How to choose the right intercom for your housing association
If your housing association has an old intercom that has started to act up, you are far from alone.
We talk almost daily with boards, property managers and property owners facing the same challenge. The old system no longer works optimally, spare parts are hard to source, and residents now expect a more modern solution than the classic answer phone on the wall.
At the same time, the way we live and work has changed. We receive more parcels, more people work from home, and many expect to manage building access directly from their phone.
That is why more and more housing associations are switching to digital intercoms.
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It's not just about seeing who's at the door
Many start out looking for a doorbell with a camera.
But in a housing association it is rarely just about the camera.
The challenges we most often see are:
- Key administration takes too much time
- Tradespeople need access
- Residents move in and out
- Parcel deliveries become a hassle
- The existing intercom is unstable
- Service and spare parts get more expensive every year
So it rarely makes sense to compare a solution for a housing association with a video doorbell for a private house.
When 20, 50 or 200 apartments need to be handled together, access control, administration and operations are at least as important as the camera itself.
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Why traditional intercom systems challenge many associations
Many properties still have intercom systems that were installed 20 or 30 years ago.
They have often worked fine for many years, but when they start to fail, three problems typically arise:
### Spare parts become hard to source
Many older systems are out of production, and finding compatible spare parts can be both expensive and time-consuming.
### Service becomes more complicated
Older systems often require specialised technicians, who are getting harder to find.
### The technology doesn't match residents' needs
Most older systems were developed long before smartphones, remote access and modern access control became part of everyday life.
The result is often that the association faces a choice between an expensive repair or a more future-proof solution.
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What are the benefits of a digital intercom?
A modern digital intercom makes it possible to handle access far more flexibly.
The resident can:
- See who is ringing
- Answer calls directly from their phone
- Open the door remotely
- Give access to guests
- Let in tradespeople or deliveries without being home
For property managers and boards, it also means less administration and better control over access to the property.
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7 things we recommend you investigate
When we advise housing associations, we typically go through these points.
### 1. How is the solution installed?
Installation is often one of the biggest costs in a project.
So check:
- Do new cables need to be pulled?
- Can the existing installation be reused?
- How long does the installation take?
The smaller the intervention in the building, the lower the project costs typically end up.
### 2. How are residents managed?
In a housing association the user list changes continuously.
New residents move in. Others move out.
The system should make it easy to create, change and remove access without physical work.
### 3. How does administration work?
A modern access system should be centrally managed.
The board or property manager should be able to handle:
- Users
- Access rights
- Stairwells
- Intercoms
from one unified system.
### 4. How are guests and tradespeople handled?
This is often where the greatest value emerges.
Can you:
- Grant temporary access?
- Let tradespeople in remotely?
- Handle deliveries more smartly?
If yes, this typically saves both time and frustration.
### 5. How secure is it?
Always ask the supplier:
- Where is data stored?
- How is GDPR handled?
- Who has access to the system?
- How is access removed?
Security should be a natural part of the solution.
### 6. How is the system updated?
A modern system should be continuously improvable.
Cloud-based solutions enable new features and security updates without having to replace hardware.
### 7. What does the solution cost in the long run?
The cheapest offer is not necessarily the cheapest over time.
Compare:
- Installation
- Service
- Support
- Operations
- Future updates
This gives a more accurate picture of the total investment.
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What should a housing association choose?
There is no single solution that fits everyone.
A smaller co-op has different needs than a large rental property with several stairwells.
The most important thing is therefore to choose a solution that can serve the property for many years to come and that makes everyday life easier for residents, property managers and the board alike.
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Frequently asked questions
### What's the difference between an intercom and a doorbell with a camera?
A doorbell with a camera is typically developed for private homes. An intercom for housing associations must be able to handle many residents, central administration, access control and often integration with existing locks and access systems.
### Can residents open the door from their phone?
Yes. Modern intercoms make it possible to receive calls and open the door directly from your phone, wherever you are.
### Can the system be used in older buildings?
In many cases yes. Modern solutions can often be integrated with existing doors and electric locks without major reconstruction.
### How are new residents handled?
Access can be created and removed digitally, which makes move-ins and move-outs far easier than with traditional key systems.
### Is video at the main door legal?
Yes, but the housing association must comply with GDPR rules and ensure correct handling of personal data. That is why it is important to choose a supplier that has data processing and security under control.
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Our advice
If you are facing replacing your current intercom, spend a little time exploring the options.
Many are surprised by how much difference modern access technology actually makes in daily life.
At WelcomeBob we often see that the project that starts with the wish for a new intercom ends up giving the association a much smarter way to manage access.
And that is usually where the biggest gain lies.