Whilst we may not soon be quite in the realms of the above picture the future of repairs and maintenance is beginning to look like science fiction. As a company overseeing over 700,000 properties and 65,000 emergency maintenance issues last year alone, we obviously take a keen interest in what may be possible, so what are we expecting to see in the next few years (or even now)?
Firstly the idea of just trying to explain issues to your Property Manager or Landlord is definitely a thing of the past, smartphones and WhatsApp calls are normal these days but the next level is qualified engineers available on demand via video to appraise, advice and help immediate reinstatement (think boiler re-pressurisations for nervous tenants, electric gate resets via concierge or even data capture to ensure parts diagnosis for first visit repair). Even as several service vie for market leadership developers are working on AI versions of these to aid residents and staff 24/7 without ever becoming tired or unavailable and furthermore several tests of robot repairs have taken place whereby automated machines, complete with live video feed to an engineer carry out basic maintenance.
As the Internet of Things grows sensor based remote reporting on such things as alarms on fire systems, leak detection units and communal plant are more commonplace but already in beta roll out is a product which can predict the breakdown of boilers both individual and communal AND what part is failing, allowing engineers to attend before an interruption of service.
Virtual tours became common during Covid for sales and lettings and now digital twins of whole sites and buildings complete with building information allow asset and property managers and contractors to “visit” the building remotely for quoting, understanding the building or even to train staff on complex sites. An augmented reality version of this which adds real time information to be plugged in is the next goal of several developers.
Combine all these items and we may well have more remote information, understanding and ability to immediately fix multiple issues without even visiting site leading to quicker reinstatement times, happier residents and an overall reduction in the carbon footprint of each building.
Colin Stokes is the Managing Director of Adiuvo, the out of hours call handling service for the property sector.
