Digital upgrade of warden call systems

The current alarm service uses analogue phone lines which are being gradually phased out nationally by British Telecom. This means your pull cord or alarm button will no longer work when the analogue service is finally switched off in 2027. That is why we are replacing the old analogue system with a new, digital service that will use the internet to activate your alarm, making it much faster and more reliable.

The new digital system is being installed to all flats in larger supported housing complexes which have onsite staff, communal facilities and are currently connected to the Warden Call Alarm service.

In smaller supported housing blocks, the Warden Call system will be removed and residents will have the option to opt in or out for a smaller plug in alarm system and support service.

Tenants on the Sheltered Housing Forum have helped us choose and appoint a contractor to carry out the work in our larger blocks, which is expected to start this Autumn. Over 1,000 flats will require the installation of the new digital system, and the whole programme will take around one year to complete.

Before work begins, we will arrange an opportunity for you to meet the contractors at your complex so you can ask any questions and find out more. We will work with you to agree on a convenient date and time for the engineer to visit your flat to replace your old alarm with the new equipment. As part of these improvement works, we will also carry out an asbestos survey to inspect the pull cords and warden call systems in your flat. A member of the specialist Asbestos Contractors team will contact you to arrange a suitable time for the survey. Please make sure you at are home at the agreed appointment times to provide access for both the survey and the installation of the new digital equipment.

Once installed you will be able to activate the new digital equipment in the same way, e.g. by pulling a cord or pressing a button when you need to connect to the alarm service. But as it is powered by the internet rather than the old copper analogue telephone wires the digital service will bring many benefits including connecting you to the control centre much quicker, greater coverage inside your entire home, and better quality, much clearer calls.

Don’t worry if you do not have your own broadband connection in your flat, as the new digital service will be hard wired into the supported housing complex internet.

We will keep you updated about the progress of the digital replacement programme in Tenants Link, but if you have any questions or concerns please speak to the onsite staff or contact us and we will be happy to help.