The Build-to-Rent (BTR) market has seen significant growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand for rental properties that offer high-quality living experiences. As a BTR operator, differentiating your property and adding value for your residents are critical to staying ahead in this competitive market. One often overlooked but highly impactful strategy is owning passive infrastructure.
Consideration at the development stage
Considering your digital infrastructure, such as, fibre optic cables at the development stage is crucial for BTR owners, as it ensures seamless integration with broader urban systems, enhancing property value and resident satisfaction.
Making the right decision about connectivity solutions and infrastructure at the development stage is crucial for long-term success in the BTR market which is hinted at in the Allsop article. By investing in high-quality, scalable infrastructure from the outset, you ensure reliable, high-speed Internet and seamless integration of smart technologies, which are increasingly vital to residents.
This proactive approach not only enhances the immediate living experience but also significantly reduces future retrofitting costs and disruptions. Additionally, it positions your property to easily adopt emerging PropTech innovations, ensuring sustained value and competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market.
Enhanced value for residents
Owning your passive infrastructure means having full control over the underlying systems that support connectivity and utilities. This can lead to several immediate benefits for your residents:
With control over the cabling, fibre, and other infrastructure elements, you can ensure consistent, high-speed Internet connectivity. This is particularly important in an era where remote work and smart living are so prevalent with advances in technology such as; automated hoovers, pet cams, Alexa and remote smart home controls, these are all becoming the norm and the way people want to live their lives as laid out by The ARL in their article highlighting the 6 pillars as a base to best-in-class residential experience. Reliable Internet service is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity.
By managing your infrastructure, you can optimise costs and potentially explore bulk agreements with service providers. Potential savings can be passed on to residents, making your property more attractive without compromising on service quality. This goes hand-in-hand with future-proofing your asset as PropTech evolves, which is a key topic in CFA Society’s article, highlighting the growing influence.
Owning the infrastructure allows for tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of your residents. Whether it's setting up a dedicated gaming zone with ultra-fast Internet or ensuring seamless connectivity for smart home devices, customization is key to resident satisfaction.
Creating a better ecosystem for technology
A well-maintained, owned passive infrastructure sets the stage for a more advanced technological ecosystem within your property:
From smart thermostats and lighting systems to security cameras and automated access control, smart home technologies thrive on robust infrastructure. With ownership, you can ensure these systems are optimally integrated, enhancing the living experience.
The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, and having a reliable network is essential for these devices to function correctly. Smart sensors for energy management, leak detection, and predictive maintenance can significantly improve operational efficiency and resident satisfaction, as highlighted in the BTR News article.
With control over your network, you can implement advanced security measures to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of your systems. This is particularly crucial as cyber threats become more sophisticated.
Future-proofing with PropTech
As new technologies emerge, your property will be ready to integrate these advancements without the need for costly and disruptive infrastructure overhauls. This scalability is a critical factor in maintaining a competitive edge.
PropTech solutions often focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. By having a strong infrastructure foundation, you can more easily implement green technologies ensuring that net zero commitments are being met and you are meeting the demands of the sustainable conscious residents. Trustek found that 49% of audited buildings are still reading their metres manually, which is a key indicator that a large portion of building operators aren’t getting clear, up-to date information.
Owned infrastructure allows for better data collection and analytics. Understanding how residents use services and amenities can provide insights that drive better decision-making, from optimizing maintenance schedules to planning future enhancements.
The real cost of retrofitting passive infrastructure
Retrofitting passive infrastructure involves significant costs, often encompassing materials, labour, and downtime expenses. Upgrading elements like insulation, windows, and ventilation systems to improve energy efficiency can be financially intensive. The initial investment, while substantial, is offset by long-term savings on energy bills and enhanced property value. Additionally, this applies to connectivity with fibre being controlled by the organisation that installs the lines, unless this is proactively controlled with managed Internet service providers. - Don’t get locked with poorly managed Internet.
This BTR News article states that approximately 25% of the UK population will be working from home on any given day from 2025, we see this trend increasing so it is imperative that building operators address Internet connectivity services at the development stage.
Owning passive infrastructure in your BTR properties is an investment that pays off in multiple dimensions. It not only enhances the immediate value and satisfaction of your residents, but also creates a robust platform for integrating cutting-edge technologies and future-proofing your property. As the BTR market continues to grow, those who invest in their infrastructure today will be the ones who lead the way in providing exceptional, tech-forward living experiences tomorrow.
By taking control of your property's infrastructure, you're not just building to rent—you're building for the future.
Book an appointment with a member of our BTR team and see how we can help you take control.
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