The challenge of managing void properties continues to impact housing associations across the UK, with each vacant property representing significant loss in revenue and mounting maintenance costs. However, drone technology is changing how housing associations approach void property inspections, dramatically reducing assessment times and accelerating the re-letting process.
The hidden cost of empty properties
When properties become void, housing associations face multiple urgent challenges: assessing structural damage, identifying safety hazards, and evaluating necessary repairs - all while minimising the void period.
Vantage UAV's drone inspection services address these challenges head-on by providing a fast and thorough external property assessment, with capabilities of internal inspections also. Our advanced drones capture high-resolution imagery of roofing and façade defects, structural issues, and potential water ingress points, while thermal imaging technology identifies hidden damp problems and insulation failures. This comprehensive data is transferred to our in-house portal and enables Housing Associations to quickly evaluate repair requirements of void stock, prioritise works, and make informed decisions about property rehabilitation, without the delays and costs associated with traditional access methods. Data can be easily turned into reports and shared with stakeholders or transferred to contractors with severity ratings, notes and location points.
The benefits of using drones for void inspections
While traditional void inspections can take months to complete and incur costs for ongoing scaffolding, drone surveys can be conducted within days of a property becoming vacant with no scaffolding requirements. This efficiency isn't just about speed - it's about significant cost savings. The investment in a drone inspection is minimal compared to the ongoing costs of an empty property, which can amount to thousands of pounds per month in lost rent, council tax, security costs and maintenance expenses.
A strategic approach to void property management begins with a comprehensive external assessment. By identifying and addressing structural issues, water ingress points, and potential defects before commencing internal renovations, housing associations can avoid the costly cycle of internal repairs being compromised by external problems. This exterior-first approach, enabled by our drone technology, ensures that fundamental issues are resolved early, streamlining the entire refurbishment process and accelerating the property's return to market.
Vantage UAV’s drone inspection support:
- Fast collection of detailed roof and external façade condition data
- Identification of structural issues, damp problems, and thermal inefficiencies
- Safe inspection of hard-to-reach areas without access equipment
- Internal building inspections and 3D modelling
- In-house data management portal with actionable insights
- Digital, time-stamped documentation for improved asset management records and communication
- Precise measurements and locations for accurate contractor work
The data collected through our drone surveys enable housing associations to make informed decisions about property maintenance and renovation priorities, allowing for:
- Immediate identification of urgent repairs
- Better planning of non-essential works
- Updated asset management records
- More accurate budgeting and resource allocation
- Faster contractor engagement
- Accelerated property turnaround
Future-proofing housing stock
Beyond immediate void management, drone surveys contribute to long-term asset management strategies. The detailed digital records created during inspections provide valuable baseline data for future maintenance planning and property performance monitoring.
By implementing drone inspection services, Housing Associations can significantly reduce void periods, minimise inspection costs, and maintain more accurate property records. This ultimately maximises property returns while supporting sustainable community development.
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