New kids on the block
Developers are moving more and more towards providing integrated technology systems allowing communities to develop their own internal services, which can be accessed through residents own systems. The sites provide a forum for news, information and discussion groups specifically designed for flat dwellers as well as reducing service and management charges.
www.newsontheblock.com will gain revenue from advertising both at local and national level and to encourage residents to participate in the service, ten per cent of all revenue from the site will be used to pay part of each block's service charge. Interested residents can bump this up by attracting local businesses to promote their services to residents online.
News on the Block is backed by the property management, the Solitaire Group PLC and Capital Tech and has been piloted in four areas of London. All residents are pre-registered and given a security password and user name that gives them access to their "block" website. The site not only acts as a notice board for news and information but also provides a secure forum for swapping goods and sourcing services. In the pilot areas over 80 per cent of residents used the facility and local support from shops and services was also good. The service is expected to roll out nationally next year.
WHAT HOUSE, 1st April 2001
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