Rethinking Building Connectivity in the AI Era

Week 4: From Dumb Pipes to Smart Platforms – Rethinking Building Connectivity in the AI Era

Introduction

Welcome back to our 52-week series exploring how commercial real estate can thrive in a data-driven future. I’m Bill Douglas, CEO of OpticWise and co-author of Peak Property Performance: Game-Changing AI and Digital Strategies for Commercial Real Estate (Fast Company Press, June 2025).

Each week, we break down how CRE leaders can turn digital infrastructure into a performance advantage. This week’s focus: building connectivity — and why basic bandwidth is no longer enough.

The Problem: Bandwidth ≠ Value

In too many properties, connectivity is treated like plumbing — install it and forget it. But both operating systems and tenants today expect far more than a signal. They demand smart, reliable, private, and secure connectivity environments. Yet many buildings still function as ‘dumb pipes’ — offering bandwidth, but no intelligence.

Without visibility, control, or data integration, building owners lose:
– Insight into technology usage
– The ability to troubleshoot or preempt outages
– Opportunities to monetize services
– A foundation for future tech deployment

Connectivity without ownership is just another cost. And in 2025, costs must drive returns.

Read the article in full

Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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tlyfe exhibiting at Propertymark1 Conference this Friday

A fresh alternative in a crowded marketplace

The property industry has long been dominated by legacy systems, closed networks, and opaque pricing models. tlyfe instead seeks to break that mold by introducing a UX friendly service where trust and value take center stage, helping the letting agent find the best tenants fast.

Driving empowerment through Technology

tlyfe backed by and integrated with the TDS goes beyond what other providers in the sector are doing, its roadmap includes features like digital identity verification, rental payment history tracking, and tenant reputation scoring. Empowering individuals to take control of their rental journeys. These innovations are particularly valuable for younger renters and global citizens who face hurdles navigating traditional systems.

A mission with impact

OpenBrix/tlyfe is more than a technology company—it’s a movement. Its founders and leadership team are driven by a passion for social impact, transparency, and market fairness. As the housing sector faces mounting pressure to modernise, it represent a shift toward greater accountability, choice, and digital empowerment.

To find out more use this LINK or if you at the Propertymark1 conference this Friday make the time to say hello to Adam and his team, they will be pleased to show you how it can improve your business.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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Renters’ Rights Bill update

The Renters’ Rights Bill: What Letting Agents and Landlords need to know

The Renters’ Rights Bill is shaping up to be one of the most significant pieces of housing legislation in recent memory. As it moves steadily through Parliament, with Royal Assent anticipated in the autumn of 2025, it’s critical that letting agents and landlords understand not just the intent of the reforms, but the operational realities they will soon face.

At the centre of the Bill is the abolition of Section 21, a move that will fundamentally change how tenancies are brought to an end. Once enacted, landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without giving a valid reason. In addition, all fixed term assured shorthold tenancies will convert into rolling periodic agreements, effectively removing the concept of set tenancy lengths and standardising a more flexible, open-ended rental model.

To replace Section 21, the Bill expands the grounds available under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. These revised grounds will allow landlords to regain possession if they intend to sell the property, move in themselves, or accommodate close family members. Notably, these reasons will require a minimum of four months’ notice. Existing grounds, such as those related to rent arrears and anti-social behaviour, will also be retained and in some cases strengthened. For letting agents, this will mean paying closer attention to documentation, tenant conduct, and the collection of evidence to support any future possession claims.

Rent control is another area the Bill touches directly. Going forward, landlords will only be permitted to increase rent once per year and must provide a minimum of two months’ notice to tenants. All increases must be in line with prevailing market rates. Furthermore, the government plans to outlaw the increasingly common practice of rental bidding, where landlords or agents encourage prospective tenants to offer above the advertised rate. This measure will require agents to review how they advertise properties and ensure transparent pricing becomes standard practice.

The Bill also introduces new protections for tenants with pets, stating that tenants will have a legal right to request permission to keep one. While landlords will still have the right to refuse on reasonable grounds, those grounds will need to be clearly justified. In some cases, landlords may request pet insurance to cover potential damage.

Read the article in full

Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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