Setting new standards with AI pilot

We have partnered with AI specialist SPOTR to build a new approach to property management.

The SPOTR AI image analysis platform is helping Stonewater go above and beyond industry standard expectations by improving the speed and regularity of risk assessment using uploaded and open source images.

SPOTR’s software has been developed and trained to assess photographs from in and around properties to identify potential risks. It can recognise damp, mold, cracks and other dangers and highlight them to recommend appropriate action. SPOTR’s bespoke system then collates the results from analysis into one easy to use platform to support repair and maintenance planning, removing reliance on multiple databases or spreadsheets.

Stonewater’s properties are spread across the UK, and the company is dedicated to ensuring every home is a safe place people can enjoy living in.

This involves annual safety checks and regular monitoring in line with the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab's Law.

The Stonewater team began to test SPOTR’s AI technology following a knowledge exchange with Dutch housing associations.

“We have over 40,000 homes across the UK so keeping in touch on full assessments can be a huge challenge,” said Robert Panou, Director of Asset Strategy, Homes, Stonewater.

“While the existing model is working to keep our homes safe, the reality of the process means that – like most other housing providers – we don’t carry-out stock condition surveys to every home every year.

“This means that, while annual safety checks are happening much more regularly, it can sometimes be several years between full property assessments for each home. While this is the industry standard, we knew we could do better.

“The wider Stonewater team, contractors and partners visit customer’s homes on a regular basis, so we wanted to capitalise on this time. While it’s unfeasible to train everyone on identifying risks, they can snap a photo.

“When we heard about SPOTR’s AI image assessment tool we saw the opportunity to add an extra line of defence to act on potential risks faster. We’ve spent a year working with SPOTR to upload data, images and train the AI software specifically on UK homes, which have various idiosyncrasies and features. We’re now at a stage where it’s created a tool that is going to take our property management to the next level.”

SPOTR has been developing it’s AI software for eight years, bringing the teams’ knowledge of the housing industry to the forefront of its design. The combination of AI and building science expertise has created a platform that uses AI to assess images for potential risks and reports on findings in a clear and easy to use platform.

“Most providers are heavily reliant on spreadsheets to manage their homes,” said Dirk Huibers, CEO and Cofounder, SPOTR. “With plans, schedules and records spread across multiple documents, it is a time consuming challenge to manage.

“Our software provides a single Asset Management System that uses AI to add an extra layer of support to operational capacity. While our AI image assessment tool will never replace the need for human eyes and knowledge, it does create the opportunity to do more without increasing the time investment.

“It’s been a great learning experience working with Stonewater, for our AI and for our team. We’ve been able to understand the operational challenges faced by UK providers and been able to improve our processes to suit.”

As a founding UK partner, Stonewater has had a big impact on shaping the technology for the UK market. As the social housing provider moves beyond the pilot stage to implementation into its maintenance operations, there’s no question that Stonewater is setting a new standard, for themselves and the industry as a whole.