IoT Feature


Smart Monitoring & Software 23


Things aren’t what they used to be – proactive IoT


Lorna Given of MRI Software explores how Internet of Things (IoT) solutions are enhancing building effi ciency, safety, and compliance through real time data and proactive maintenance approaches.


A


s housing providers across the UK face increasing pressure to improve building performance, maintain compliance, and protect tenant wellbeing, smart technology is emerging as a powerful ally.


T e Internet of T ings (IoT) is no longer a futuristic concept, but is now a


practical, impactful tool that can reshape the way social housing is managed. From energy effi ciency to damp prevention, IoT off ers housing professionals the opportunity to make data driven decisions, reduce operational costs, and build safer communities.


IOT IN SOCIAL HOUSING Managing large and oſt en ageing housing portfolios presents ongoing challenges, from damp and leaks to compliance risks. Traditional methods rely heavily on manual checks and tenant reports, oſt en leading to reactive maintenance cycles. IoT changes the game by enabling a shiſt from reactive to proactive property


management. Smart sensors can be installed throughout buildings to monitor temperature, humidity, water usage, air quality, occupancy, and more. T ese sensors transmit data in real time to central platforms, allowing providers to identify trends, anticipate problems, and intervene early. For example, temperature and humidity sensors can detect conditions that may foster mould


BEYOND DAMP & MOULD While damp and mould continue to dominate headlines, IoT applications go much further. Leak detection systems can prevent major water damage. Legionella sensors can automate compliance with health and safety standards. Emergency lighting systems can be monitored remotely to ensure regulatory checks are completed without physical inspections. When combined with environmental and occupancy data, IoT can also optimise energy usage, ensuring buildings aren’t needlessly heated or lit during unoccupied periods. Environmental monitoring alone can improve building effi ciency by over


35%, reducing both emissions and costs. In an era of tightening budgets and climate accountability, that’s a compelling fi gure.


WHY IOT ISN’T YET MAINSTREAM Despite its benefi ts, IoT adoption in social housing remains limited. Many organisations are caught in reactive cycles due to poor data quality, unclear internal ownership, and limited resources. T ese constraints hinder the


Housing Management & Maintenance October/November 2025


growth; an issue that has come under sharp scrutiny following the introduction of Awaab’s Law this autumn, which demands faster, more eff ective responses to housing disrepair.


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