IoT: Creating healthier, safer sustainable homes

Internet of Things (IoT) and connected home technologies are already transforming how we view the indoor environment. Without the data these devices provide, we are effectively blind to the health of our homes, as Aico explains The use of Internet... View Article

Winning strategies for biodiversity

Managing open spaces is much more than cutting grass and collecting litter and with the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation in January, it has become even more complex. In this article, David King of Meadfleet, explores the challenges... View Article

Future-proof your residential facade

Mark Snowden from Rockpanel outlines the benefits of ventilated facades, why their specification can help ensure the wellbeing of occupants and how substandard external cladding systems can lead to hidden costs and uninsurability 2017 marked a defining moment in the... View Article

The Funding Issues faced by Local Authorities

LISTEN HERE Mark Edgerley of Boyer comments on the impact of the proposed Infrastructure Levy The news in September 2023 that Birmingham City Council (‘Europe’s largest local authority’) had been forced to issue a Section 114 notice sent out a... View Article

Landlord Latest: Salix Homes

LISTEN HERE Salix Homes is a housing association based in Salford, Greater Manchester, providing social and affordable homes and housing services Salix Homes own and manage over 8,000 homes, which comprises a real mix of properties including tower blocks and... View Article

Futurebuild unites top innovators & collaborators

LISTEN HERE Futurebuild, the built environment’s most influential event for innovation and collaboration returns 5-7 March 2024 at London’s ExCeL. Promising to be the most transformative yet, it will carry on its mission of taking a stand for a better... View Article

Powering up the future of EV charging

As the UK prepares for a net zero future, and Part S of the Building Regulations homes in on electric vehicles (EVs), housebuilders are grappling with the various practical issues around providing charging for residents of all new homes. Electrical... View Article

Key requirements for wayfinding

LISTEN HERE Danny Adamson from Stocksigns Ltd discusses some of the new regulations regarding wayfinding signage following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and the implementation of The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 On the 15th June 2017, just one day after... View Article

The need for closure

LISTEN HERE Rob Adams from Arrone, shares best practice guidance for making sure door closers within student halls of residence comply with the latest safety standards Door closers play an integral part in making sure doors open and close effectively.... View Article

Opening the door to complete compliance

Marcus Parnham from Profab Access, discusses the importance of bi-directional testing as one of the main considerations that social landlords should address when updating riser doors to ensure compliance with the latest building regulations Housing Management and Maintenance’s recent ‘Approach... View Article

Smart roof specification

LISTEN HERE Local authorities can better support social housing tenants through smart and well-timed roofing specification choices, as Stuart Nicholson from Marley explains Over the past year, and for several reasons, residential energy costs have increased. For many social housing... View Article

HOMES UK is an unmissable event

LISTEN HERE In 2023, housing providers face increased obligations to simultaneously: improve housing standards and tackle disrepair, empower tenants, meet net zero targets, address building safety and increase housing supply. In the face of limited resources, it’s more important than... View Article

Maintaining smoke control systems

LISTEN HERE Recent high-profile incidents have reaffirmed the need for regular smoke control system maintenance carried out by competent contractors. David Mowatt from the Smoke Control Association (SCA), examines the latest maintenance requirements Waiting until it is too late to... View Article

Revolutionising access control

Rhys McNichol from Videx Security explains how remote entry management is transforming the approach to access control across local authority and housing association developments In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of online and remote security management, housing associations and local authorities... View Article

Breaking the mould

Kathryn Tormay from Crown Paints discusses how anti-mould paints can help landlords and housing providers fight mould and damp, amidst a stubborn cost-of-living crisis The cost-of-living crisis looks set to continue into this winter. With energy prices remaining high, tenants... View Article

Driving forward standards in fire door safety

Fire Door Safety Week raises awareness of the vital role that fire doors play in keeping building occupants across the UK safe. Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), explains how greater awareness coupled with new legislation is moving... View Article

Effectively venting all year round

LISTEN HERE Richard Carter from EnviroVent looks at how installing effective mechanical ventilation systems can reduce the maintenance burden that some housing associations experience in the winter months, and in turn positively impact tenant health As we approach Autumn, thoughts... View Article

Help on the road to zero carbon homes

LISTEN HERE The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund could see social housing providers upgrade the energy efficiency of up to 90,000 homes. Some of these homes will be relatively straightforward to upgrade, others will require a joined-up approach as Caroline Bowler... View Article

Delivering savings in water usage and tenant bills

A big consumer of water in social housing is the bathroom. Here, Stuart Reynolds from AKW discusses how inclusive sanitaryware and showers are now being designed to promote water and energy-saving, delivering long-term savings that ultimately benefit tenant bills With... View Article

Passive fire safety explored

LISTEN HERE Graham Laws from Siderise Insulation explores some of the ways residential building owners and managers can ensure that buildings and their occupiers are properly protected with accurate passive fire protection such as cavity barriers and firestops Ensuring the... View Article