Winter is well on its way, bringing new challenges for social housing. With current financial uncertainties, sustainability pressures and more, it’s never been more critical for housing providers to have the right software on their side. It must be flexible enough to grow and change with ever-evolving laws and keep their operations efficient.
As we know, housing providers particularly face a distinct set of challenges compared with other property management sectors. Being subject to specific regulations and funding constraints and often serving vulnerable populations with limited financial resources means that there are extra things to consider. Quite often, their properties may also be older and need more frequent repairs.
Legal expectations
The landscape of social housing is constantly developing. With the government having consulted on damp and mould and how long a housing provider should be given to deal with hazards, Awaab’s Law is very much on everyone’s minds. This law sets clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which housing providers must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. For housing providers, it’s essential to have software that helps them remain compliant with these regulations, ensuring the safety and well-being of their tenants.
As the colder months approach, now is the time to prepare. Maintenance needs typically increase during this time due to harsher weather conditions, and quick repairs become crucial. For example, a boiler breaking down during winter is much more pressing than in summer. Issues such as damp and mould also become more prevalent, needing fast and efficient repairs to ensure tenants’ safety and comfort. In this way, operatives will spend more time out at their jobs and will be harder to keep in touch with.
Mobile solutions
Mobile solutions can help manage repairs quickly and effectively. Field operatives can be in constant contact with housing providers, accessing job details, receiving notifications about urgent issues and even scheduling follow-on work. This ensures that repairs are addressed promptly, minimising tenant discomfort and potential property damage.
Managing field staff can be difficult without the right tools. Mobile solutions offer the capability to keep field staff informed, whether it’s new jobs, changing schedules or even warnings. By helping staff complete jobs quickly and efficiently, while keeping them safe, these solutions contribute to higher productivity and better service quality. Additionally, the reduction in miscommunication and delays leads to more streamlined operations, benefiting both staff and tenants.
Real-time information on-the-go
Aareon’s Mobile Working app allows for real-time updates, ensuring staff are informed about risks and the specific needs of each job. This improves safety and efficiency, allowing staff to complete tasks quickly. It also helps them provide the exemplary service they promise to tenants by managing relationships with all relevant tenant and property data at their fingertips. This means that staff can feel empowered to act on customer requests directly and receive digitally-assigned jobs on the go, with all of the information and data they need in one place.
It also enables the tracking of job progress and the logging and documenting of work through to completion. A dedicated mobile app that covers a broad spectrum of core business needs, from maintenance work, inspections and compliance through to tenancy services, ensures no unnecessary time is wasted in the field and helps eliminate most of the associated paperwork that typically gets done afterwards.
Fewer errors & greater productivity
In turn, more efficient processing leads to better productivity. By streamlining these processes, mobile solutions not only save time but also reduce the likelihood of errors, ensuring that all tasks are completed accurately and efficiently. This holistic approach to field management supports a more organised and effective operation, ultimately enhancing the overall service delivery.
Financial uncertainty is also a major factor in the social housing sector, and it is only exacerbated during the winter months when heating costs rise and more resources are needed for emergency repairs. Meanwhile, housing providers face massive financial pressures and budget constraints as sustainability goals widen. It is becoming much more important for housing providers to be active in retrofitting and building sustainably.
As social housing faces increased challenges in winter, the right software can be a game-changer. By using digital solutions such as Aareon’s Mobile Working app, housing providers can streamline their operations, ensure compliance and manage resources effectively, helping to navigate the complexities of the season and provide better services to their tenants.
Want to learn more about Aareon’s mobile solution? Discover more at info.aareon.co.uk/mobileworking.
Jack Weekes is a product manager at Aareon.
