How Data-Driven Technology Can Transform Repairs in Social Housing

The Regulator of Social Housing’s 2024 Global Accounts report highlights the immense financial pressures faced by English housing associations (HAs). In 2024, repairs and maintenance costs surged to an all-time high of £5.5bn – a staggering 13% (£1bn) increase from the previous year and 55% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, surplus as a percentage of turnover plummeted by 47.7%, dropping from 17.7% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024.

With annual repairs spending projected to rise to £10bn over the next five years, housing associations must find innovative ways to navigate these financial challenges. Leveraging data-driven social housing solutions, such as Mobysoft’s RepairSense platform, offers a clear path to mitigating these pressures while improving tenant satisfaction and service delivery.

The Hidden Costs of Unresolved Repairs

Unaddressed or recurrent repairs in social housing create a cascade of negative outcomes for tenants, providers, and properties. Key challenges include:

Tenant Wellbeing: Persistent issues like damp and mould erode living conditions, negatively impacting tenant health and satisfaction.
Service Inefficiencies: Recurring problems lead to repeated contractor visits, wasting resources and inflating operational costs.
Reputation Damage: Unresolved issues can escalate into legal disputes and tenant complaints, harming the provider’s public image.
Compliance Failures: Delays in addressing repairs can lead to breaches of housing standards, resulting in disrepair claims, fines, or decant costs.

Addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach – one that data analytics in social housing can uniquely deliver.

Harnessing Predictive Analytics for Repairs Management

Predictive analytics in social housing has emerged as a game-changer, enabling providers to transition from reactive to proactive maintenance. Platforms like Mobysoft’s RepairSense leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to:

Identify Recurring Issues: By analysing historical repair logs, RepairSense pinpoints patterns and recurring issues, enabling housing providers to address root causes before they escalate.
Prioritise Urgent Repairs: This type of predictive software for social housing providers forecasts potential problems, ensuring timely intervention and reducing tenant disruption.
Enhance Contractor Performance: By monitoring repairs quality via repeat repairs metrics, the platform ensures contractors meet high standards and resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
Optimise Resources: Advanced data management in social housing improves workflow efficiency, reduces repair demand, and supports compliance with damp and mould legislation.

Improving Tenant Services with Data

Data analytics in social housing doesn’t just streamline operations; it also transforms tenant experiences. Housing providers using RepairSense consistently achieve top-quartile performance, with Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) averaging over 80%. Key benefits include:

Automated Diagnostics: RepairSense’s social housing AI platform ensures that no repair issue slips through the cracks, fostering faster resolutions.
Proactive Engagement: By identifying common themes in tenant complaints, providers can address systemic issues, reinforcing trust and satisfaction.
Enhanced Wellbeing: Tackling damp, mould, and other critical issues improves living conditions and supports tenant health.

Data Strategy: The Foundation of Successful AI Implementation

Before embracing AI in social housing, organisations must first establish a robust data strategy for social housing management. Key steps include:

Data Collection and Cleaning: Ensuring accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date data is critical to effective analytics.
Integration Across Systems: Consolidating data from repairs, tenancy management, and other systems into a unified platform streamlines decision-making.
Training and Change Management: Equipping staff to interpret and act on data insights maximises the value of social housing AI software.

Social housing providers using RepairSense for over 12 months report remarkable outcomes:

Improved TSM Scores: Providers consistently rank in the upper quartile, with average TSM scores exceeding 80%.
Cost Savings: By reducing repeat repairs and optimising workflows, RepairSense helps housing providers mitigate rising costs and allocate resources more effectively.
Regulatory Assurance: Advanced reporting tools provide transparency and accountability, ensuring compliance with housing standards.

The Role of AI in Enhancing Housing Operations

AI in social housing is revolutionising operations, from rent collection to repairs management. RepairSense’s AI-driven tools provide actionable insights that:

Increase Trade Team Capacity: By reducing unnecessary repairs, teams can focus on delivering high-quality outcomes.
Minimise Complaints: Identifying and resolving recurring issues reduces tenant dissatisfaction and disrepair claims.
Support Sustainability Goals: Enhancing the quality and sustainability of repairs aligns with long-term housing strategies.

With repairs and maintenance spending at record levels, the need for efficient housing operations through data has never been more critical. “The tough environment housing providers face is illustrated by repairs expenditure growing faster than rental income, which is squeezing projected Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation, Major Repairs Included (EBITDA MRI).” Says Mobysoft CEO, Paul Evans. “As a result, there is an onus on providers to embrace technology and data to help mitigate these growing pressures, regain control of their budgets, and continue to meet tenant needs.”

Social housing management solutions like RepairSense empower providers to navigate these challenges effectively, delivering long-term financial stability and tenant satisfaction.

Take the Next Step Toward Data-Driven Transformation

The key to addressing today’s regulatory and financial challenges lies in harnessing emerging technologies like AI. However, successful implementation starts with a solid data strategy.

If your organisation is exploring AI adoption, Mobysoft offers invaluable resources to guide your journey. Download our Introducing AI Into Your Organisation guide to discover practical steps for AI implementation. For insights on building a strong data strategy foundation, check out our Becoming a Data-Led Organisation guide by either clicking this link or scanning the QR code on the image below.

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Mobysoft

Founded in 2003, Mobysoft provides predictive data insight solutions to a wide range of social housing clients, supplying technology to help landlords to improve their income-collection processes for the good of all involved. Mobysoft delivers two market-leading products RentSense and RepairSense which help keep tenants housed in a home they can enjoy and simultaneously improves rent collection for the long term good of the organisation and its tenants.