INTERNET IMPORTANCE TO LANDLORDS

In today’s world, having superlative internet to an MDU is essential for apartment rentals for several reasons:

1. Developers need a strong differentiator to the units across the street. Where old copper network exists, the new fiber completely outperforms. Tenants working from home, know this. They will flock to the units with robust internet. Many businesses of employees working from home, require internet security. For this reason, the first question asked by a prospective tenant when renting? Is it fiber? Is it secure?
2. Remote apartment management requires a good internet connection. Rent collection, maintenance coordination, lock-outs and lease agreements can all be handled remotely.
3. Smart Apartments with IOT functions won’t run effectively on legacy, copper network with little bandwidth. Keyless entry, security cameras (at high resolution) and parking garage functions become seamless with big internet bandwidth. Thermostats and lighting are the new normal for tenants. Ubiquitous WiFi around the property is a standard.
4. Streaming video is an internet suck. A typical TV runs at 7 megabits. A TV running at 4k can eat 25 megabits. 3 TV’s in a modern, two-bedroom will pull 75 megabits before you can say “Spinning Beach Ball of Death.” Without modern fiber network into an MDU, expect this to be a regular event. Usage is exploding, 35% per year, historically; now a radical, hockey stick incline curve with the advent of AI. MDU internet “just getting by” will be way behind in a year; tenants fleeing.

Overall, a reliable internet connection is no longer just a luxury but a necessity in the world of apartment rentals for tenant draw, effective marketing, communication, and management. Landlords ignoring this fact are sure to have skyrocketing vacancies.

Bobby Vassallo, Dallas