04/03/2026
Smart Tech Isnโt Always So Smart ๐
Around five years ago, in one of our shared homes, we decided to trial track lighting and Wise Box with wireless switches in the communal areas. At the time, they were widely praised for their flexibility, cost-efficiency, and sleek, modern appeal.
Fast forward to today โ hereโs our honest verdict:
The ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด has genuinely stood the test of time. Itโs still performing brilliantly in our HMO spaces, offering flexibility that suits tenantsโ day-to-day routines.
The ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐
๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐, however, didnโt age quite as well. They failed twice within five years, resulting in costly repairs and replacements โ and eventually we reverted back to traditional hard wiring.
Over the years of developing HMOs, weโve learned that ๐ฑ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ป๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐น๐๐. When choosing fixtures and fittings, longevity will always outweigh aesthetic trends or โcoolโ features. They need to withstand daily use โ and the test of time.
We also stopped using black brassware for the same reason. It looks fantastic when brand new, but limescale shows quickly, maintenance becomes a burden for tenants, and over time it simply doesnโt wear well.
Itโs a good reminder that innovation in property development isnโt always linear โ some experiments prove their worth, others provide valuable lessons. ๐ก
Have you ever tested a โsmartโ or โbeautifulโ feature that didnโt quite work out? Weโd love to hear your experience.
