All social landlords, including local authorities and ALMOs, have an extremely important role to play in making sure their tenants and leaseholders are part of the digital revolution in broadcasting and not excluded from it. Nobody will want to see blank screens occur at switchover.

Local authorities with responsibility for housing stock, ALMOs as well as their own, need to be fully aware of the implications of the switchover programme and must have a robust and timely action plan in place. This is particularly important where properties make use of communal TV aerial systems which provide TV signals to a number of homes from a single set of aerials or dishes. This can be used with all types of dwellings, from small numbers of detached houses to tower blocks and entire estates of several thousand households.

It is likely that many communal TV systems will need checking and possibly upgrading to receive digital signals and to deliver them with sufficient quality to households after switchover. Upgrading systems are usually the responsibility of the ‘landlord’ and costs recovered, where permissible, from residents through service charges. Upgrading communal reception systems can incur temporary upheaval but many of the difficulties can be avoided with careful planning and they will offer residents a greater choice of TV. Costs are deemed Housing Benefit eligible.

Residents need to consulted about systems which are available, the services they offer, the costs and the process for installation. Information and advice for landlords about how to prepare for switchover can be found here. You can also contact our specialist housing team by e-mailing us at housing@digitaluk.co.uk.

Some landlords are already utilising digital systems to bring healthcare, employment opportunities and community programming to residents. Others are exploring its applications in delivering housing management services, including payment of rent and administering of repairs.

Local authorities also play an important role in making sure that other housing providers are aware of the implications of switchover. For example, authorities who run accreditation schemes for private rented properties can ensure that landlords have access to information.

Digital UK has launched 'Homes set for digital’ which is a certification mark that public and private housing providers and managers can use where they have taken all reasonable steps to guarantee delivery of digital TV services at least three months before switchover, to all homes where they are responsible for the aerial system. Find out more about the scheme here.