Smart Building Technology Becomes Essential as High-Rise Water Damage Costs Soar

Written by:

Rudi Davis

Date:

07 Oct 2025

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Property managers of luxury multifamily buildings are facing increasing pressure to prevent catastrophic damage from seemingly minor issues like water leaks, according to Dan Ross, VP at Brilliant Smart Home. This challenge is driving adoption of integrated smart building systems that can detect and respond to problems before they escalate.

The Hidden Threat

“One leak on the 35th floor can cause a whole lot of problems for a building,” Ross says. “Without that notification, things can get really bad, really fast, and all of a sudden create millions of dollars of damage throughout a building with a major leak.”

Ross points to a recent example where early detection prevented disaster. In a luxury building, a leak detector identified an issue in a locked utility closet. Because the system immediately alerted property management, “they were there within 10 minutes to resolve the issue.”

Beyond Basic Monitoring

Ross explains that today’s building management systems go far beyond basic leak detection. His team emphasizes a fully integrated approach that combines energy monitoring with real-time alerts for irregular usage, coordination with access control systems for enhanced security, and automated tools to streamline tenant transitions. Additionally, remote monitoring of vacant units allows property managers to maintain oversight and prevent costly maintenance issues before they arise.

“The property management and service team of the building can view all the properties simultaneously,” Ross explains. “If there’s something acting weird, say thermostat is now at 85 or 90 degrees in the unit, we need to have a notice sent out.”

The Tenant Transition Challenge

One of the biggest operational challenges in multifamily management is efficiently transitioning units between tenants. Traditional smart home systems often create complications during these transitions, requiring technical support to transfer control of various devices.

Ross says new solutions are addressing this: “Move in, move out transition is seamless with the BCC software, it’s going to automatically log them off of all the smart devices in that unit.” This automation reduces staff time and eliminates potential security risks from lingering access.

Market Validation

According to Ross, major developers are embracing these integrated solutions. He points to a recent project with ZD Jasper, a New York-based multifamily developer that has implemented comprehensive smart building systems across their portfolio.

The Future of Property Management

Ross predicts that integrated smart building systems will soon become standard in luxury multifamily developments. This shift, he says, is being propelled by rising insurance costs that make preventative technologies a financial necessity, tenants’ growing expectations for connected living environments, and the industry’s increasing emphasis on operational efficiency. Above all, developers and owners are recognizing the need to safeguard high-value assets through proactive, technology-driven management.

“The sense in the field is more luxury because there’s this integrated smart home solution that comes with the apartment,” Ross notes, indicating that these systems are becoming a market differentiator for high-end properties.