Showing posts with label Tower Blocks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tower Blocks. Show all posts

Thursday, 28 February 2019

Right Next Door

If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy


On Twitter, anyone who follows me, will know that I am always very interested in resident woes. I always want to know more, as it shines a light in many cases on ignorance, poor communication, governance/control of contractors, or in some cases residents who in whatever situation, are hard to please.

I must say (as I know quite a few tenants who read this blog), overwhelmingly, it’s the former, not the latter.

On a few occasions, I have read tweets & threads about residents, particularly in blocks and towers, not being allowed doormats and now video doorbells, the like of Hive & Nest supply.

Doormats when identified as fire risks, seem to make informed residents smirk and often kick-off, as their blocks are often less than what can be described, as ‘Fire Safe’. I have chatted a number of times with lots of contacts, such as Phil Murphy (@MancCommunities) on this one. It’s hard to see if this one is about a fundamental misunderstanding of general fire safety in residential blocks or overzealous paternal instincts. As Grenfell showed us, coconut matting doormats are the least of our worries.

So what of video doorbells? How could they be a danger?

Well it seems from some threads I have followed, they are a danger to contractor and servicing transparency. Some facts could be revealed that servicing contractors might preferred to be buried.

Servicing is statutory and should be undertaken with residents taken into account. Adequate communication, attempts to provide sensible appointments, gain access swiftly and efficiently. Solutions I often work with, are designed to make this all as painless as possible, enabling a high degree of “Getting it right 1st time”. It’s a no-brainier to work like this, as its actually the cheapest way to deliver a high quality service.

From anecdotal stories, this is not the experience of quite a few residents. Central London seems to be a particular problem, but I have read and heard stories from all around the UK. From where I am looking, transparency seems to be an issue, often between Landlord and (serving/repair) Contractor. The former should at all times be using systems to monitor the latter. Landlord should follow up with satisfaction surveys for residents to monitor. After collating that information, it should be used to better manage contractors.

Landlords are citing video doorbells as a data protection issue, as they might confirm presence of a Gas Engineer, making reasonable attempts or not to gain entry, before they card and record a no-access. I am not sure that argument can stack up. Removing the means of residents to monitor, does not solve probably a very real contractor management issue.

Too much of the ‘rapid carding’ by slapdash or on low profit margin contractors, can be detrimental to the landlords resident perception. This can cause issues with future repairs or potential added warning flags on rent accounts.     Systems software will allow this, although that is not generally their original design intention. If a resident suspects this may be the case, they can make a FOI (Freedom Of Information) request. This will reveal documented opinions, as well as general expected data.

I have experienced contractors who were allowed to ‘mark their own homework’, to a pretty extreme degree. Almost drawing the graph and plotting the data which netted them the bonus agreed in the five year contract every quarter.

Often returns from satisfaction surveys, vastly differed from what contractor stats were being presented. Ramping up satisfaction surveys, using automated systems, has in some cases confirmed issues like that and enabled landlords to attempt to manage out that kind of disorderly behaviour.

Residents should not be automatically put in the doghouse in my view. Their feedback (and video evidence if needed), should not be ridiculed and ignored, but taken more seriously.

Related Post: Time the Development pipeline is better plugged into Asset Management 
 

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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Robert Cray - Right Next DoorRobert Cray - Right Next Door.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact 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Saturday, 13 October 2018

Love Goes To Building On Fire


If you do the Twitter thing, follow me at @HousingITguy
or LinkedIn here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy



That phrase ‘Building On Fire’ in the UK pretty much conjures up thoughts of the London Grenfell Tower tragedy 14th June 2017, in which 72 people, including a stillborn birth perished, needlessly.



Originally tower blocks such as these were designed with fire safety in mind. In most cases, each flat was totally self-contained, sealed by concrete in most cases. Fire could not spread, this was a design feature. 

Improvement works, often with great intentions, to improve energy efficiency or aesthetics, can often introduce new fire hazards or new means for fire to accelerate, through new voids between dwellings or into them.

