blog about Multifamily Properties Gain Value with Lowvoltage Wiring Upgrades

When tenants complain about slow internet speeds, buffering videos, or malfunctioning smart home devices, it doesn't just impact their living experience—it directly diminishes your property's value. In today's competitive rental market, low-voltage wiring has transitioned from an optional add-on to a critical infrastructure component that affects tenant satisfaction, attracts high-quality residents, and enhances property competitiveness.

Low-voltage wiring, also known as structured cabling, refers to wiring systems designed for low-power applications such as internet, telephone, security, and audiovisual systems. Functioning as a property's nervous system, it carries various data signals that directly impact residents' daily lives and work.

The fundamental distinction lies in their intended use. Low-voltage wiring typically handles applications below 50 volts, featuring thinner and more flexible cables. Standard electrical wiring, by contrast, serves power distribution at higher voltages.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) establish standards for low-voltage wiring, including NEC Article 725 and TIA/EIA-568, ensuring safety and performance.

Common cable types include:

• Coaxial cables (RG6, RG59, RG11)
• Ethernet cables (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8)
• Fiber optic cables (single-mode and multi-mode)

Modern cabling infrastructure has become one of a property's most valuable assets. Many property owners have learned this the hard way—just five years ago, cable companies often dismissed fiber or Ethernet as unnecessary. Now, these same properties face costly retrofits.

The cost to rewire a property can be ten times higher than installing it correctly the first time.

While coaxial cable remains the standard for traditional cable TV, its capabilities pale in comparison to modern alternatives. The best achievable speeds typically cap at 1 Gbps download and 35 Mbps upload—far below current tenant demands.

Fiber-to-the-unit (FTTU) designs can deliver up to 100 Gbps speeds, making them future-proof solutions. "Within ten years, coaxial will become severely limited without upgrades," explains one industry expert. "With fiber, your property likely won't become obsolete for forty years—you'll only need to upgrade endpoint equipment."

Many property owners don't actually own their building's wiring—it often belongs to the cable provider that installed it. Owning your infrastructure provides long-term advantages, including control over network adjustments and the ability to count cabling as a capital asset during property valuation.

The preferred standard for new developments is "two Cat6 home runs to each unit"—two direct connections per apartment. One connects to primary network equipment, while the second serves as a central distribution point for room-by-room connectivity.

For existing properties, the most cost-effective approach often involves installing a fiber backbone while utilizing existing infrastructure where possible. This minimizes resident disruption while significantly improving performance.

As remote work and bandwidth-intensive applications become ubiquitous, properties with outdated wiring face increasing challenges. Gamers and remote workers particularly suffer from latency issues when forced to rely on wireless connections rather than hardwired ports.

Investing in proper low-voltage wiring infrastructure not only enhances current tenant satisfaction but also positions properties competitively for future technological demands and potential sales.