House hacking in duplex. Wifi for entire building or just my unit?

Question

Hi just bought my first multi family and will be living in one unit. I was wondering what's the best option for wifi? Do most landlord provide wifi for their tenants? Or is that something that is left for the tenant to get? What are pros and cons of both. thanks in advanced

Trevor Schmitt · Answer

Is the rental demand high? Or are owners having to compete at a high level to obtain tenants?

If you are worried about potentially not being able to rent it out right away, I would offer it as a "perk". If there is no concern in finding a tenant, I would have the tenant obtain their own WiFi. It is totally normal for that to be the case.

I have a furnished MTR that I rent out to a family, and they set up and pay for their own WiFi still.

Brady Graham · Answer

Cassandra,

I would mirror others that if renting the other unit long term, let that tenant have their own utility for cable/internet. In the event that the utility isn't properly separated, I'd say adjust your monthly rent by an appropriate amount within market rates to cover the expense. If for STR or MTR, then definitely should be an amenity you'd want to include.

Melanie Thomas · Answer

It is common in my market for tenants to provide that, not landlords. Good luck & happy investing!

Tim Miller · Answer

We are thinking about providing this in one of our 4 unit duplex. We would offer it to each tenant as 1gig internet for $50 more a month on rent. The service would only cost us $100 so we'd make a $100 profit.

The setup cost would be about $2,000 because we would use Netgear Orbi Mesh system. You get an app to control everything, so any internet issue you just go to the app to resolve.

Since you're just starting out, you can bake the cost of this into the rent and offer it as a perk. They'll love it. Good Luck.

Julien J. · Answer

I'm in the Seattle area and tenants provide their wifi even in my multi families.

In house hacking, I'd only provide it with my own unit.

If you do provide it as a perk,

- Be ready for the call that wifi/internet is down and to take care of it promptly

- Set expectations with tenants on your response time to fix it

Bonnie Low · Answer

How are you renting out the other units? For long term rentals, typically the landlord is not supplying Wifi unless your competitors are doing it. For MTR and STR, you're going to be expected to provide it. Your rates should take that into consideration.

House hacking in duplex. Wifi for entire building or just my unit?

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