IoT & The Housing Market

By Daisy Communications

IoT technology has the power to revolutionise not just industries, but day-to-day lives. For housing, the Internet of Things is a gateway of possibility. It has the power to keep people connected – something that’s felt crucial through recent lockdowns and the increase in working from home and social isolation. But it’s capable of so much more than that. IoT technology can help you’re your developments safer, more efficient, and even help save money too.

Security & Safety

For security, IoT devices can be used to monitor and maintain all sorts of systems. Through an IoT network, property managers can view security cameras and even lock doors remotely. IoT security systems also enable faster response times, immediately notifying the user of anything needing attention even if there’s no one at the property to hear the alarm. Giving you direct access to and control of security systems and your tenants further peace of mind.

On top of that, smart smoke alarms can immediately notify property managers of low batteries or defects. Similarly, they can give immediate notification in case of a fire – enabling fast action, limiting potential damage, and protecting the safety of any nearby residents and buildings even if no one is in the property to hear the alarm.

Efficiencies & Utilities Monitoring

With IoT enabled technology, Housing providers can digitally control everything from water to gas and electricity. Smart utility meters allow electronic tracking of energy consumption, giving insights as to how developments can both be more eco-friendly and save money on the cost of energy bills. Whether that’s in ensuring properties are only heated when they need to be, controlling light levels, or something else besides, with IoT technology automation of the home is easy to monitor and to control. They can offer valuable data too, providing housing associations with valuable insight to offer better and more cost-effective support.

Maintenance

Devices like boilers are being manufactured with repairs diagnostics and maintenance alerts built in. Making maintaining housing tenant’s service smoother and more reliable. Installed in the home, devices like this can notify property managers of anything needing attention. This enables fast action and limits potential damage as well as costs of repairs. Remote monitoring also saves on the costs of sending contractors on site, providing live alerts rather than relying on annual tests.

It’s for these reasons that the appetite for IoT is growing. In the 2017 Housing Tech IoT report, they found that the majority (59%) of respondents were planning to invest in IoT*. While almost half (46%) expected IoT to become important to their overall strategies*. And a whopping 78% though that the integration of IoT is becoming increasingly important*.