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noise complaints
proof of incident to resolve disputes
operational efficiency
With student properties located in residential neighborhoods, Brenland Properties implemented Minut to reduce noise complaints and help manage its neighbor relations. By incorporating Minut's monitoring into contracts and clearly communicating the benefits to students, Minut was rolled out across the company’s student portfolio, enabling proactive noise management. The platform has enabled the company to have a 24/7 overview of its properties without compromising student privacy and also helped demonstrate compliance to local authorities.
Brenland Properties manages student accommodation in Loughton, Essex, and provides high-quality shared housing for students from the University of Essex and the E15 Acting School. The company is proud to create safe, comfortable living environments that enhance the student experience.
Brenland Properties faced escalating noise complaints from neighbors, particularly during late hours, which threatened to strain relations and even involve local authorities. The issue was compounded by the need to meet stringent HMO regulations, which mandated responsible management of tenant behavior. This presented a compliance risk, with the potential for fines or loss of rental licenses if issues persisted.
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“We’d had an issue where a noise complaint had been escalated, and we didn’t have any proof to dispute the claims. Now, we don’t need to worry about problems like that, we have the proof, we have the reports, and the council knows we’re being proactive about our noise monitoring.
The team began searching for a platform that could monitor noise while integrating with its current tech stack—and Minut was able to do all of this and more; enabling real-time alerts and detailed sound reports for each property. With Minut, the company could accurately track noise levels and quickly intervene before complaints escalated. By setting up Minut devices and clearly communicating their presence, the company aligned with HMO regulations while maintaining a non-intrusive approach, and could use Minut’s data reports to provide proof and resolve any disputes.
noise complaints
proof of incident to resolve disputes
neighbor relations
Like many student houses, noise disturbances were more common late at night, which occasionally frustrated neighbors and increased complaints. Without proactive noise monitoring, the team couldn’t know what had happened or when, and by the time management intervened, the disturbance had often already impacted the surrounding community.
With automated messaging, we’ve deescalated most issues before they become a problem. Students respond well to a quick reminder and appreciate that we’re not always directly intervening—giving us less work and them more autonomy.”
To address this, Brenland Properties used Minut’s automated messaging feature, which instantly sends a reminder whenever noise levels exceed a set threshold. The automated messages informed tenants in real-time that their noise levels were above the acceptable limit, acting as a subtle but effective nudge to quiet down before neighbors were disturbed. This approach allowed Brenland to manage noise incidents remotely, ensuring a peaceful environment without requiring on-site intervention.
incidents of noise escalation
operational efficiency
Initially, Minut was introduced to Brenland Properties’ tenants in the middle of the academic year. This raised some concerns and resistance from tenants, who were unsure about privacy violations. While most properties were happy to install the monitor, a couple opted out, which impacted the effectiveness of the overall noise management.
Once we made it clear that Minut isn’t a ‘big brother’ tool but a way to keep everyone happy, the feedback turned positive. Now it’s in our contracts and handbook, and everyone knows it’s there to help them—we just want to keep the peace.”
Brenland Properties took the concerns seriously and wanted to put its tenants' minds at ease. At the start of the following academic year, the company revised its rental agreements and added Minut’s details to its residence handbook, emphasizing that the technology only monitored sound levels, not conversations or activities. The team positioned Minut as a tool to protect the tenants’ interests by maintaining a positive community reputation and minimizing unnecessary complaints. The transparent communication enabled the team to set expectations from the start, and tenant acceptance improved significantly, leading to full implementation across all properties.
Minut across the full portfolio
concerns around Minut's noise monitor
Brenland Properties is considering leveraging Minut’s additional capabilities, such as temperature and humidity monitoring, to enhance property management. Since students often underuse heating or neglect ventilation, Minut’s mold risk detection could serve as a proactive tool to identify potential issues early, preserving property conditions and ensuring healthier living environments for tenants.
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