Tech Concierge Services

05 / 29 / 12

2 min read

Mints on the pillow are no longer sufficient when the home automation is waiting to be configured.

In a market that is burgeoning with new and innovative rentals, setting your property apart from the crowd requires insight into tenants’ most basic needs as well as their superfluous desires. Multifamily firms are devising creative ways to make a rental more than a home. Properties are taking notes from the hospitality industry to gain a competitive edge.

For decades now, concierge services have been available to tenants to provide information, make reservations, pick up deliveries and otherwise act as personal assistants. Today’s concierge services are undergoing a tech-savvy transformation.

Electronics have become an inseparable part of tenants’ living experience. Furthermore, integrating technology into multiple facets of homes—from the living room to the kitchen and bathroom—is a standard practice. And a pain. Many tenants would avoid the beastly tasked of installing and configuring electronics if they could. Now, they can.

The popularity of technical concierge service grows as managers realize the value that they add to a property. Common services include:

Cable and internet installation
Install and sync home automation devices
Create home networks for computers
Mount televisions, speakers, and control panels
Configure home entertainment systems
Assist with troubleshooting computer problems
24 hour technical assistance for computers and home automation devices
System clean up (viruses, spyware, defragging, etc.)

Tech concierge best practices have yet to be established. Larger communities may find it worthwhile to have on-site technicians to handle leasing office operations as well as new resident services. In other cases, it may be more efficient and cost-effective for properties to establish a contract with a third-party provider.

Billing methods would depend on whether the services are provided in-house or through a third party. Flat rates tend to work best for installation services whereas hourly charges may be more lucrative for troubleshooting and tech assistance, particularly with an established minimum.

Like fitness centers and community lounges, tech concierge services are well on their way to becoming a standard in the industry. The properties to lead the way in local markets stand to reap the rewards of their forethought.

What concierge services are you considering offering tenants at your multifamily property?

AUTHOR

Erica Rascón specializes in online content creation and social media. She joined Yardi in 2011 after receiving her bachelor's degree from Kennesaw State University and serving in the Peace Corps. Erica's interests include sustainability, philanthropy, and the arts.