Another emerging area concerns internet connectivity. With reliable, high-speed internet now being as essential as water or electricity for many tenants, new clauses are appearing that address this. While the tenant is still typically responsible for paying for their own internet service, a forward-thinking landlord might include a clause warranting that the building is properly wired for high-speed fiber-optic service from specific providers. This can be a major selling point for tenants who rely on a stable connection for their livelihood.

The issue of landlord access also takes on new meaning. A landlord’s right to enter a property with proper notice for inspections or repairs is standard. However, in a home that is also an office, an unexpected visit can be highly disruptive to a tenant’s work. Some modern leases are now including clauses that require more flexible scheduling or a slightly longer notice period to accommodate the tenant’s work schedule, demonstrating a good-faith effort to minimize disruption.

Finally, with the rise of smart home technology, clauses governing data privacy and smart devices are becoming more common. If a landlord provides a unit with smart thermostats, locks, or security systems, the lease must be transparent about what data these devices collect, who has access to it, and how it is used. These evolving lease clauses reflect a necessary adaptation to a world where the home has become the new office.