Do you provide internet to your tenants?

Question

These days almost everywhere in the country, rental properties (Especially MFR) are in fierce competition. Slashing monthly rent, offering 1st month free and other incentive becoming more and more frequent. One of the incentives some MFR owners/ landlord offer these days is high speed internet service. It is a fairly inexpensive service that many tenant may find very attractive.

I found two articles about internet tenant protection setup that some of you may find interesting:

http://ask-leo.com/how_should_i_protect_my_network_and_computers_from_my_guests.html

http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_protect_users_on_my_network_from_each_other.html

Check it out.

Sean Taylor · Answer

Eddie, thanks for the response.  I'll have to use some of you verbiage as it hits the major concerns.

In regards to the IP address being traced a couple techie comments.  My understanding is that if you're using a Linksys type wireless router that it actually only has one "True" IP address.  Meaning your provider assigns a single IP address to you.  The router uses what is called NAT (network address translating) to assign sub address to each user. (192.168.1.x)  These addresses are dynamic and change everytime someone turns there computer on and off.

Long story short.  If you are living in your unit and renting one of the other units, it's very likely the FEDS would not be able to distinguish whether you or your tenant were using the internet for illegal uses without doing a datamine on your HD.  Very slim chance, and I haven't seen many cases like this, but nonetheless an interesting thought to keep in mind.

Timothy W. · Answer

That's all I need, my tenants spending their rent money on internet porn.

Account Closed · Answer

I have SFH so I have them wired for cable and internet, but the tenants pay their own.

I think it is an excellent idea for an apartment building, if you can get a good package deal from your internet provider.

As far as I can tell, even the poorest of the poor all have a computer and internet, so it would be a desirable amenity.

All the motels around here, even the $20 a night ones, offer free wireless, so it must be possible to get a bulk fee for a very reasonable cost.

Eddie Ziv · Answer

Sean this is all true, however, a profiler would be able to find the true culprit. I bet that if there is a problem and you are contacted, the first thing the authorities would do, is confiscate your conmputers and your tenants' computers. I can almost guaranty that they would find what they want based on the stuff that is on the hard disk. I am not too concerned. Any person who engages in illegal cyber activity, that activity is more than just likely to spill over onto his hard drive and would not be limited to the internet.

Lee G. · Answer

I do but then I rent exclusively to students so it's expected. I get a fiber connection and a wireless router so it costs me about $12/unit/month.

Eddie Ziv · Answer

The only thing I specified in my lease is that the service is provided as courtesy and that I should not be held liable to the deficiency in quality, strength, or any outage of the service. I also specify that the service is for a normal use only and any abuse of the bandwidth would result in termination of the service. I use Time-Warner and the service is good. With regard to other abuses (Child porn, illegal downloads, etc) Those can be traced to a specific IP which every computer connected to the router have. It is however a good thing to add to the lease. 
I do have an "umbrella" clause in my lease that any illegal activity would constitute a breach of contract and result in immidiete eviction.

Sean Taylor · Answer

Great topic.  I've been thinking about this as well for a two flat I'm purchasing.  Couple questions.  What do you guys put into your leases?  Do you have a clause stating you are not responsible for service outages?  The comcast internet in Chicago is horrible, and mine goes out a couple times a month.  I don't want tenates not paying rent because they're internet isn't working.

Also, something to think about.  How is liabiity handled.  For example if the account is in your name, and one of the tenants is looking at child pornography or downloading bootleg bittorrent programs.  Are you liable?

Everyone needs internet, and sharing it makes sense.  Seems to be a great way to entice tenants by lowering their monthly expenses.

FYI- I'm looking into the new 4G Clearwire solution.  You can get a two device package for around $60.  One device is fixed, and would support the units.  The other device is a laptop modem, which the landlord can use.  Pretty sweet!

Eddie Ziv · Answer

I don't offer internet service in any of my SFR, but since I have two rented guest units attached to my residency, (I call it my "Triplex") I do offer that service and also full feature cable service including premium channels. Since I work in the entertainment business, this is all tax deductible for me and since the units are already wired, they just use my service. With regard to internet, The links at the top of the thread seems to be important solution for those of you who share their residence with rental (i.e. if you live in one of your units)

Mark N.A · Answer

Around here the multi-families are overbuilt so must offer boucoup incentives, especially to the fickle luxury college crowd.  Free internet is a given.

Luckily I don't have to offer it with my SFHs, though many prospects ask for it;  after which I simply refer them to the closest apartment complex.

Tenants who like SFHs do NOT like shared walls, and will seldom give up the perceived benefits of their own private home and yard for free communal 'come-ons'.

Do you provide internet to your tenants?

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