Category: Insight

The Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022 introduces new requirements for building owners to demonstrate that they have effective measures in place to identify and manage safety risks. The Act enables residents in higher-risk buildings to have a say in the management of their building and raise concerns directly with the Accountable Person, who will have a duty to listen to them.

As part of their statutory obligations, the Act requires the Accountable Person(s) to prepare and keep under review a resident engagement strategy. It must provide residents with relevant safety information and risks about their building.

The strategy will need to be provided to all residents aged 16 years and over and should be regularly reviewed and updated. It also forms part of the golden thread of information and must be submitted with the safety case to the Building Safety Regulator. 

What does your resident engagement strategy need to include?

Every resident engagement strategy will be different, but the Act says it must detail:

• What information will be provided to residents.

• What residents will be consulted on.

• How residents’ views will be sought.

• How residents’ views will be taken into account.

• How the effectiveness of the strategy will be measured.

So where do you start?

One of the requirements of the Building Safety Act is that building owners and property managers should understand the needs of every household living within the building, especially if there are any disabled or vulnerable residents living there. As well as whether residents have a preferred language for communication. This will help shape your evacuation procedures and how you choose to communicate to residents on an ongoing basis.

Therefore, the success of your engagement strategy will rely heavily on how well you know the residents living within your buildings. Often this information can be difficult to access – resident information may be held in different systems, in sporadic emails, or managed by different staff. To ensure you comply with the Building Safety Act, it’s paramount that this information is easily accessible.

How technology can help?

Spike PMS has been designed to be the single view for property managers, with integrations to many third-party systems including finance, CRM and maintenance management. By consolidating data from different sources this enables property managers to quickly find and access the information they need, whenever they need it.

More importantly it enables them to perform various actions, such as having the ability to send out communication and documentation directly to tenants and leaseholders, whether that’s by email or directly to the Spike app. All communication and documentation that has been sent to a property, leaseholder or tenant is logged in Spike, with property managers able to see who’s opened and read the communication which forms an important part of the golden thread.

What’s more, with Spike PMS, you can automate the sending of communication and documentation. For instance when a resident moves into a building, property managers are able to set up a workflow that can automatically send all of the necessary fire safety documentation and any other important information to them, ensuring that you remain compliant, and nothing gets missed.

Example

Taking the example of having to know whether any residents are disabled and potentially would require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency. If this information hasn’t been collected or property managers want to make sure it’s accurate and up to date, they can send out a service request directly to residents via the Spike app asking for residents to populate which then automatically gets logged and updated against the resident profile.

Once this information has been obtained, this provides property managers the ability to filter by these fields, and then send the appropriate communication and documentation such as tailored Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) or any other specific information relating to that individual resident.

Summary 

In order for your resident engagement strategy to be effective, consider the technology used to keep residents informed, engaged and updated.

Spike PMS brings property managers, tenants and leaseholders closer together via a dedicated app, ensuring that important safety information reaches those who need it, when they need it. This helps property managers meet obligations and the latest regulations.

Sign up to our webinar! 

Join our Tech Talk in partnership with The Property Institute on Thursday 9th May to learn how technology can:

• Use technology to increase building safety and support Golden Thread requirements.
• Identify your repetitive manual tasks and automate them.
• Strengthen customer retention and foster resident engagement using technology.

We are pleased to share that Spike has been nominated for the Technology Innovator of the Year Award at the Property Week Resi Awards 2024, recognising Spike’s dedication to driving change in the residential sector through its cutting-edge technology solutions. 

In 2023, we saw a surge in demand for our solutions, both nationally and internationally, with our award-winning resident engagement portal now deployed across more than 500 buildings in 15 countries. Along with new partnerships with industry-leading names such as Casa by Moda, Niche Living, and Baxter Homes emphasising Spike’s position as a pioneer in reshaping the residential landscape. 

Research has shown that a significant percentage of our happiness is tied to the quality of our living environment, highlighting the importance of ensuring a positive and convenient residential experience.

