Ipswich Borough Council has achieved a significant reduction in rent arrears through its strategic partnership with Mobysoft, utilising the company’s AI-augmented RentSense platform.
Over the past year, the council has seen its arrears drop from 2.43% to 1.57%, a 35% reduction, across its 7,900 properties, by embracing a proactive, early intervention approach to income collection.
Faced with mounting arrears challenges, including the transition to Universal Credit and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Ipswich Borough Council sought to enhance its rent collection processes.
Mobysoft’s RentSense platform, the leading rent arrears solution in the social housing sector, was introduced to streamline operations and target interventions where they are most needed.
RentSense leverages the latest artificial intelligence to deliver a tailored, efficient solution for social landlords.
Used by over 180 housing providers managing more than two million tenancies, RentSense automates routine tasks, freeing up staff to focus on tenant engagement and support.
This has been instrumental in Ipswich’s transition to a specialised income team, dedicated solely to income collection.
Rachel Grimmer, Neighbourhood Manager at Ipswich Borough Council, commented on the council’s transformation: “RentSense has allowed us to prioritise the accounts that need attention, allowing us to focus our efforts on the tenants who require the most support.
“This has helped us significantly reduce arrears and prevent evictions. By automating routine tasks, our staff are now more efficient and empowered, which has also boosted job satisfaction.”
A key success factor has been the council’s focus on early intervention, shifting away from a reliance on court enforcement and focusing on preventing arrears from escalating.
This change has allowed the council to not only sustain tenancies but also build stronger relationships with tenants, enhancing overall financial stability.
Mobysoft CEO, Paul Evans, praised Ipswich Borough Council’s results: “Ipswich Borough Council’s remarkable performance highlights the effectiveness of RentSense in driving positive results for social landlords.
“Their early intervention approach and commitment to tenant engagement showcase the value of using AI-driven solutions to improve income collection. We are proud to support Ipswich in achieving such impressive outcomes.”
Housing Digital Stakeholder Mobysoft is one of the fastest growing software as a service-providers in the UK. Its RentSense product helps landlords sustain more tenancies, deliver efficiencies, and protect revenues.
Main image: Ipswich Borough Council HQ
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