There’s no denying that a smart home makes life much easier for the occupants, making it a good investment for landlords. However, like everything else, it has its pros and cons, and missteps may require troubleshooting. Here are the top 10 smart home mistakes to avoid in your rental property. If you have further concerns, you may discuss these plans with your property manager before investing in smart home gadgets.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Smart Home Mistakes
Using the Same Username and Password
When buying a new device, they often come pre-installed with a default username and password. A terrible mistake some landlords make is not bothering to change these details at purchase or periodically. If you’re not security conscious enough, hackers can gain entry to your smart devices or other apps like your real estate software.
Using an Unsafe Network
Another way property owners can leave themselves open to attack by using an unsafe network. This mistake also applies to tenants since they also log into smart home devices. Connecting to public WiFi or internet servers, you’re not sure of could leave the backdoor open for hackers.
Slacking on Security Updates
It can be annoying keeping up with the latest updates, and some landlords ignore these prompts. However, that is a grave mistake. Developers constantly update their apps to fix bugs and keep your information secure. Consequently, if you fail to download the latest apps, you risk being compromised.
Buying Incompatible Devices
Although many smart devices tend to operate on the same network, there are enough that don’t make you cautious in your selection. Besides being a waste of money, buying two technologies that can’t communicate is frustrating. Hence, you should always check for compatibility.
Buying Devices from Less Reputable Brands
When it comes to something as sensitive as home technologies, you must do your research. Buying devices from less reputable brands could compromise your privacy, security, and quality. Also, they’re more likely to go out of business, leaving you stuck with a useless gadget.
Buying too many Devices at Once
It might seem like a good idea to convert your house into a smart home overnight, but you can quickly go overboard. If you already have a tenant, you risk overwhelming both of you with too many changes. Besides, the upfront costs can also be costly.
Not Considering Internet Speed
Many innovative home technologies rely on WiFi to function, like other devices. During setup, you might find that they work perfectly, but your tenants might complain that they’re too slow. That’s because occupants have connected smartphones, laptops, and other devices that can affect internet speed.
Going for Cheap Instead of Quality
Like most products, smart home devices have a wide price range. Sometimes, cheaper options might seem like the best bet because they save money. However, it’s crucial to remember you get what you pay for. At times, it’s better to save for costlier options that are more secure, convenient, and last longer.
Not having a Backup Plan
Smart home devices can make your life much more straightforward, but that doesn’t mean they’re infallible. Savvy landlords usually put a plan in place for common problems. That might include a backup internet connection or leaving emergency contact information with your tenants.
Overcomplicating the System
During setup, sometimes landlords forget that they won’t be the ones living there. As a result, they might overcomplicate the system by naming devices things only they know or understand. Hence, it would help to keep things as simple as possible.
Pros and Cons of Smart Home
Pros
- Increased Convenience
Smart devices can significantly increase the convenience of the occupants. Smart thermostats, automated sprinklers, and a keyless entry system make it easier to control your house with minimal effort.
- Energy Savings
Another advantage of smart home devices is that they’re often more energy-efficient than their manual counterparts. For instance, smart thermometers can adjust the temperature based on weather or daylight patterns. In the long run, that can save you a ton in heating or cooling bills.
Cons
- Privacy and Security Concerns
Taking some of your home’s controls online leaves it vulnerable to hackers. If you or your tenants are not security conscious enough, you can compromise your private information and safety.
- Compatibility Problems
Not all devices operate on the same network. Thus, to avoid non-communication, you must be mindful of which technologies you can purchase.
Protection and Troubleshooting Tips
Devices Won’t Connect
If you’re having issues with your devices connecting to the WiFi, you should ensure they’re close to the router. If the distance isn’t the issue, you might have to consider switching to another internet provider. Of course, that’s after you’ve ensured your technologies are compatible.
Devices Activate at the Wrong Time
Hypersensitive sensors can make your devices activate at the wrong time. This problem especially applies to surveillance cameras and security systems. A simple reconfiguration of your cameras should fix this issue. If not, you can contact the developer.
How to Prioritize and Budget for Smart Home Upgrades
Do Your Research
If you’re working on a budget, then one of the essential things to do is research. Look for different devices, their alternatives, and their prices. Knowing your options makes it much easier to make an informed financial purchase.
Figure out What You Want
Too many property owners want to be more modern and give no thought to what they want to optimize. You must ask yourself questions like where I would like to save money? Or what would I like to make easier? These questions can guide your decision.
Conclusion
It’s not enough to know the top 10 smart home mistakes to avoid in your rental property; you have to apply them too. Steering clear of these minefields can make your home more secure, protect your privacy, and increase your convenience. If you need assistance creating a budget or troubleshooting issues while you’re away, a product manager can significantly help.
