Housing and property
Posted on 15th May at 02:45 PM
The challenge of switching over to digital TV is not limited to residential property. Schools, hotels, hospitals, care homes, student accommodation must all consider their options and the implications of switchover. There will be specialist considerations for each property manager. This section identifies some of the issues and options for different types of property. You can also use this section as an area for discussion that will provide valuable insights from you and your industry colleagues and act as a platform to identify useful solutions.
Tourism and Leisure
The digital switchover means that all UK tourist and leisure facilities will have to go digital to continue delivering TV services to rooms, bars and facilities. For holiday accommodation providers changes will have to be made to equipment in rooms, and/ or to the system delivering the TV signal.
Student Accommodation
Maintaining continuity of television services throughout switchover will be important for universities and colleges, and student property managers, as part of the provision of good quality student accommodation or to support teaching and administration. Student Unions will also need to be reminded that televisions and recording devices in bars, common rooms and offices will also need attention before switchover. Planning ahead is the way to achieve this, not least so that costs can be built into future investment plans.
Care Homes
For residents in care homes, the television is often the central focus of entertainment, companionship and contact with the world outside the home. We know from research that both residents and managers regard it as very important.
Commercial Property
Wherever TV equipment is being used, it will need to be checked and the appropriate action instigated to ensure continuity of service beyond switchover.
Schools
All schools whether they are public, residential or boarding schools will need to get ready for switchover. Where TVs are used exclusively for playing DVDs or Videos, they will not require attention for switchover. However, in all other instances e.g. TVs are used in staff or common rooms and where the TV is connected to an aerial system, the aerial and equipment will need to be checked and/or upgraded to receive digital signals after switchover.
Prisons and secure accommodation
Decisions about and responsibility for the provision and upgrade of TV services in prisons, secure accommodation, detention centres, bail hostels etc. lies with the Ministry of Justice.
Hospitals
In many instances Health Trusts have contracted out the provision of bedside TV’s (and phone services) to provide, independent companies such as Patientline. These organisations will need to ensure that TV services, for patients, are provided after switchover in conjunction with the property managers for the hospitals in which they are operating.
Barracks and service quarters
The Ministry of Defence has responsibility for Armed Forces accommodation which includes married quarters and barracks for Army, Navy and Air force personnel.
Public housing
Public sector housing organisations can be Local Authorities, Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) and Housing Associations. Property managers in the public sector will be engaged with residents who could be tenants, leaseholders or freeholders and who have different legal rights and responsibilities. Residents in public sector properties will range from freeholders on public sector housing estates, leaseholders in blocks of flats to high dependency tenants with housing and support needs.
Private housing
The private housing sector is very varied both in terms of the types and nature of the residents and providers. It encompasses tenants and leaseholders.
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