Managed Wi-Fi is the Latest In-Demand Amenity for Renters – But What is It?

Most apartment dwellers are used to having certain things included in their lease. Often, these include utilities such as cold (and sometimes hot) water, trash removal, and if you’re really lucky, gas. While these apartment amenities vary by tenant, building, and state, many landlords usually offer to foot the bill for at least the most basic of day-to-day utilities.

More recently, advances in smart home technology, coupled with an increasing demand for features like smart locks, plugs, and thermostats, have made landlords consider yet another up-and-coming amenity for their properties: managed Wi-Fi.

Usually, tenants are responsible for their own Wi-Fi or broadband network. They, not their landlord, decide on what provider they wish to use, their chosen contracts, and their preferred network capabilities. The Wi-Fi then covers the renter’s own apartment, but doesn’t extend to other public spaces within the building. That means anyone who lives in larger complexes with amenities like public green spaces or fitness centers wouldn’t be able to use their Wi-Fi when outside of their own apartment.

Managed Wi-Fi isn’t something that most tenants would see from their landlords, if, for example, the landlord wasn’t a large property manager, or their apartment wasn’t part of a complex or larger group of properties. But for property managers looking to upgrade their existing properties, managed Wi-Fi is quickly becoming one of the fastest ways to incorporate newer (and smarter) technology.

But what exactly is managed Wi-Fi?

All About Managed Wi-Fi

Unlike unmanaged Wi-Fi, a managed Wi-Fi network functions similarly to an internet service that you sign in to in a public space like a library or hotel. But unlike these more public servers, with managed Wi-Fi in apartment buildings or complexes, residents receive their own distinct piece of the larger network. This also means that renters can access Wi-Fi from anywhere in the apartment complex, a major perk with work-from-home and co-op spaces becoming increasingly common. Want to hit the gym? The managed Wi-Fi will have you covered there. Working from home, but want to use the community courtyard? The Wi-Fi will work there, too, allowing you to manage work tasks without being tied to your apartment — a definite bonus for those spending less time at the office nowadays who don’t want to be constantly confined to their apartments.

Best of all, managed Wi-Fi is also instantly available to every tenant upon moving in. Imagine not having to shop for a new internet provider, then having to wait days (or even weeks!) to get someone to come install it. Experts also say that managed Wi-Fi tends to be more secure. When tenants are responsible for their own networks, they may use outdated equipment or choose unsecure networks. But with managed Wi-Fi, there’s a centralized network that is monitored by experts, who also handle troubleshooting in the event of problems like connectivity and cybersecurity issues.

The Benefits of Managed Wi-Fi

Of late, in-demand amenities for renters have extended well beyond the typical pool or fitness center and journeyed deep into the world of technology. Now more than ever, people are working from home as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence how workers are spending time at the office. Apartment dwellers in particular tend to have less space to work with, making co-op and shared workspaces in apartment buildings more desirable. And advances in technology go hand in hand with these amenities, as many renters would prefer the convenience of property-wide, high-speed, and secure internet service versus being at the mercy of their own spotty service once they venture out the door.

Additionally, more people working from home means there’s a more pronounced strain on existing networks, leading to slower internet and more frustration (we’re speaking from experience here). And as our reliance on smart devices inevitably increases, we’ll only be tapping more and more into our own beleaguered Wi-Fi, and still expecting it to keep up with the demand. But managed Wi-Fi tends to be much easier to, well, manage than individual networks, especially since it’s reliant on monitoring by either an internal or external team appointed by the property manager. Experts estimate that approximately 127 devices connect to the internet every second, and this number will undoubtedly go up as we continue to rely on our smart devices for everything from work to entertainment.

Managed Wi-Fi is one of the newest in-demand amenities for apartment dwellers everywhere. As the workforce shifts to more remote and hybrid work schedules, renters are looking for more technologically savvy options that allow them to work and play more comfortably with a shared network that doesn’t carry the uncertainty of an outdated internet service. And while managed Wi-Fi may currently be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to internet options for tenants, prospective renters should keep their eyes peeled for an increase in this new and in-demand amenity. Be sure to inquire about internet capabilities and managed Wi-Fi options next time you’re looking at an apartment.