This week the UK Government announced that the we could return to some form of normality in June 2021. The news is welcome after almost a year of restrictions & intermittent lockdowns. But, with many of us working from home (WFH) successfully for such a prolonged period of time, can we really expect things to go back to the way they were before?
To many, the idea of returning to commuting with delayed, busy trains or sitting in traffic seems unfathomable. And, employers who have coped well without an office might be wondering why they’re spending so much annually on their lease. And, besides the economical benefits, there are of course the environmental aspects to consider too. Less carbon footprint from commuting & international travel for example.
It would be fair to state that Covid has accelerated the trend for WFH. If not as a permanent measure, it seems likely that many of us will have the option to WFH (or remotely) more frequently moving forward.
This raises the question… What can BtR’s incorporate to ensure they are fulfilling tenants new requirements for WFH following the end of the restrictions?
Technologies Required in BtR to WFH:
1. Reliable Communal Wi-Fi?
For tenants to WFH efficiently, strong internet access is crucial. We all know the frustration that comes from buffering, lagging Zoom meetings & VPN connections dropping out. If your development offers communal Wi-Fi, ensure that it is reliable… or be honest if it isn’t! Reliance on a strong internet connection will vary from tenant to tenant. No one wants to get trapped into a contract with a supplier who can’t meet their demands – & they’ll resent their landlord if it was recommended!
With a predicted increase in people WFH long term, the usual peak times of heavy internet usage may change – permanently. Monitor usage & analyse your data to work out the building’s best course of action. Having the option to WFH comfortably could be the deciding factor for tenants when it comes to lease renewal.
2. Distributed Antenna System
Due to the size and prospective population of a BtR, internet and phone signal will inevitably fall in quality. This is where a Distributed Antenna System comes into play. It is simply a cellular signal amplifier. It captures the signals outside the development with the aid of a donor antenna. This passes the signals to an amplifier that boosts weak signals and redistributes them through a network of broadcast antennas.
Ensuring the implementation of the Distributed Antenna System guarantees reliable internet and phone signal within the development. Imperative to tenants who take a lot of business calls.
3. Smart Home Technology
Covid put hygiene under the spotlight. Many of us might marvel at the memories of touching things in public places & not immediately smothering our hands with sanitiser. There is a good chance that this awareness will continue to be at the forefront of people’s minds when returning to using public spaces – or amenity spaces.
With smart home technology, tenants can move around the development effortlessly, without the need to touch anything. Keyless entry, building sensors to notify maintenance issues and automatic doors are all relatively common technologies that can make tenants feel more comfortable when making the transition back to public life. See also point 5.
4. Working from Home Ammenity Space
Many of us will have experienced blurred lines between WFH space & living space. For many, especially renters in cities, an extra room or space just for an office is out of the question. B.C (before Covid), sidestepping the office to work from your favourite local coffee shop would have felt glamorous. But, the reality of WFH when the World has closed for business is; working from bed, working from dining table, working from sofa… you get the idea.
Once amenity spaces are able to open, there could be a surge in demand for WFH space. Supplying tenants with what they’re lacking in their living spaces will be very appealing to them. For example; large desks, chairs with back support, large monitors & HDMI cables they can connect their laptops to – plus mouse and keyboard. And, don’t forget a plant or two for improved productivity & mental wellness!
5. Live App Updates
With point 4 in mind, a higher demand for amenity space – and therefore less availability, could leave tenants feeling frustrated.
To provide a form of crowd control, live app updates help provide real time information. Tenants can check the number of people using an amenity space within the development before visiting.
A great example of this is, the technology company Build-link that enables the user to ask Alexa how busy areas of the building are. She will answer you based on fobs used to gain access over the last few hours. This service ensures tenants can properly schedule their activities around these live updates. Saving time, and enabling working from home with fewer distractions.
Conclusion
There is no denying that the aftermath of COVID-19 will bring about a paradigm shift. With less working in offices & more WFH. The latter has shown to be just as effective as the former. In addition it benefits not only human health, but the earth and our environment. Putting the above ideas into context, BtR developers integrating such technologies, will no longer be adding extras considered to be a luxury, but an absolute necessity in the near future.
UK Build to Rent recommends Wired Score who will rate and review just how well adapted a building is to increase its technology offering in new builds and old. We have no affiliation with the companies we have mentioned here today – we just think they’re top of their field!
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