Turning Your Rental Property into a Smart Home

Installing smart home technology is an immediate way to upgrade a rental property, no matter if it’s a single family home or an apartment unit. Either way, connected devices and appliances that can be accessed remotely via a smartphone or a tablet offer convenience, cost savings, and efficiency for your residents. Some of the most common advantages include:

• 24/7 assurance. Because smart home technology can be monitored remotely, users have the power to double-check if their door is unlocked or the heat is on by simply checking an app on their device when away. Property managers can also remotely monitor assets like water irrigation systems or HVAC units to detect an issue that needs immediate attention.
• Convenience. Turning the heat up before they head home. Making sure the lights to the garage are illuminated before they pull in their car. Programming their favorite music while their hands are tied up cooking. These are one of hundreds of scenarios that improve the lifestyle of users.
• Cost savings. Smart home technology can power devices only when they are needed, which helps save both natural resources and money. A smart irrigation system, for example, will water only when needed and with the exact amount of water necessary. Smart lighting systems likewise will illuminate brightness when needed or according to the level of daylight.

Affordable rental home upgrades like smart home technology give both property owners and residents greater control over the key areas that make the home functional. Examples of smart home technology include:

Smart water detection sensors. Property managers can save thousands of dollars through these sensors that fire off alerts in the presence of leaks, water damage, or changes in humidity that could lead to dangerous moisture.

Smart lighting systems. Both indoor and exterior lighting can be adjusted according to need, the time of day, or the changing availability of natural light – all of which creates savings for both users and property owners.

Smart thermostats. By optimizing temperature settings, property owners can reduce wear and tear on their costly HVAC systems while at the same time aligning to the natural habits of the resident. The technology also can offer helpful reminders, such as alerting when it’s time to change filters. Now, property managers can have greater control and visibility over the HVAC system, which will ultimately lead to cost savings.

Smart locks and security systems. Break-ins and vandalism threaten the health and safety of your residents and the integrity and value of your property. Smart locks operate by passcodes, which means property managers will no longer be asked to scramble for lost keys or be present to let in residents. Smart locks also help with turnovers – within seconds you can invalidate the old passcode in favor of one for your new residents. Finally, smart locks make scheduling vendors easier – just give them the passcode so they can let themselves in to complete the job.

Smart smoke detectors. With fire, you can’t leave anything to chance. Smart fire detectors not only generate a sound alarm in the presence of smoke, but property managers will get both voice and smartphone alerts, which is especially critical if the resident is not home at the time. With more ways to alert parties inside and outside the property, you’ll lessen the potential for damage.

Smart doorbells. If residents can monitor who is at their doorstep, they’ll feel safer in your property. Smart doorbells allow them to monitor their front door even if they are not home. Property owners and managers can do the same; they’ll have a permanent record of front porch activity, which helps increase safety and reduce crime.

Smart household monitors. Alerts to property owners and managers can help reduce time in case of an emergency, such as freezing pipes or water failures, while giving them information to proactively address issues before they become burdensome.

Make Your Property Smarter
When you retrofit your rental property with smart technology, you’ll see the benefits from day one. Now only will you gain greater control of the assets that run your property, you’ll soon reduce risk by taking preventative measures that will both solve issues before they become emergencies and extend the life cycle of your assets to its fullest.

The cost savings will also become evident; smart lighting, thermostats, and other systems are designed to use resources only when needed. Not only will your residents appreciate the modern upgrade, but you’ll appreciate the reduced costs along the way.

Contact Lessen
Lessen’s extensive vendor network of 30,000 specialists across 55 trades is available around the clock to successfully complete your rental property renovations, no matter what it is. No matter where your single family rental is located, we have relationships with specialists nearby to get your job done. Let’s talk!

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