From Reactive to Predictive: Driving Housing Efficiency with Data and Analytics

Most social housing providers rely on outdated reporting tools and dashboards to understand what’s happening across their properties, maintenance operations and finances. Reporting alone only tells half the story and focuses on the present or something that has recently happened. 

With social housing associations and local authorities under more pressure than ever before, this is no longer enough. Now, not only is it essential to report performance, but also to anticipate future needs, risks and opportunities. 

This shift from reactive to predictive is only made possible with the right software. This is where ROCC is leading the way in the industry. In this article, we explore how ROCC is driving housing efficiency with its predictive analytics tools.

Reporting is only the beginning; prediction is the goal

Data reporting is still hugely important. Traditional dashboards can show social housing providers where backlogs are present, which repairs are taking too long, and where budgets are being reached, but they do have some limitations. This includes:

• They consider past events or situations
• They need manual interpretation
• They don’t tell you what might happen next

This is why it’s vital to recognise that reporting is only the start of a much bigger data journey. With ROCC, predictive analytics transforms this process by producing actionable intelligence on what to do next. Customers can see what’s happening now and what’s likely to occur in the future.

With over 120 out-of-the-box reports and 10 powerful predictive forecasting models, plus the freedom and control for users to build unlimited models themselves, ROCC equips social housing providers to understand their current performance and what is likely to happen tomorrow, next quarter or even years into the future.

These predictive models are built to answer the questions that matter most for housing associations and local authorities, such as:

• Which properties are most at risk of falling into disrepair?
• Which properties or components are likely to fail next year?
• Which tenants are most at risk and need more attention?
• Which tenants are most likely to fall into rent arrears?
• What long-term investment strategy delivers the best outcomes for asset health and financial sustainability?
• How will seasonal trends or local conditions affect repair demand?

Thanks to ROCC’s market-leading software, customers can intervene early and allocate resources with precision, rather than reacting to problems when it’s often too late.

What our analytics tools mean for social housing providers

Predictive analytics is not one-size-fits-all, as different housing providers, departments, or stakeholders may need different types of insight. Fortunately, ROCC’s forecasting models can be tailored to suit individual needs.

Here are some of the main outputs social housing providers can benefit from.

• Predicting rent arrears before they occur

Identifiable patterns, such as changes in payment behaviour, employment changes or cost-of-living pressures, can all be monitored. ROCC can analyse these patterns to identify those households most at risk, so support can be provided sooner and arrears prevented from escalating. 

• Modelling repairs needs and asset deterioration

Social housing providers are often responsible for thousands of assets, which can be incredibly challenging to manage. With predictive modelling, they can stay on top of repairs and maintenance tasks, so housing doesn’t fall below legal standards.

ROCC can provide visibility into which properties will require investment first, when certain resources or services will reach peak demand, and which maintenance strategies will be most effective. This enables asset teams to move beyond short-term fixes and build evidence-based plans.

• Operational efficiency forecasting

Predictive analytics also enhances day-to-day service delivery by forecasting workload patterns and resource needs. With the help of ROCC, repairs and maintenance teams can optimise appointment scheduling, minimise downtime and ensure the right operatives are available at the correct times.

Acting ahead of the curve 

Sick of firefighting at your organisation? The true value of prediction is action. ROCC’s predictive analytics tools can help social housing providers to:

• Prevent problems early, rather than responding to them when it’s too late
• Reduce emergency repairs 
• Plan for unexpected costs
• Enhance compliance and reduce risk
• Improve financial forecasting accuracy
• Boost tenant satisfaction through an improved service

Dashboards are an essential part of understanding performance, but we are urging housing providers to move beyond them. These days, insights must go deeper, so organisations can tackle some of today’s main challenges: shrinking budgets, ageing assets, rising demand for affordable housing and increased regulatory scrutiny.

ROCC’s analytics ecosystem supports this evolution by combining:

• Extensive out-of-the-box reporting for immediate visibility 
• Advanced predictive models for future planning 
• Real-time data integration for accuracy and automation 
• Intuitive visualisations that turn complexity into clarity 
• Built-in intelligence that guides decision-making 

This data-driven approach enables housing providers to operate strategically, not reactively.

At ROCC, we have recognised that organisations expected to thrive in the future have embraced predictive analytics. That’s why we have developed our best-in-class tools to support housing providers in that journey.

Our goal is to move the sector beyond dashboards and into the era of prediction, where the future is not something to react to, but something you can prepare for.

For more information about how our housing maintenance software can revolutionise your business, get in touch with a member of our team today.