Question for property managers or anyone in charge of large housing complexes!
I have a service I wish to present to a few Student-Housing Apartment Complexes in my area. I have a few vital questions to ask you all.

How important is it to have a one up on your competition? To have the latest and greatest perks and services for your tenants? Is it a vital part of business in your eyes?

If I want ($X) per tenant who choses to buy my service would it be reasonable to ask the complex to add that to the tenants total rent in general? Even if it is a small amount? ($5-$15)

Would a complex be willing to create a budget for a niche service that would put them a step above the rest in sense of luxury and tenant satisfaction at an incredible price? (Say $2,500 per month if they have 100 rooms)
Thanks everybody.
[{"id": "cxngqs4", "text": "I wouldn't think its reasonable at all to add that to their rent payment. In my area you start getting into the realm of landlord tenant act, what you can charge, how much you could raise something (yearly, CPI etc). \n\nIf you/we stop the service can the tenant apply to the landlord tenant board for reduced rent now?\n\nIf I'm running a building at a 60% NOI margin and average rents of $1,250 per apartment, so 50K of expenses, why would I as the building owner increase my expenses by 5% for something with an estimated value increase to my rent of 1.2% at the top end ($1,265/$1,250)? Hard to say without knowing what this is but your pricing structure may need work.\n\nTenants care less about amenities than you may think. I've converted old pools into different commercial spaces, and even with taking out amenity space to the tenant, I've managed to increase my average monthly rent.", "replies": [{"id": "cxwzim4", "text": "&gt; Tenants care less about amenities than you may think. I've converted old pools into different commercial spaces, and even with taking out amenity space to the tenant, I've managed to increase my average monthly rent.\n\nYeah;  I mean, I live in a very high rent area, but I make above median for the area money and so do most of my friends.  (I'm a nerd in silicon valley)  - From what I've seen, people will pay extra to be near cool people, (to live in SF rather than in silicon valley proper)  and they'll pay extra to be in lower crime areas, but I don't know anyone who'd pay a dime for access to a pool.  Most people won't even pay extra for more space, if it's not in more rooms.     If we had more 'micro apartments'  people here would eat that shit up.   \n\nI've even tried to sell bandwidth;   I mean, for under three grand a month, I could give everyone gigabit ethernet (yes, oversubscribed, but *way* less oversubscribed than your typical DSL or cable modem.)   I've been trying to talk my hoa into footing the bill, and nobody is really interested, even at $60/month for gigabit fucking ethernet.      I'd finance it myself, but without everyone in, the price goes up pretty dramatically.   I bet I'd have under 10 takers at $100/month, which would leave me footing a big bill.  \n\n", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cxnohv8", "text": "I'm already interested in hearing more, so yes. BUT it depends on what the ROI would be. Calculate ROI using an existing apartment complex's numbers, and compare that complex to mine, and you might have a chance.\n\nOn the other hand, I agree with everything that /u/mnrvr said. It would be best to route payment to you as an outside vendor and include the amenity as an extra service, like internet or utilities. Including it as part of rent would complicate things. Also, he has a good point about adding amenities: if we really want to increase occupancy, we could lower our prices by a SMIDGEN that would fill spaces immediately, and that is a lot cheaper than paying for a new service. I am really curious to hear what you are offering for $15/month that people couldn't pay for on their own, though.\n\nOther advice: be sure to check in to who actually manages the apartment complexes. Most of the people you talk to at the front desk will be people who have no way of helping you at all. You would probably want to sell this to someone at the corporate office.", "replies": [{"id": "cxo1olp", "text": "I'd be willing to give a hell of a deal on cleaning for the company too.   Offer to do the halls, offices etc at the same time in exchange for being the preferred provider etc.   You can offer the leasing agents 20 for every sign up they get too", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cxnuvui", "text": "It depends on the vacancy rate. Low vacancy means there are lots of tenants who will rent and you don't need to compete. The converse is true. ", "replies": [{"id": "cxnzk0i", "text": "To go along with that I'd be interested in hearing what effect ops product will have on retention and leasing.  \n\n30k a year is a pretty good sized expense on a 100 unit though", "replies": [{"id": "cxo0pvv", "text": "bi-weekly cleaning service.\n\nI responded to a PM from the guy. the best way in my estimation is to have the apartment company include their information in their type of \"welcome home package\" (with the signed lease and everything) and give a month free if they sign up for 6 months etc.", "replies": [{"id": "cxo1kqv", "text": "I'd be worried about dealing with complaints too if it's in the  rent.  I really don't want to be arbitrator everytime something breaks or someone claims there was a 20 on their dresser that is gone now\n\nYou suggestions seems best", "replies": [], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "cxo13qq", "text": "You can just tell us what it is. This is a mistake entrepreneurs make all the time. They think their idea is so good that it will be immediately stolen if they reveal it. Truth is someone had probably already thought of your idea. The ONLY THING that matters is execution. ", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]