challenge? Ensuring interoperability with existing tech stacks—but the payoff could redefine resident access.
Beyond the Basics: Speculative Use Cases
The multifamily potential of mDLs stretches further. What about age verification for amenity access, like a rooftop bar or fitness center? An mDL could flash a quick “over 21” signal without revealing a birthdate. Or consider package delivery: a verified address in an mDL could sync with locker systems, cutting misdeliveries and fraud. Even community engagement could benefit—imagine residents using mDLs to vote in HOA elections or access exclusive events, all tied to a trusted identity.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Leadership Imperatives
Amazon’s journey offers lessons for multifamily leaders. Fragmented systems—state-by-state mDL adoption in the U.S. or varied platforms like Apple Wallet—demand flexible integration strategies. Security is non-negotiable; cryptographic validation must be airtight to protect residents and properties. And user adoption? Many still don’t know mDLs exist. Education campaigns—think QR codes in lobbies or leasing demos—will be key to building trust.
Regulatory hurdles loom, too. Privacy laws differ by region, and multifamily operators must navigate compliance while innovating. Yet Amazon’s proactive stance—accepting mDLs early to spur adoption—sets a precedent. RentTech and PropTech leaders can follow suit, partnering with identity providers and tech vendors to pioneer solutions before the market demands them.
The Big Picture: Leading the Charge
Digital identity isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset shift. For multifamily leaders, mDLs offer a chance to solve old problems—fraud, friction, inefficiency—while crafting experiences that resonate with tech-savvy renters. By 2026, as Amazon integrates EUDI and mDLs to gain traction, early adopters in multifamily could set the pace for an industry racing toward more intelligent, more secure living.
The question isn’t whether digital IDs will transform multifamily—it’s who will lead the way.
Will it be you?