Spike Living addresses this by offering a comprehensive suite of features, including centralised document management, the ability to book onsite amenities and services, maintenance reporting, direct messaging with staff, and much more, all aimed at enhancing residents’ daily lives. 

Furthermore, Spike Living also serves as a bridge between residential communities and local businesses, revitalising the local economy while enriching the resident experience. Through strategic alliances and integrations, Spike ensures that residents have access to exclusive discounts and services, forging stronger relationship between residential developments and their surroundings. 

As we eagerly anticipate the Property Week Resi Awards ceremony on Wednesday 1st May 2024, at Grosvenor House, London, we extend our gratitude to the judges for recognising Spike’s contributions to the industry.

Congratulations to all the finalists who made the shortlist! We’re looking forward to an exciting night celebrating innovation, excellence, and the future of residential living.  

See the full shortlist here.  

We’re thrilled to share that Spike has been nominated for the CommuniCare Impact Award at the prestigious Global ESG Awards 2024, recognising Spike’s commitment to fostering positive social change within our clients’ developments and the surrounding communities. 

Our nomination highlights the significant impact we’ve achieved in enhancing community engagement, social interaction and placemaking through our innovative tenant engagement solutions. 

An example includes the work that Spike has been doing with Riverwalk Innovation Hub, a major office development situated at the heart of Citywest Business Campus in Dublin. Working closely with Bartra, Spike developed The Riverwalk Workplace app, a tailored solution designed to connect tenants, staff, and property managers seamlessly. 

The app facilitates communication, provides essential information, and fosters a sense of community among tenants. Through features such as push notifications and the online social clubs and forums, tenants can engage with each other, organise events and stay updated on campus activities. Tenants can also use the app to submit any queries they have to JLL Ireland, the managing agent, which has encouraged regular feedback on what they are enjoying the most and what they would like to see added to the campus. 

After the Covid-19 pandemic, the JLL Estate Team had the challenge of how-to encourage people back into the workplace. The app played a pivotal role by showcasing the safety measure in place and highlighting the events that were taking place across the development, such as Taco Thursday and regular fitness classes. The Riverwalk Workplace app has quickly become an integral part of the Riverwalk experience, with over 500 tenants now back in the office on a regular basis and using the app.  

Spike’s commitment to social impact extends internally as well, with the team actively participating in various fundraising events and charity initiatives. In addition, Spike fosters a diverse culture and encourages employees to celebrate their individuality. For instance, cultural holidays provide opportunities for the team to see their heritage celebrated at work, which can enable them to feel a sense of belonging, respect, and representation. All these initiatives earnt Spike a spot on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2023. 

The Global ESG Awards 2024 voting is open to the public until 18th February, we invite you to support Spike by casting your vote here. 

The winner will be announced at this year’s MIPIM where the trophy presentation will take place at the Grand Auditorium Stage on Tuesday 12th of March 2024. 

Join us in championing sustainability, innovation, and positive change. Thank you for your support! 

After the success of last year’s charity initiative with Dorset Mind, we are thrilled to announce our 2024 Charity of the Year as Hope for Food. 

Selected by staff, Hope for Food is a volunteer-driven charity with a noble mission: provide basic necessities to those in our local area who are homeless or living in poverty. Their efforts include providing meals and food parcels, clothing distribution, and supplying small household goods. Hope for Food operates with deep respect and dignity, offering help to anyone in need, judgement-free.

During their Christmas appeal, Hope for Food, distributed 428 Christmas food parcels and over 1,750 selection boxes to children, along with 234 regular food parcels. Beyond food, they also provided gift vouchers, stocking fillers, and gift bags to families and individuals in refuges or supported housing, including four hostels which they support. This ensured that the festive spirit was felt by all, regardless of their circumstances.

In their ongoing mission, Hope for Food consistently supports around 160 families weekly with food parcels, fresh produce, toiletries, and household cleaning packs. They also cater to the community’s broader needs by providing food, drinks, clothing, shoes, bedding, tents/sleeping bags and other essential items on a twice weekly basis to the homeless, rough sleepers and vulnerably housed. As well as responding to specific requests from social and support workers, demonstrating a commitment to addressing both general and specific needs within the community.

