
Why Intelligent Housing Data is Critical in 2025 and Beyond
Intelligent use of dependable and accurate data has become a cornerstone of the UK’s social housing sector. From safeguarding residents to enhancing accountability and improving services, housing associations and local authorities must place data at the heart of their decision-making processes.
Recent events and forthcoming changes to regulations have made it clear that a smarter, data-focused approach is key to managing social housing successfully.
Lessons from Grenfell: A Turning Point for Housing
The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 was a devastating turning point for the housing sector. It claimed 72 lives and exposed serious failings in building safety and resident management. A key issue was poor data management. Housing providers lacked accurate records about the building’s materials and its residents.
The inquiry revealed that critical safety information was incomplete or scattered across different systems. Details about the cladding used in the refurbishment, which contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, were either poorly documented or unavailable. This made it difficult for authorities and emergency services to effectively respond. The absence of up-to-date resident lists delayed rescue efforts and complicated the identification of victims. Grenfell highlighted the urgent need for better data governance to prevent such tragedies and protect lives.
Awaab’s Law: Ensuring Accountability
The death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020 was another wake-up call for the housing sector. He died due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home, managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. Despite repeated complaints from his family, the issue was not addressed.
In response, Awaab’s Law was introduced, requiring housing providers to investigate and resolve damp and mould issues within strict timelines. To comply, organisations must have robust systems to track complaints, monitor progress, and ensure timely resolutions. Having clear, accurate, accessible data is essential to meeting these requirements and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
New Consumer Standards and the Role of Data
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) published it’s updated Consumer Standards on 1 April 2024. These new standards place a greater emphasis on data, and include:
The Safety and Quality Standard: Housing providers must keep detailed records on the condition of property, including fire safety systems, structural integrity, and maintenance schedules. Maintaining a digital register of safety inspections and repair logs can help identify risks early and address them before they become hazards.
The Transparency, Influence, and Accountability Standard: Providers will need to share information openly with residents and involve them in decisions. Online dashboards showing repair timelines, safety updates, and service performance can build trust and foster better engagement.
Neighbourhood and Community Standard: This standard focuses on the upkeep of communal spaces like gardens and play areas. Providers will need to collect resident feedback, track maintenance issues, and prioritise improvements based on reliable data.
Tenancy Standard: To support tenants and prevent evictions, providers must gather data on tenant interactions, payment histories, and support needs. Predictive tools can help identify tenants at risk and provide tailored interventions, such as financial advice or mental health support.
To help organisations adapt, ARK Consultancy has created a series of videos featuring insights from its experts—Director Helen Scurr, Assistant Director Paul O’Callaghan, and Associate Director Nick Sedgwick. These videos explain the new standards and highlight the importance of data in achieving compliance.

Turning Data into Information, and Meaningful Action
Simply collecting and storing data isn’t enough, it’s how you use it that truly matters. Many organisations face challenges in transforming raw data into information that creates actionable insights. Asset management software, like our award-nominated Strategic Asset Performance (ASAP) model, are designed to make intelligent use of data, and help housing providers make smarter decisions, improve the performance of their assets, and boost resident satisfaction, all while staying compliant with regulations. Beyond meeting standards, this approach creates real, positive changes for communities.

Our Data Team are continually developing ASAP and our housing products. A Damp & Mould module is in development which will use data to help organisations predict which of their homes are most likely to be affected by damp & mould, helping to prioritise works and avoid further tragic cases like that of Awaab Ishak. You can register your interest in this here.
The UK’s social housing sector is at a crossroads. Past events have shown the devastating consequences of poor data management, while the new regulations demand greater transparency, accountability, and safety. To meet these challenges, housing providers must embrace intelligent data management as the foundation for safer, better services.
At ARK, we are dedicated to supporting the sector through this transformation. With more than 35 years experience, expertise in turning data into information, and a wealth of regulatory expertise, we help organisations unlock the potential of their data. In social housing, data is more than just numbers, it’s the key to building trust, ensuring safety, and improving lives. Now is the time to act.
Contact us today to discuss how ARK can help you make intelligent use of your data, or book a demo of ASAP here
News & Insights
Read the latest housing sector news, blogs, and commentary from ARK.

EPC C by 2030: The Clock is Ticking
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ARK Assistant Director Paul O’Callaghan’s 40-Mile Charity Walk for We Can Kick It
By Pete Evans ·ARK proudly supports Paul O’Callaghan’s 40-mile walk for We Can Kick It, raising funds for children battling cancer through football …

Helping Housing Associations Navigate Strategic Risks in 2025
By Helen Scurr ·This article discusses the key risks facing housing associations in 2025, as revealed by Inside Housing’s 2025 Risk Register survey. …
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