EDITOR ' S QUESTION
LUCAS HALDEMAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF SMARTRENT
Operating costs can have a profound impact on rental housing affordability , so deploying technologies that reduce operational expenses is a great way to drive housing accessibility . Smart Home solutions that decrease energy consumption and PropTech that makes on-site teams more efficient directly decrease operating costs and contribute to housing attainability .
While there is value in implementing solutions at scale , technology deployments should be tailored to optimise the individual performance of each property . The most powerful drivers of operational efficiency at the property level are technology solutions that serve a primary function while also complementing or enhancing other PropTech . Those synergies between tech solutions establish efficiencies and create an Internet of Things ( IoT ) that delivers benefits greater than the collective sum of its parts .
Smart thermostats , lighting and electrical outlets each save on utility costs , but when linked through a smart hub such devices take energy efficiency to another level . A single source of control for Smart Home devices not only increases visibility into energy usage but empowers operators and residents alike to dial in settings for the greatest cost savings .
Smart access controls can be customised by community to create greater autonomy for residents and save time for on-site teams . They also enhance self-guided touring platforms by enabling operators to issue temporary access credentials , allowing prospects to seamlessly navigate the community and view specified homes and amenity spaces without being accompanied by a leasing associate . Smart access controls also allow prospects to tour after hours or on days when leasing offices are closed , saving money and team members ’ time .
Mobile maintenance workflow platforms enhance the productivity of service teams by enabling maintenance technicians to remain in the field , improve response times and streamline task management . AI-equipped workflow platforms strategically assign maintenance tasks to either the technician in closest proximity to the job or a team member with the required skill set or certifications , reducing transit time and labour costs and ensuring the work is done right the first time .
Efficient communities bolster affordability and help to create more dynamic and accessible housing markets . The ability to pass through operational savings to residents results in lower rents helps to address housing attainability on a larger scale .
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