Often capital works are initially well planned, with regard to fire safety. Often if these works are cut back or only initial phases are completed, this is where opportunity for fire risks can be introduced. Alternatively, if a robust fire risk assessment regime is not in place, or maybe one is in place but reports are not actively closed out, problems and likelihood of risk to residents may result. I know the ICT systems are out there to record regular FRA’s and what follow up actions are required & taken. There’s plenty of them.

A new TPAS course, has been put together to try to address some of the problem areas above. ‘Resident Engagement in Building Safety’ runs on the 31st October 2018. This will cover:

•    How to support residents to understand building safety
•    Ways to involve residents in decision making with a focus on Multi Storey Blocks
•    How to share key information clearly and transparently
•    What types of support and resources deliver meaningful engagement
•    How to engage vulnerable residents successfully 

This course is designed for staff, board members and councilors or anyone who has an interest in, or responsibility for, resident engagement in building safety.

Lets work together landlords and residents, to make these tower blocks safer.

Read about the TPAS course here - https://www.tpas.org.uk/tpas-events/show/252 - I urge tower block tenants, landlords and contractors involved with tower block capital/planned works, to check it out. This course will do more than just raise awareness, this will potentially save lives. Just one more life lost as a result of lax fire safety, is one too many IMHO.

Additional dates this course runs are:
Book early! 

Related Post: Never mind your digital firewall, are you working on your human one? 


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I would be pleased to connect with you on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/tonysmiththathousingitguy Message me with any issues or queries, you would like to be explored in this blog. We generally receive a couple of suggestions each month.

Talking Heads – Love Goes To Building On FireTalking Heads – Love Goes To Building On Fire.
(c) Tony Smith, Acutance Consulting www.acutanceconsulting.co.uk 07854-655009


Access a quick list of our Social Housing ICT blog posts here

Could we help you or your organisation? Our contact details are here , get in touch we will be pleased to chat about your problems and help with your organisation issues.

