Features Articles

Barry Sargent of Nittan discusses how housing associations can significantly reduce the number of false alarms in their properties While optical detectors remain dominant, true growth has come from multi-sensors as installers and specifiers realise the benefits to be had.... View Article

Paul Durose of Gas Tag shines the spotlight on gas compliance and safety processes and what we can do better as an industry to improve The importance of having visibility within your compliance processes can’t be understated. When it comes... View Article

Zoe Williams of Selectaglaze discusses why housing managers and landlords should use secondary glazing and the specific considerations to bear in mind There are many misconceptions about secondary glazing, also known as secondary double glazing, but well designed and carefully... View Article

With Electric Vehicle (EV) and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) sales going from strength-to-strength, growing numbers of housing developments in the UK are featuring EV charging units – and new developments may soon have to do so by law. Kieron Alsop... View Article

Mark Lowe of Pinacl Solutions discusses how housing associations can avoid costly disrepair claims with IoT technology Claims for disrepair are on the rise, with some solicitors seeing disrepair claims doubled compared to last year. With the average disrepair claim... View Article

Andy Speake of Aico details the benefits multi-sensor alarms can bring social housing providers, particularly from a cost saving perspective The first mains powered domestic multi-sensor was launched to the smoke alarm market in 2014 as a means of providing... View Article

Stuart Reynolds of AKW discusses how social landlords can build flexibility into their housing stock for both able and disabled tenants A major piece of research by the Smith Institute forecasts that by 2034 there will be 170,000 more residents... View Article

For landlords and specifiers in social housing, there is a constant quest for balancing budgets with longevity throughout their properties – particularly when it comes to kitchens. Bob Andrew of Elfin Kitchens explains how the latest pre-built compact kitchens offer... View Article

Victor D’Allancé of Intratone explains how intelligent access control systems can keep maintenance simple for housing managers and provide the best security for tenants Managers of apartment blocks and those in charge of access to social housing face similar problems... View Article

Tim Hill from Keyzapp explains how combining contactless tags and cloud-based software helped two housing associations solve an age-old problem For housing associations key management can be a real headache. Keeping track of hundreds or even thousands of keys is... View Article

David White of Mixergy explains why housing associations and landlords should consider installing intelligent hot water tanks, detailing the vast array of benefits they can bring both landlords and tenants We now live in a world where macro industry themes... View Article

Wide ranging new requirements recently confirmed by the Scottish Government call for a consistently high level of smoke, heat and CO alarm provision to be applied across all housing, and a review of Building Regulations should improve standards in England... View Article

Ian Napier of Switchee explains why the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill is important for those managing private and social housing On 20 December last year – the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 received royal assent and it... View Article

What does safety really mean when it comes to heating appliances in the home? Christian Hadley of Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation examines the real value of safety testing, the issue of self-declaration – and why external certification can be... View Article

AM Bid’s Andrew Morrison examines procurement and bidding trends including the outsourced service versus in-house delivery debate, in order to help housing clients, buyers and bidders pause and reflect about what will work best for them As we begin a... View Article

Wendy Thomas of Nuaire discusses the importance of filtering the air in existing homes, particularly when the occupants are some of society’s most vulnerable The Chief Medical Officer’s 2017 report, released in 2018, focused on air pollution as a major... View Article

There is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, with an unrivalled lifespan counted in hundreds of years, no maintenance and full recyclability as Graeme Bell of Aurubis explains Despite its heritage, roofing some of our oldest buildings, continuing... View Article