Although they received remarkable support during the holiday season, the charity is now facing a drastic decrease in donations, averaging just 2-3 donations per week. Spike is committed to helping the charity maintain it’s essential food, clothing and household item supplies to that they can continue supporting those in need.  

 
As part of our partnership with Hope for Food, our team will be participating in a wide range of activities, including volunteering at Hope for Food’s meal distribution drives, soup kitchens, providing donations for food, clothing and essential items, as well as taking part in fundraising events to support Hope for Food’s mission to assist less fortunate households and families in our community.  

 
We invite our clients, partners, friends and members of our community to join us in making a difference by supporting Hope for Food throughout 2024. Together, we can contribute to a brighter future for those facing hardship. 

You can see all the fantastic work Hope for Food are doing and donate here.  

Up until the recent Build-to-Rent boom, BTR had typically catered to students and young professionals who were embarking on their careers. Fast forward a few years, and it’s the 25-34 year olds who now make up the most common demographic of residents, with an increasing percentage of 55-64 year olds living in BTR developments too. The current financial climate is likely to push this recent shift even further, increasing its wide-scale appeal, especially with hesitant first-time buyers. 

As the demographics of those living in BTR are changing, so too are the expectations and needs from their rented properties. 

Shifting priorities

Each BTR development is unique, offering residents a variety of amenities and services included in their monthly rent or as additional paid for services. Operators recognise the importance of having unique and varied spaces with an incredible array of facilities and services on offer to potential residents, from dining rooms and cinema rooms to rooftop spaces, communal gardens and dedicated wellness rooms. With shifting demographics however, it may be wise to keep options open and create more flexible, multi-purpose amenity spaces to allow residents to decide for themselves how to use these areas.

As well as high-quality amenities and facilities, research has revealed that one of the biggest priorities for renters is having the latest connectivity options when. According to a survey of 500 residents and 200 apartment operators conducted by DISH Business, 81% of property owners and managers indicated that technology services were important in keeping residents satisfied, while 67% agreed that they could do more to provide the highest level of technology to their residents.

Connectivity done right 

A 2019 report from Wiredscore, ‘Poor Foundations: the state of UK residential connectivity’, claims two-thirds of developers can rent their well-connected properties at a higher price and possibly with a greater yield. Two-fifths – 40% – of developers have seen an increase in demand for their properties, while more than half – 56% – stating they can rent their properties for longer, due to the improved in-home experience. 

Managed internet service providers, such as ASK4, can elevate a resident’s connectivity experience, which can then return in higher rates of retention. Traditional ISPs tend to have a number of limitations when it comes to connectivity in multi-tenant buildings. Firstly, the lack of a managed service layer, means monitoring and maintenance, as well as proactive improvements to the service are either not at the level that residents expect, or are simply missing altogether, resulting in a worse experience for both residents and on-site teams.

ASK4’s 4Network delivers seamless connectivity for an unlimited number of smart devices to provide a connectivity experience, just as you would expect in a traditional home setting. What’s more though, this network extends site-wide beyond the walls of a resident’s apartment, meaning that that smart devices in their own spaces can be operated while dining in the building’s cafe, or working out in the gym for instance. This helps residents to integrate into a building’s wider community and make those communal facilities feel part of their home. 

Building a community with connectivity 

BTR residents are drawn to the promise of a vibrant community within their building. Common areas designed for social interaction, such as communal lounges, rooftop gardens, and co-working spaces are highly valued. Latest ONS data has revealed that those aged between 16-29 are over twice as likely to report feeling lonely often or always than those over 70, so it’s no surprise that this years’ Who Lives in Build-to-Rent report found that social spaces were rated as one of the most important amenities to residents, along with a social calendar and events. These spaces foster a sense of belonging and provide opportunities for residents to connect, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships with their neighbours. 

