According to Digitized House, 81 percent of homebuyers say they would favor purchasing a home with smart accessories already installed. Likewise, today’s renters are looking for modern amenities and smart features in their homes.
From Wi-Fi-connected refrigerators, washers and dryers to learning thermostats that adapt to your lifestyle to real-time security systems, smart appliances can make every home more economical and friendlier towards the environment. Smart home technology allows you to control household functions with just the touch of a smartphone button.
If you’re renting, you may not have the flexibility to upgrade your own devices. But if you’re tech-savvy, you may be able to convince your landlord to install smart appliances and turn your apartment into a smart home. Follow these steps to effectively point out how modern systems can save your landlord money and improve the property’s value.
First, do your research
To really make your case, it’s best to walk in there knowing what you’re talking about. Here’s some info for each piece of smart technology you can get.
1. Thermostat
A smart thermostat can help you lower energy bills considerably by determining the ideal temperature of a room and optimizing the heating and cooling system. You can control the thermostat through your smartphone, as well, and adjust the temperature even while you’re away from home.
2. Security system
Smart security systems are highly customizable and connect to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to monitor and control devices, such as indoor and outdoor security cameras, video doorbells, motion sensors and smart locks. You can notify your local police or fire department with just a push of a button. Or, you can subscribe to professional monitoring for your security system by paying a monthly fee.
3. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Alarms are simple to set up and effectively monitor for fires and toxic fumes. In addition to sending you push notifications when they sense smoke or carbon monoxide, you can set up voice alerts, a night-light option, low-battery alerts and a monthly self-test feature.
4. Washer/dryer
Smart washing machines save you money by dispensing the right amount of detergent in each load and with Wi-Fi connectivity, it notifies you when the cycle has ended. Smart dryers are highly efficient and include settings like sensor dry, extended tumble, damp alert and more.
5. Refrigerator
To date, the fridge is the one smart appliance that may not be worth the extra cost. Wi-Fi connectivity is a relatively new feature, so it’s only found on higher-end refrigerators. Smart features include a door-open alert, Wi-Fi-enabled temperature adjustments, and a touchscreen interface that syncs to your smartphone to create grocery lists, notify you about food expiration dates, look up recipes and more.
6. Oven/microwave
A smart oven or microwave allows you to use the appliance remotely or set automatic controls. You can select recipes you’d like to make and the appliances will automatically preheat, cook and turn themselves off when the meals are done cooking. You can set them to keep your meal warm until you’re ready to eat.
Ask to upgrade the appliances that matter most to you
Appliances are expensive and it’s unlikely that your landlord will upgrade them all at once. So, open the discussion with a request for one or two devices.
First, consider the age and condition of each appliance. Then, take a look at which appliances can maximize energy savings. Suggest that your landlord read The Environmental Impact of Using Energy-Efficient Major Appliances.
Offer to research brands and share information
Make the purchase easy for your landlord. If they’re unsure what to look for, help them become familiar with eco-friendly appliances. Look for manufacturers that are highly rated and deliver consistency in reliability. Create a spreadsheet with a few of the top brands and list the prices, models, pros and cons for each appliance.
Use Consumer Reports or other online resources to research appliances and do a cost analysis of potential energy savings.
Show your landlord the benefits for everyone
When it comes to smart home tech, added security is one of the top reasons to make a home smarter. According to Alarms.org, 62 percent of Americans claim that security is the top benefit of owning a smart home.
Installing a home security system will help deter crime, protecting the property and keep tenants safe and sound, and potentially lower the landlord’s insurance costs. Suggest your landlord learn about these systems by reading PC Magazine’s review of the Best Smart Home Security Systems.
Offer to pay more
If your landlord invests money in new appliances, it’s only fair that you pay a bit more rent. As your home becomes more energy-efficient, your monthly utility bills will most likely be lower so, in the long-run, these changes will be a win-win for both you and your landlord.
If you ask for upgrades that include subscription costs, such as security monitoring, you should expect to pay for those additional charges, as well. Offer to pay additional money upfront if you can afford to help offset the expenses of the new appliances for your landlord.
Suggest signing a longer lease
If you’re a good tenant, your landlord probably wants to keep you around. It can take time and money for a landlord to find a new tenant. Offer to sign a lease for 18 or 24 months in exchange for new appliances.
More to know about home automation
While you can use your smartphone to control most smart appliances, a digital assistant, such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home, responds to voice commands and is an inexpensive and portable smart home tech essential that makes it easy to use the latest technology.
When synced with other smart devices in your home, digital assistants turn appliances on and off and even activate security cameras. As the benefits of smart technology and home automation continue to expand in the future, landlords who keep their properties updated will likely attract better tenants.
