What is multifamily dwelling?
Multifamily dwelling (or multifamily housing) refers to any property such as apartments, on-campus and off-campus student housing, active senior living housing, senior living communities, and modular housing.
What makes a TownSteel lock smart?
Simply put, smart locks are a blanket term for any entry system – either the turning mechanism or the entire deadbolt assembly – that’s offline or connected to the internet. Smart locks can eliminate the need for a renter to bring their keys. Reentry requires either a few quick taps on a keypad or unlocking the door with a smartphone app or a key fob.
Smart locks aren’t just great for multifamily housing – they can also allow you to cater to short-term or vacation rentals, where the app behind the smart lock generates a one-time keycode that expires in a set number of hours (or days, if needed) for maintenance, pet walkers, house guests, etc.
What are the benefits of upgrading to smart locks in multifamily housing?
There are immediate benefits from a system that allows residents to go keyless in their daily lives. For instance, the use of smart locks eliminates the need for re-keying locks after move-outs, copying keys, or trying to prevent tenants from making copies. Instead, everything is controlled via the TownSteel app or by going online and using the software connected to the smart lock.
For rental units, maintenance becomes a breeze, making it much easier for plumbers, contractors, and delivery services to access the unit when they need to.
Also, TownSteel designs and manufactures locks with safety in mind, always considering how to mitigate tech-savvy burglars. Plus, we test our locks for durability and reliability, so you can trust TownSteel locks to keep your space secure.
Remember, you get what you pay for, and we have tested and found that cheaper locks may not perform to the tenants’ expectations. So, it’s always a good idea to research a smart lock maker’s bona fides. For those who are interested, we invite potential customers to visit our TownSteel facility in southern California. We will be happy to discuss all of TownSteel’s multifamily housing entrance hardware options with you.
Smart Lock Questions for Property Owners and Managers
In addition, here are some excellent questions that property owners and managers should ask when they evaluate different smart locks on the market:
- Is this an add-on smart lock that only replaces the turning mechanism? Or will it replace all the existing lock hardware, including the internal deadbolt?
- How robust is the hardware? Can it stand up to extreme weather conditions and wear-and-tear?
- Is there a dedicated smartphone app that controls the smart lock?
- Will your online smart lock send a notification to users when the door gets opened?
- Is there a customer support team to help troubleshoot issues with the smart lock?
- Will the manufacturer stand behind the lock (meaning will they honor their warranty)?
At TownSteel, we have spent a lot of time visiting property managers and owners. One takeaway we’ve noticed is that successful owners and managers have learned how to pivot into the future by transforming and adapting to what tenants and staff need and expect.
We don’t just focus on the appeal of our products. Instead, we take a deeper dive into the issues property owners face. Here are eight specific challenges for property owners we’ve uncovered:
- Hiring and maintaining quality staff
- Damage and maintenance costs
- Growing revenue
- Smart technology
- Finding and keeping tenants
- Managing tenant complaints
- Effective marketing
- Communication to staff/tenants
We can all agree that there is a paradigm shift in the housing market. No longer is building aesthetics the only significant feature. Instead, is this a property where tenants feel safe and secure and have a better quality of life? This tech-savvy generation expects more.
Tenants should be able to get what they want when they’re willing to pay for it. Also, when people are willing to pay for amenities and other benefits, the question becomes: are you providing the experience they want?
In a recent visit to Frisco, TX, we found renters looking for comfort, convenience, and connections with other people. This community atmosphere starts with tenants feeling safe in their apartments. So the notion that multifamily housing tenants don’t appreciate safety is untrue. Furthermore, tenants will pay higher rent if they know they’re getting what they want.
This generation of renters likes to shop online and look at what you can provide them long before they walk into your leasing office. So a prospective tenant has likely viewed your specs on Zillow, Apartment.com, and other websites.
It is also essential to understand that the notion of tenants just being a commodity is simply an outdated business mode. Remember, if you are not giving your tenants what they want from multifamily housing, someone else will.
TownSteel Leads with Safety
In a recent survey about neighborhood requirements, safety ranked first for tenants. Living in a safe neighborhood was at the top of the list (67 percent listed safety as a requirement). Following this statistic was the importance of being in a secure building (46 percent listed a secure building as a requirement). Next was the preference of being in a preferred neighborhood (28 percent listed this requirement). Last is the topic of residing in a desired school district (only 19 percent listed this as a requirement).
Why TownSteel E-Genius?
Now that multifamily housing is clearly playing a central role, trending as a top choice for both younger and older generations, it is more important than ever to provide the best safety solutions possible.
We know that TownSteel’s E-Genius 5000 Series Grade 1 Interconnected Smart Lock (4″ On Center w/Bluetooth-Flat Black) is part of that solution. This one-of-a-kind electronic lock also carries the ANSI/BHMA A156.12 Grade 1 Certification.
Typically, traditional electronic locks require a lever or deadbolt, which cuts your security in half. But not anymore! The E-Genius is an interconnecting lock that does NOT require extra hole drilling. Just two standard 2 1/8″ holes that any standard door should have.
Then, ta-da! This innovation has successfully provided intelligent security for multifamily dwellings. As a result, people can relax and enjoy their privacy or venture out and meet their neighbors in a secure and safe community.
