How technology is helping landlords

Let’s look at the five most useful technology aids for buy-to-let landlords, and assess how they can make life easier:

1.       Smart locks

With smart locks, keys are a thing of the past as entrants use a digital passcode to gain access – meaning, there’s no need to hide a key under the doormat or plant pot. Smart locks give landlords more control over who enters a property, which is ideal for managing properties such as student accommodation or short-term lets.

2.       Smart meters

Smart meters are replacing old gas and electric meters so there’s no need to have someone come round to take a physical reading. Data is transmitted automatically and more accurately, ensuring bill estimates are more accurate. Landlords can make use of smart meters to track usage, which is especially helpful when bills are included in monthly rent charges.

3.       Smart smoke detectors

Another safety measure a landlord may choose to install is smart smoke detectors, which can be particularly useful when a property is empty. Smart smoke detectors can send real-time alerts to a smartphone, so if a fire is detected, action can be taken immediately. 

4.       Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats are a very handy energy-saving feature. These AI devices learn when heating needs to be on and when it doesn’t. Some landlords also use smart thermostats to control their rental properties central heating and hot water remotely from their smartphone.

5.       Smart lighting

Smart lighting is a no-brainer. LED lights are far more energy-efficient and many bulbs have a rated lifespan of up to 50k hours, which equates to more than 11 years under normal usage. Smart lights take this a bit further, by making it easier to control a property’s lighting. Features include motion-detection, so lights automatically turn on and off, and customisation.