Since early 2025, drones have been used to carry out detailed surveys of roofs, gutters, and other areas that are typically hard to access, streamlining maintenance processes and improving the speed and accuracy of repairs.

The implementation follows extensive consultation with tenants and customers and the development of robust internal policies and procedures. Several staff members have also completed accredited training to operate drones safely and effectively. This technology now plays a central role in OTHA’s approach to property maintenance.

Andy MacDonald, maintenance officer at OTHA, said: “The drone has enabled us to carry out both pre- and post-inspections on high-level areas like gutters and roofs—places we couldn’t properly check from ground level before. These inspections have reduced our need for scaffolding and significantly cut down on labour and time, providing detailed results in hours rather than days.”

In a recent deployment following Storm Eowyn, drones were used to inspect 74 roofs across tenement and flatted properties. This led to the identification of 187 roof repairs many of which would have gone unnoticed from the ground. The rapid response is expected to have prevented internal damage to several homes.

John Stephens, maintenance officer at OTHA, added: “By identifying damage early, we’ve been able to act quickly and avoid more serious issues like water ingress. In the past, these problems might not have been flagged until visible damage occurred inside a tenant’s home.”

The drones are also supporting wider operational improvements.

John Stephens continued: “We’ve started using drones to help monitor the performance of our in-house landscaping team. This allows us to spot and address areas that need attention much earlier.”

Suk Hopper, director of Property at OTHA, commented: “This innovation supports our commitment to delivering a proactive, value-for-money service for our tenants. Drones have significantly improved how we assess the condition of our buildings, allowing us to plan and prioritise maintenance with greater accuracy and efficiency.”