Technology is reshaping the way property inspections are carried out, offering faster, more efficient, and data-driven solutions. While drones and thermal surveys have already made a significant impact, the next wave of innovation is set to make property management more proactive and cost-effective.
For block managers, this shift is crucial. Managing multiple buildings means staying on top of maintenance schedules, compliance, leaseholder and tenant issues, and unexpected repairs; all while balancing budgets and resources. The challenge has always been how to anticipate issues rather than just react to them. New technology is making this possible by helping to detect problems earlier, reduce reactive and emergency repair costs, and provide a better service to clients.
So what’s next are the next innovations in property inspections solutions and technology and how can these help block managers stay ahead?
AI-Powered Defect Detection
One of the biggest challenges for ensuring that building inspections catch problems before they escalate into costly repairs. Traditionally, this has relied on visual assessments and regular site visits. Drones and remote inspections opened up a safer, more efficient and cost effective way of undertaking inspections of roofs and elevations. Ensuring that all areas could be recorded and analysed.
However, as AI-driven image analysis begins to emerge the landscape benefits could be increased evermore. By scanning images and videos from surveys, AI should be able to automatically detect cracks, leaks and material degradation. This means issues can be flagged earlier, allowing managers to schedule planned maintenance rather than respond to emergencies. Faster defect detection also leads to quicker reporting, making it easier to provide updates to leaseholders and freeholders.
Once Ai can truly be relied upon to identify issues correctly and consistently those professionals providing drone and remote inspections will become an ever more valuable partner to property managers.
Real-Time Monitoring & Smart Buildings
One-off inspections provide a snapshot of a building’s condition, but what happens between visits? Many block managers face sudden or recurring issues with failing equipment, leaks, damp or even structural movement; problems that often go unnoticed until they become serious.
This is where real-time monitoring comes in. With sensors tracking factors like humidity, temperature, vibration and water ingress; property managers can receive alerts the moment something changes. For example a small increase in temperature of a heating module beyond what is expected could trigger an alert to enable early intervention before a major problem develops.
By integrating these insights into maintenance planning, blocks can reduce the number of reactive call-outs and extend the lifespan of key assets such as M&E plant and various building elements and services.
This is part of the growth of smart buildings and IoT (Internet of Things) enabled systems. Instead of relying on routine maintenance schedules or waiting for something to break, buildings can now self-monitor their condition. Smart systems track how well M&E plant, lifts, HVAC systems, and drainage are functioning, helping to predict when servicing or repairs are needed.
This predictive maintenance model is already helping large property portfolios to cut costs by ensuring that repairs are carried out only when necessary—reducing unnecessary servicing while preventing expensive failures. Over time, as more buildings adopt smart monitoring, this approach will likely become the standard for asset management.
Digital Twins
It is important for those involved in block management to have accurate, up-to-date records of their buildings. Site plans and past survey reports can be incomplete or outdated, making it harder to track changes over time.
Digital twins can now provide property managers with detailed, digital models of buildings. These models provide a permanent and highly accurate reference point, allowing for better tracking of repairs, planned maintenance and external works. These digital twins can be updated and interacted with virtually so that the information can be shared and understood within the referenced model. They can be shared and viewed online from anywhere in the world enabling remote access and speeding up decision making and dispute resolution.
They also avoid the problem of historical knowledge being lost when staff change or new managing agents take over and reduces disputes regarding major works or maintenance undertaken.
Smarter Reporting & Data-Driven Decisions
Reporting on building condition and maintenance can be a burden for block managers and their various stakeholders. Gathering information from various sources and keeping track of planned and undertaken actions can be time-consuming and inconsistent.
New software solutions now allow reports to be automatically generated, compiling information from different sources and presenting key information in professional, easy-to-read formats. This makes it easier for block managers to present clear information to their clients speeding up decision-making. The future growth of Ai in this sector will quickly gather and analyse this data making ever more valuable and accessible ensuring nothing gets overlooked
On a larger scale data-driven decision-making is growing within the built environment as a whole. By analysing large data sets we can start to identify patterns and recurring issues—for example, tracking which types of cladding are most prone to failure, or which buildings tend to experience the same damp problems year after year. This insight makes it easier to forecast maintenance budgets and justify long-term investment in key repairs. Professionals such as surveyors will be able to use this information to provide insight and advice based on this knowledge and the clients historic knowledge of their buildings coupled with the speed and ability of Ai.
The Bigger Picture
The key challenge for block managers has always been balancing cost, risk and service levels. No one wants to overspend on maintenance, but equally, failing to catch an issue early can result in major financial headaches later on.
The shift towards AI-driven inspections, real-time monitoring, digital records, and predictive maintenance is all about being proactive rather than reactive to maintenance and repairs; ensuring those involved can see the whole picture and better understand their properties.
For managing agents and freeholders, this means:
• Fewer surprise repair costs and emergency call-outs
• A stronger case for planned maintenance budgets
• More transparency for leaseholders and stakeholders
• Longer lifespan for key building components
The property industry is moving away from reactive maintenance towards proactive, tech-driven solutions. Those who embrace these innovations early will reduce costs, improve service and future-proof their businesses.
For block managers, the question isn’t whether these changes are coming; it’s how soon they’re prepared to take advantage of them. Engaging knowledgable, experienced professionals who understand both the solutions and the cost benefit they provide will be vital as these solutions and systems mature.
With the pace of change in technology, software systems and Ai development we can only see 6-12months into the future. It’s an exciting time to be involved in Proptech sharing expertise and insights as well as continually updating our knowledge will be key for everyone involved.
Adam Bailey
Earl Kendrick
Director of EK Specialist Surveys
Adam was a block manager for 10 years before becoming involved in Proptech; first introducing drone surveys to the built environment in 2013 and since growing EK Specialist Surveys service offering. He is now leading the adoption of specific software and Ai solutions within the Earl Kendrick Group.
