A digital revolution in the Housing Association sector is afoot, with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting an increased demand for effective online operations. At the centre of it all? The need to find better ways of working for the organisation – to save money, time and resources – and for Housing Associations to be better connected to their tenants so they understand and best use the support available to them.
Ok, but what does a digital future look like?
First up – take it online. From building accessibility, to administration like rent payments, maintenance and other key transactions, an intelligent online system not only reduces paperwork and manpower but can also reduce cost when compared to phone or face-to-face. By utilising technology, such as remotely managed access control systems, to improve efficiencies, Housing Associations can free up time and money, in order to give residents the support they really need during these challenging times.
Take Dutch Housing Association Mitros, for example, which has built a new, digitalised system to automate many of the processes involved in letting and managing a property. With their specially created app, Qlinker, the letting verification process can be completed in just 5 minutes, while an integrated chat bot answers tenant queries – freeing up the team’s time to focus on things such as investment and customer relations.
Access, made easy
In light of the ongoing health pandemic and limitations on human-to-human contact, remote working has become a new norm. With the evolution of remotely managed access systems, Housing Associations are now able to easily manage property access from either their office or home, with less need to visit housing sites.
At Intratone, we’re playing a part in this important shift with our range of wireless, GSM-based building access systems. Our new intercom, the DD-02, harnesses the latest technology and incorporates features such as a backlit braille keypad, audio induction loop and pinhole video camera – to give residents even more control over granting access, which can be done from their mobile phone or tablet.
Real-time resident support
The digitalisation of the Housing Association sector isn’t just about access, however; it’s also putting in place technology to inform residents of the services available to them. Whether it be web or portal communications, Housing Associations can now offer 24/7 self-service support for their residents, allowing them to keep up to date with their account, any recent news and contact a relevant person should they need extra assistance.
Tools such as AskPorter, for example, aim to disrupt property management by harnessing artificial intelligence. Residents and tenants can chat with Porter, a multilingual AI assistant, by text or voice – and the tool then qualifies leads, takes and chases rental payments while also triaging maintenance queries. Another tool, Fixflo, is a picture-based repair reporting portal that empowers residents to self-manage the repair reporting process in communal and personal spaces. This isn’t just good news for residents however – as early detection and detailed reporting of maintenance issues contribute to cheaper and faster fixes for housing management teams. Everyone’s a winner!
The future is now
The key takeaways? Digitalisation in the Housing Association sector is about adapting and improving – creating new tech-driven services that work for both staff and residents, now and in the future. Beyond the immediate need presented by COVID-19, technology can increase future efficiencies, streamline processes and help Housing Associations offer a consistent, high-quality and reliable service in the long term.
Discover how Intratone is embracing a digitally led future with our range of wireless intercoms and property access products by getting in touch with one of our team today!
