When it comes to new construction multi-family (MDU) developments, there are many critical components in terms of telecom infrastructure and deployment that need to be taken into consideration.

Often, elements of telecommunication installations get overlooked as the TCO date quickly approaches and the larger construction milestones are being completed. One of the most important telecom elements within an MDU is the Minimum Point Of Entry or the MPOE. This room is vital and can be considered the heart of the entire telecom infrastructure buildout for the project and it is where all the Service Provider connection points converge onto the Owner’s property from the Right of Way (ROW). The MPOE acts as the handoff point where services are delivered to feed the different buildings, units, and common areas throughout the project. Given this is the heart of the telecom install, it is important to stay up to date with the construction and completion of this building location in preparation for telecom companies so their cabling and equipment can be installed completely in a timely fashion to effectively deliver needed building services on time. 

At RealtyCom we call this telecom milestone “MPOE Room […]

The last decade has seen the rise of increasingly smarter versions of the things we use on a daily basis, from phones and watches to TVs, cars, appliances, and more. With a simple tap on our phones or voice command to Alexa, Siri, or Google, we’re able to control and automate things that enhance our convenience and comfort. And once accustomed to the ease and speed of this technology, it’s hard to go back. That’s why it should come as no surprise that today’s multifamily residents expect to have smart home connectivity in their apartments—and many are willing to pay more for it. 

For owners and developers who want to offer smart home features in their new construction projects or upgrade their existing properties, here are a few things we’d like to share. 

What’s considered a smart home?

Typically, a property owner will want to offer a minimum of (3) devices that are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) to be considered a “smart home” that justifies higher rent when marketing the community. These devices could be a mix of things like door locks, interior or exterior lighting, thermostats, blinds/shades, smart switches/outlets, or leak detection, just […]

Recently the state of Colorado enacted legislation that imposes new lease restrictions for owners/landlords.  Among other things, Colorado House Bill 23-1095 limits the types of fees and charges that can be considered as part of rent, and provides guidelines for tenant fee markups or third-party service charges. We want to make our clients aware of this change, as it impacts the method for charging residents for internet, television, or other broadband services you may provide for your assets located in Colorado.

1. Prohibition of Additional Amounts and Fees as Rent: Under the new statute, owners are prohibited from designating any amount or fee (apart from the set monthly payment for occupying the premises) as “rent.” This means that remedies to collect rent, such as eviction, can only be applied to the agreed-upon monthly rent and cannot extend to other charges. This includes fees for utilities or services and any charge that is not explicitly classified as rent.
2. Prohibition of Tenant Fee Markup or Third-Party Service Charges: The statute also imposes limitations on fee markups or charges for services for which the owner is billed by a third party. The amount charged may not exceed two percent of the […]