After the publication of the Grenfell Tower fire report and the introduction of legislation such as the Social Housing Act 2023, it’s clear that there is an urgent need for better monitoring and maintenance of housing stock. As a result, housing providers must strike a delicate balance between tenant welfare, legal compliance and cost efficiency.
In today’s data-driven world, technology offers housing providers powerful tools to meet these challenges head-on. Connected solutions, particularly those that leverage the internet of things (IoT), are transforming the way housing providers monitor, maintain and safeguard their properties. By automating compliance checks and providing real-time data on property conditions, IoT-enabled devices are helping housing providers future-proof their housing stock and ensure tenant safety at all times.
Compliance in social housing
For housing providers, compliance has always been complex and time-consuming. With multiple properties to manage and evolving regulations to follow, ensuring that each home meets safety standards can be overwhelming. This task is made even more difficult by traditional methods of compliance tracking, which often involve manual documentation and infrequent checks. Reports and certificates, once filed, can quickly become outdated, leaving housing providers unaware of current safety statuses.
The introduction of the Social Housing Act 2023 and Awaab’s Law have brought even greater scrutiny to housing compliance, with increased accountability for damp, mould and other health risks. Housing providers are now required to provide a ‘golden thread’ of information that shows a clear history of safety compliance for each property.
The role of IoT in enhancing compliance
The growing complexity of compliance has paved the way for connected technologies to revolutionise housing safety. IoT-enabled devices such as smart smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and environmental sensors allow housing providers to monitor safety data in real time across their entire property portfolios.
With IoT, compliance is no longer a matter of periodic checks or guesswork. Devices can automatically send alerts to a centralised system if an alarm is disabled, batteries are low or a sensor detects dangerous conditions. This immediate visibility empowers housing providers to act quickly and efficiently, ensuring tenant safety while also staying on top of their regulatory requirements.
By integrating IoT systems with asset management platforms, housing providers can automate the tracking of compliance data, ensuring that every property is continuously monitored and potential risks are identified early.
Future-proofing homes with smart safety solutions
Smart solutions such as FireAngel Connected are at the forefront of this technological shift. FireAngel Connected allows housing providers to remotely monitor safety devices across all properties, while its FireAngel Predict technology uses AI to identify patterns and predict risks before they materialise. This includes fire risks, environmental hazards such as damp and even tenant behaviours that could affect safety.
FireAngel’s Connected platform supports the golden thread requirement by creating a continuous digital record of each property’s compliance status. In the case of smoke and CO detectors, this means housing providers can instantly view which devices are functioning correctly, which need maintenance and where replacements are due. Additionally, installation certificates and maintenance records are stored digitally, ensuring that no documentation is lost or outdated.
As housing regulations evolve, smart solutions such as FireAngel Connected offer flexibility and scalability, allowing housing providers to adapt to new safety standards without overhauling their existing systems.
Proactive maintenance through smart data
One of the most valuable aspects of IoT technologies is their ability to turn reactive maintenance into proactive intervention. By constantly monitoring conditions such as temperature, humidity and air quality, smart sensors can alert housing providers to potential problems before they become serious health risks.
Predictive maintenance not only prevents costly repairs but also protects tenants from the adverse effects of environmental hazards. Instead of waiting for tenants to report issues, housing providers can rely on real-time data to prioritise visits and interventions, addressing problems before they escalate.
For example, if a sensor detects consistently high humidity levels in a property, the system can alert the housing provider who can then take steps to improve ventilation or insulation. This proactive approach not only enhances tenants’ safety but also extends the lifespan of housing stock and reduces long-term maintenance costs.
Tenant safety & wellbeing
Beyond compliance and maintenance, smart technology plays a critical role in enhancing tenants’ wellbeing, particularly for vulnerable populations. IoT devices such as FireAngel’s Home Environment Gateway go beyond fire safety, offering comprehensive environmental monitoring that tracks temperature, humidity and air quality in real-time.
This level of monitoring is particularly important for elderly tenants or those with pre-existing health conditions who may be more vulnerable to environmental risks. With the ability to connect multiple sensors to a single platform, housing providers can ensure that each tenant’s home environment is safe and healthy.
Tenant engagement is key to successful safety strategies. FireAngel’s Connected app allows tenants to participate in their own safety, offering them insights into the status of their home’s safety devices and giving them the ability to alert their housing provider to any concerns.
Building safer, smarter homes
As the social housing sector grapples with increased regulation and heightened scrutiny, connected technologies offer a clear path forward. By leveraging IoT-enabled safety solutions, housing providers can improve compliance, reduce maintenance costs and protect their tenants in real time.
Investing in smart solutions such as FireAngel Connected not only future-proofs housing stock against evolving safety standards but also creates a safer, more responsive living environment for tenants. As we move into a future where technology plays a central role in every aspect of life, it’s essential for housing providers to embrace these innovations and build smarter, safer homes for all.
For more information on FireAngel’s solutions for housing providers, please contact our team of specialists at fireangel.co.uk/connected-contact.
Ian Ballinger is the director of compliance at FireAngel.