File Under: 360,1stTouch,4Js. , 07854655009 ,365Agile," """" ",,#UKHousing,#HousingDAY, #HomesForBritain,#InternetOfTenants, #Shout,1st Touch,3squared,Accuserv,Acutence,Aareon,Academy,ActiveH,AirWatch,Alignment,ALMO,Anite,Apex,ArchHouse,Archouse,asbestos, Asprey e-state pro,ActiveHousing,Asset Management,Aurora,Average IT Costs,App,Associates,ACL,Abritas,AMS,AX,aspireview,Agile365, BO,BPR,Browser Applications,Business Objects,Business Planning, Business Process Review,Business social networking, Blockwise, Block wise,BI,BancTec,BluTek,Bluebox, Castle,CBL,Cedar Open Accounts,Cx,Change,Cheaper Housing IT,Chics, CHR,Citrix,Civica,Clearview,CMS , CCS IT Keystone CCSIT,Civica Genero,Contractor Systems,CORE,CorVu,Cost Reductions,Covalent,CRM,Crystal Reports,CTI,CTX,Customer Relationship Management,Cashflow, COA,Coactiva,Codeman,Comino,Competitive Dialogue process,complex IT procurements,Component Accounting, Community Reward Services, Consilium, Consolidation, Consultancy,Consultant,Contact Manager,Context,CIH,Chartered Institute Of Housing,Cadcorp,Cerrus Saturn,convergeOne,CACI,CPL, CRS Director, Deeplake,Development Systems,Accuserve,Document Management,Documotive,datasystems , Microsoft dynamics GP 2013, DynamicAI, Dynamic AI, ECMK,EDRMS,England, English,EnterpriseBI,ERP Systems,ERP,Elmhurst,Estatecraft,EDM,ESRI,Exponential-e, Finance, Financial Systems, Financials, Factorwise,Facebook ,Footprint,Fusion, Getting best from,gotonysmith, Grasp,Grip,GeoSolveIT,GIS,GGP,Genero,GCloud,G-Cloud,HouSys,Housing software,HFI (Housing Financials interface),HG,Housemark survey,Housing Blueprint,Housemark,Housing Portfolio Management System, HRA,housingtITguy,Housing Support Pro,HousingSupportPro,Housing Options,Hometeam, Housing Group,hotpixuk, HousingIT,hotpix,Hardware,Hitex,Housing Contact Company,housing predictive analytics, Impact Response,iPayPro,implementations,iRobot,In House,InHouse,In4,InMotion, InMotion2016, InMotion2015, InMotion2016 , Exhibition, conference,Housing Management Consultant,Housing Management Consultants, Infoflow,Information Technology,Informix,inHouse,in-house workforce,Information@Work components, Innovation,Inside Housing,Internet Portal,Internetalia,Information Management Server,IMS, Invu,Ireland,Irish,Inphase , IT Budget,IT Training,iWorld, Innovation Group Apex,ITIL, In4Systems Promaster,IT,Insight, iSupport,iSupportPro, Keylogic,Keystone,Kirona,Kypera,Keypera Hometeam,Keyfax,Ledgers,Linkedin,Locality,Liquid Voice,MD ,Mr Void , MrVoid, Measuring Change,Mebus,Miracle,MISCS,mDesign,mobile functionality,mobile platform,Monopoly board images and pictures, Montal,MS Dynamics,MS Dynamics CRM2011,Miracle Software,MDM,Management,CRM2013,Reporting,MI,M3,MIS,MIS-AMS,Mobysoft, Northgate Codeman,Neighbourhoods and Communities,NPS,NPS Housing,NPS CRM,NPS Job Manager Mobile, Northgate,Notice,NROSH,NINTEX,NINTEX workflow,Natural Forms,Nintexworkflow,NPS ASSIST, OA,OGC Buying Solutions,Ohms,OJEU Limits,OmFax,Omniledger,Open source software,open tender,OpenHousing,Opti-time,Oracle,Orchard,Optitime DRS,Outsource and outsourcing,OpenContractor,ORS,OneServe, PIMMS Data Systems, Paloma,performance management systems,PfH, Pick,PIMMS,pimms4communities, Planned maintenance,People Value,Plus, Peoplevalue,Portfolio Management System, PM,Progress,Promaster,Proval,Pyramid,PRINCE2,prince,Pamwin,PlanForm, Propoints, Pro-Points,predictive analytics for housing, QL,QLX,Quiss,Qlikview, QueryView,Queryview reporting,Registered Providers,Registered Social Landlord,Rent Increase Freezes,Repairfinder,Reporting,Reports,ROCC,RobotAutomation,Rave Technologies (India) PVT Limited, Rocket,RPs,RSL,Reality,ReAct,reidmark,RM865, Saffron,SAP,Scots, "Social Housing IT",Social Housing ICT, Scottish,Scenario, Scotland,SDM,sector,TonySmithHou,Safron,Server Virtualisation,servicing, Servitor,Sharepoint, Simdel,Simdell,SimPro,Sim Pro,Slash and Burn,Social Media,Software,SQL Open Housing,SQL Reporting Services,SQL reporting services,SQL Server,Star rating,Stores and Stock,Strategic Asset Management,Sunguard ,Surveys,Sx3,System alignment,Symatrix Human Capital Management, TonySmithHousing, Systemwise,SM,Sequoa,Serros,SP,Scout,score,Swordfish,Serengeti,SOTI,southview,Sunguard,Service Charges,Spotlight Service, Spotlightservice, SunAccounts, Social Housing Software Applications, Template,Task,Terminal Services, tonys , tonysm , tonysmi , tonysmith, tonysmitht, gotonysmith, tableau Business Dashboards, tonysmithth, tonysmiththa, tonysmiththat, tonysmiththath, tonysmiththatho, tonysmiththathou, tonysmiththathous, tonysmiththathousi, tonysmiththathousin, tonysmiththathousing,Tony Smith That,Tony Smith That Housing IT Guy,TonySmith that housing IT, guy,tonysmiththathousing, tonysmiththathousinguy,tony smith housing guy,sharepoint, share point, SHBVN, Three Star,Today,Total repairs,Tribal,Twitter,U2, tonysmith , tonysmiththat , thathousing , thathousingIT , thathousingITguy, TED,Tagish Casework,TP Tracker,Telecetera,Tagra,Trace, 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