18 Industry Viewfinder
What role do IoT-enabled devices play in enhancing remote management capabilities in social housing?
With the UK Government pushing for energy effi ciency, smart meters in social housing allow both tenants and landlords to monitor and manage energy usage more eff ectively. For example, real-time data can be used to identify energy wastage, especially in older social housing stock. In addition, smart controls of heating such as the Nest thermostat (or similar smart heating controls), are being used in social housing to manage properties’ temperature and reduce energy consumption. T ese systems can be remotely monitored and adjusted, allowing for better temperature control and reducing heating costs.
SECURITY, SAFETY & WELFARE Social housing can oſt en be located in urban or high-density areas where crime is likely, so remote monitoring of common areas via CCTV is becoming common. It can help deter crime, ensure tenant safety, and help authorities respond quickly if incidents occur. T is also benefi ts landlords by reducing costs related to security personnel. Smart access control systems, such as remote entry systems are also used in social housing to increase security and help identify anti-social behaviour and prevent unauthorised access. Lastly, remote fi re alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can be installed to notify emergency services and housing managers instantly if there’s a problem. T ese systems can potentially save lives by ensuring prompt action.
The key issue for our survey respondents was knowledge gaps around data security and privacy
Particularly in supported or sheltered housing, IoT devices can be used to
assist telecare and monitor tenants’ health and wellbeing remotely. For example, smart devices can alert caregivers or housing managers if an elderly tenant falls, does not move for a certain period, or has a health emergency, reducing the manpower need and disruption from constant check-ins. Remote monitoring can be used to track changes in tenant behaviour or social interaction patterns. T is could help social housing providers to identify tenants who might need additional support services, particularly if there are concerns about mental health or isolation.
DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING T e many benefi ts of collating data within analytics platforms for social housing platforms – where all data from individual monitoring systems can sit, can help guide strategic decisions on building upgrades, resource allocation, and planning new housing projects. T e data parameters which can be captured include energy consumption, building tenant health and satisfaction, and the detail available enables very robust and rigorous management approaches to be supported. For larger local authority and housing association providers (such as Peabody,
Clarion Housing, or L&Q for example), the use of data collected through remote monitoring helps meet the challenge of managing vast portfolios, ensuring the most effi cient allocation of resources, improved service delivery, and better long- term planning are provided.
CHALLENGES & CONSIDERATIONS Clear communication with tenants about what data is being collected and why is essential, in particular where it may overlap with collection of tenants’ personal information (privacy is governed by data protection standards including GDPR). Individual ‘fi rewalls’ for each tenant may be the best practice approach taken, to protect their data in a robust way. A further challenge is the potential cost barriers with investments potentially not seeing a return for providers for some time, although remote monitoring can save costs such as via preventative maintenance, over the longer term. T e upfront investment in technology required can be a barrier, especially for smaller housing associations or councils, although there are grants or funding available from government or local authorities which can assist in remote monitoring projects. Smart technology can also help to meet government sustainability and energy effi ciency targets. T ere is one further challenge; the ‘digital divide’ between younger and older
tenants, with the latter likely to be less able and familiar with digital devices and smart technology. Providers and suppliers need to be aware that because younger tenants may be able to adopt and engage with new monitoring apps, IoT devices, and monitoring data, it may require much more investment in support for older tenants. Older tenants may struggle to adapt to new systems, particularly in areas of digital literacy, and extra support will be needed in this case. Some of the questions in our previous industry research directly referenced
the issues around the pandemic, and so we didn’t reproduce these for our 2024 research, however we did incorporate some of the factors from the 2021 study
Housing Management & Maintenance February/March 2025
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