Stonewater uses drones to survey nearly 1,000 housing blocks

Stonewater has used drone technology to survey 969 residential blocks across its portfolio.

Completed in four months, the programme aimed to identify roof defects early and “support a more proactive approach” to maintaining housing blocks more than five years old.

It was delivered in partnership with aerial inspection specialist Vantage UAV. Using drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging technology, Stonewater said surveyors were able to carry out detailed inspections of roofs “quickly, safely and accurately.”

The 40,000-home landlord noted that removing the need for scaffolding also minimised disruption to customers as well as safety risks to workers.

Robert Panou, director of asset strategy, homes at Stonewater, said: “By taking a proactive approach, we can plan maintenance more effectively, minimise disruption for customers and help prevent smaller issues from developing into more complex repairs.

“The data will also help inform future investment decisions, ensuring we’re targeting resources where they’re needed most while continuing to provide safe, well-maintained homes.”

The issues uncovered included missing and broken roof tiles, guttering defects and vegetation growth.

The programme will be repeated every few years as part of Stonewater’s wider asset management strategy.

Earlier this month, the landlord announced it would be piloting the use of an AI tool designed to increase the speed and regularity of risk assessment using photographs from in and around properties to identify potential risks.