However, residents do not suddenly become part of a community just because there are communal spaces, or someone has put up an event flyer on a noticeboard. Resident engagement portals like Spike Living play an increasingly important part. Through Spike Living, residents can connect with each other instantly, and the ‘what’s around me’ feature can highlight local shops and services, reducing the anxiety around moving to a new location. In addition to providing much-needed visibility to smaller businesses, encouraging residents to explore what’s on their doorsteps.

What’s more, Spike Living allows residents to create their own clubs and forums, enabling residents to find like-minded people who share similar interests. Whilst staff can share and promote in-house and local events, all helping to foster a sense of community. Developments that have implemented resident engagement portals have reported a 20% increase in resident participation in community events and initiatives in the first 3 months alone. 

Summary 

BTR residents are seeking more than just a place to live—they crave a comprehensive living experience that aligns with their values and connectivity needs, both digitally and physically. Developers and operators who understand and cater to these desires by providing adequate internet connectivity, community-focused spaces, and resident portals are poised to attract and retain a diverse range of residents. As the BTR sector continues to evolve, staying attuned to these preferences will be crucial for those aiming to create thriving, dynamic living communities. 

Spike is thrilled to be shortlisted for this year’s UK PropTech Awards in the ‘Social Impact’ category which celebrates companies leveraging technology solutions to positively benefit society and enhance people’s lives, whilst emphasising wellbeing and staff engagement in social impact interventions. This nomination stands as a testament to our commitment to creating thriving communities across the developments that use Spike.

Leveraging Technology for Social Change

Our award-winning resident engagement portal, Spike Living, provides a user-friendly platform that facilitates community engagement, social interaction, and placemaking, ensuring residents feel connected to their surroundings.

Recent statistics have revealed that the more friends a resident has within their building, the more likely they are to renew their tenancy. Without any friends living in their community, residents only have a 29% chance of renewing. That number jumps to 38% if they have 1-3 friends, and if they have 7 or more friends, there’s a 47% likelihood that they’ll renew. 

What’s more, it’s been reported that loneliness is up 40%, according to a report published by the Office for National Statistics. When residents first move into their new accommodation, it is likely that they will be unfamiliar with the surrounding area and may not have made friends or met many people. Through Spike Living, residents can effortlessly connect, discover local services, and initiate friendships, addressing the increasing issue of loneliness and the initial challenges residents face when settling into a new environment. 

Spike Living isn’t just limited to fostering friendships, it also acts as a central information hub. Residents and property management can digitally communicate to share information, access building manuals, as well as residents being able track their own energy consumption through our partnership with Utopi, contributing to a more environmentally conscious and efficient community. 

Ensuring Equality and Employee Wellbeing 

Spike’s commitment to social impact also extends internally. Spike prioritises a workplace culture where staff feel valued, respected, and have avenues to voice their concerns. The company actively nurtures a culture of inclusivity and employee wellbeing. Initiatives such as fostering a diverse work environment and celebrating cultural holidays have created a sense of belonging and respect among our staff. 

We also take pride in our gender-inclusive practices through participating in initiatives such as International Women’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Day. We’re proud to have built a cohesive work environment that encourages individuality and camaraderie. 

At the start of 2023, we also introduced a ‘Charity of the Year’ initiative, empowering employees to select a charity to support. By engaging in various fundraising events, beach clean-ups, through partnering with Dorset Mind, we not only support the chosen charity but also share wellness initiatives across our client communities. 

Recognition and Growth

Our commitment to our employees recently earned us a spot on The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2023 list, recognising organisations with the highest employee engagement and wellbeing levels.

We achieved an overall engagement score of 87%, 11% higher than the industry average. We also scored highly across the key categories for employee engagement and workplace happiness including reward and recognition, instilling pride, sharing information, employee wellbeing, and job satisfaction.

Summary

Spike’s solutions exemplify how technology can be harnessed to create thriving, interconnected communities. Our nomination for the UK PropTech Awards 2023 – Social Impact award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to social good and community building through innovative tech solutions, regardless of the outcome.  

To view the full shortlist of nominees for the UK PropTech Awards 2023, visit the official website here.