House in Multiple Occupation and Smart Thermostats

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) refers to a property occupied by three or more tenants, who are not members of the same household. These properties are usually rented out to students or young professionals. HMOs are common in urban areas and are often rented out by landlords who specialise in this type of property.

Most tenants of houses in multiple occupation prefer HMOs that offer all-bills-included packages, as it reduces the hassle of managing multiple utility bills and provides a more streamlined rental experience. Many HMO landlords have responded to this demand by offering all-bills-included rent to their tenants. Read more about whether HMOs should be all bills included, in our What Does HMO Stand For, article.  

Providing all-bills-included can come with its own challenges, such as spiralling energy bills. A solution to this problem is the implementation of smart thermostats, which can help regulate energy consumption and provide valuable data to landlords, allowing them to make informed decisions about energy usage and costs.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of smart thermostats for HMO landlords and the role they play in improving the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of HMOs.

Smart Thermostats; A Solution for HMO Landlords

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, and the use of smart technology in houses in multiple occupation have proven to be highly beneficial for HMO landlords. Smart thermostats can not only regulate the temperature and energy consumption of the property, making it more efficient and cost-effective, but they can also provide valuable data to help HMO landlords make informed decisions about future energy consumption.

Advantages of Smart Thermostats for HMO Landlords:

• Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings: The use of smart thermostats in HMOs can prevent the heating from running unnecessarily. This leads to a reduction in energy consumption and lower energy bills. Landlords of larger HMOs with multiple tenants can expect to see significant savings.
• Convenient Remote Control: With the ability to control the temperature of the property remotely, landlords can easily adjust and manage the heating system from a distance. The settings can only be altered by the account holder, ensuring that the heating is only used as needed. However, on most smart thermostats, tenants have access to a boost feature to turn on the heating outside the normal schedule, this can usually be deactivated by the landlord.
• Insights into Energy Usage: Smart thermostats can gather and provide valuable information about energy consumption and usage patterns. This data can be beneficial to landlords as it can assist them in identifying any problems or inefficiencies with the heating system. By using smart thermostats, landlords can monitor key metrics such as the frequency of boiler usage, the duration of heating, and the temperature being maintained in the property.
• Additional Security Features: Many smart thermostats come with fully lockable features, preventing tenants from changing the heating settings. Tamper alerts also let landlords know if tenants have tried to access the device’s features, providing an extra layer of security.

Smart Thermostats and Managing HMO Tenants

As a landlord of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), it is important to have a clear and effective strategy for managing the heating and your tenants in your property. By following best practices, you can ensure that your tenants are comfortable and that you are saving money on energy bills. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
 

• Clearly Communicate Heating Guidelines: Make sure that your tenants understand your heating policies, such as the hours during which heating is available, how to adjust the temperature, and any restrictions on usage. This can help prevent confusion and disputes over the use of heating.
• Set Fair Heating Times: Determine fair heating times that work for both you and your tenants. Some HMO landlords may choose to provide heating only during the evenings and mornings, while others may offer 24/7 heating. Whatever your decision, make sure it is clearly communicated to your tenants.
• Encourage Energy Efficiency: Encourage your tenants to be mindful of energy usage by providing them with information about how to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. Consider providing them with energy-efficient appliances or offering incentives for reducing energy usage.
• Be Responsive to Tenant Requests: If a tenant requests a change in temperature or heating schedule, be responsive and make the necessary adjustments. This can help maintain good tenant relations and ensure that everyone is comfortable in the property.

Conclusion

Smart thermostats are a must-have for a landlord of a house in multiple occupation. The implementation of these innovative devices provides numerous benefits for both landlords and tenants. From reducing energy consumption and costs to providing convenient remote control and valuable insights into energy usage, smart thermostats are the solution to HMO landlords’ energy management challenges.

Moreover, with smart thermostats, HMO landlords can encourage energy efficiency, maintain good tenant relations, and ensure that everyone is comfortable in the property. The use of smart technology in HMOs not only makes life easier for landlords, but it also makes the rental experience more streamlined and enjoyable for tenants.

If you are looking for HMO lettings or HMO property management in South London, or if you require general HMO advice, feel free to contact us.