It’s
fair to say that tenants’ needs have changed in recent years. With more people working from home than ever, has your
rental property got the tech to appeal to top tenants?
In the current digital age, there are countless smart apps and
devices that can help your property stand out in a crowded market.
Broadband
Let’s start with the basics. Everyone wants to be connected, so
ensuring you offer the fastest broadband at your property is a must. While
there’s no obligation to provide tenants with broadband, it’s much better to
get it installed before a property is occupied rather than receiving irate
calls from fed-up tenants struggling to connect (or letting them do it
themselves).
Smart meters
If your rent includes bills, then a smart meter is an excellent
way to understand how much you’re paying and identify potential savings.
Similarly, if your tenant is responsible for bills, a smart meter will make
them aware of their energy usage and spending. Smart meters are being rolled
out to anyone responsible for paying energy bills and are an essential
budgeting tool in the current cost of living crisis.
Smart heating
This wireless thermostatic device is a great way to save money
and energy. It allows tenants to control the property’s heating from their
phones, so if they’re going to be home later than expected, they can adjust the
thermostat accordingly. The temperature can be controlled on a room-to-room
basis and uses artificial intelligence to learn people’s heating needs.
Smart doorbells
These not only improve the security of your property but make a
home more attractive to renters as they can see who’s coming and going and manage
deliveries. With the added ability to record and store footage, this is a great
safety feature.
Smart lighting
Smart lighting is a great asset if you own an HMO with communal
areas. It allows you to control the times when lights come on and off or when
motion is detected – saving money and reducing energy expenditure. Landlords of
high-end properties can take smart lighting to another level, offering tenants
mood lighting – all controlled by an app.
Smart smoke detectors
Installing smoke detectors is a legal requirement for all rental
properties. But why not go one step further and install a smart smoke detector
that will notify you if there’s a problem. This is helpful if your property is
vacant or your tenants are away, as you can act quickly to ensure the safety of
your rental.
If you’ve got a property to let
out, contact Ridgewater Sales and letting so
we can find you the right tenants.