Description
# Buildium Alternative - Social Home
## Overview
Buildium is a property management software platform designed for the North American residential market. However, for UK social housing providers, Buildium's US market focus means missing critical UK-specific compliance templates, safeguarding governance, and local regulatory requirements.
## Why Social Home is a Better Alternative
### Buildium's Limitations
Buildium is designed for **North American markets** and lacks:
- **UK-specific compliance templates** - No HMO licence tracking or UK housing regulations
- **Safeguarding governance** - No case file system for vulnerable residents
- **UK regulatory compliance** - No support for UK housing standards and regulations
- **Local market features** - No UK-specific affordability tools or social care controls
- **British English** - US-focused terminology and processes
- **UK service providers** - No directory of UK-based contractors and professionals
### What Social Home Provides
Social Home is **built specifically for UK social housing**:
#### ✅ UK-Specific Compliance Templates
- **HMO licence tracking** - Complete HMO licence management with UK regulatory requirements
- **UK housing regulations** - Fire safety, electrical safety, and housing standards all tracked
- **Compliance templates** - Pre-built templates for UK regulatory requirements
- **Document storage** - All UK compliance certificates in one place
#### ✅ Safeguarding Governance
- **Case file system** - Centralised tracking of vulnerable residents and support needs
- **Risk assessment** - Early indicators of tenant support needs
- **Support worker coordination** - Connect with UK social workers and care providers
- **Safeguarding workflows** - Guided processes for vulnerable resident support
#### ✅ UK Market Features
- **Affordability tools** - UK-specific affordability calculations and support
- **Social care controls** - Integration with UK social care systems
- **British English** - UK terminology and processes throughout
- **UK service providers** - Directory of UK-based contractors and professionals
#### ✅ Local Regulatory Compliance
- **Housing standards** - UK housing quality standards tracked
- **Fire safety regulations** - UK fire safety requirements and inspections
- **Electrical safety** - UK electrical safety standards and certificates
- **Gas safety** - UK gas safety regulations and annual checks
## Feature Comparison
| Feature | Buildium | Social Home |
|---------|----------|-------------|
| Property management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tenant management | ✅ | ✅ |
| UK-specific compliance | ❌ | ✅ |
| HMO licence tracking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Safeguarding governance | ❌ | ✅ |
| UK regulatory compliance | ❌ | ✅ |
| UK service providers | ❌ | ✅ |
| Affordability tools | US-focused | ✅ UK-specific |
| Social care controls | ❌ | ✅ |
| British English | ❌ | ✅ |
## Migration Guide
### Step 1: Export Your Data
If you're using Buildium for UK properties, export your data:
1. **Property data** - Download property details and room information
2. **Tenant records** - Export tenant information and tenancy history
3. **Financial data** - Export rent collection and payment history
4. **Document storage** - Download compliance certificates and contracts
### Step 2: Import to Social Home
Use Social Home's UK-focused import tools:
1. **Property import** - Upload all UK properties with room details
2. **Tenant migration** - Import tenant records with their history
3. **Compliance documents** - Upload UK compliance certificates (HMO licences, gas safety, etc.)
4. **Financial data** - Import rent collection history
### Step 3: Configure UK Workflows
Set up Social Home for UK social housing:
1. **UK compliance** - Configure HMO licence tracking and UK regulatory requirements
2. **Safeguarding processes** - Set up case file templates and support worker contacts
3. **UK service providers** - Connect with UK-based contractors and professionals
4. **Affordability tools** - Configure UK-specific affordability calculations
### Step 4: Team Training
Train your team on UK-specific features:
1. **UK compliance** - Managing HMO licences and UK regulatory requirements
2. **Safeguarding governance** - Using case files and support worker coordination
3. **UK service providers** - Finding and managing UK-based contractors
## Key Advantages
### For UK Social Housing Providers
- **UK-specific compliance** - All UK regulatory requirements tracked
- **Safeguarding governance** - Case file system for vulnerable residents
- **Local market features** - UK affordability tools and social care controls
- **UK service providers** - Directory of UK-based professionals
### For Property Managers
- **UK regulatory compliance** - HMO, fire safety, and housing standards all tracked
- **British English** - UK terminology and processes throughout
- **Local support** - UK-based support team familiar with UK regulations
### For Housing Associations
- **Regulatory confidence** - All UK compliance requirements managed
- **Safeguarding support** - Case file system tracks vulnerable residents
- **Portfolio insights** - Understand UK property performance
## Frequently Asked Questions
### Can I use Buildium for UK properties?
Buildium is designed for North American markets and lacks UK-specific compliance templates, safeguarding governance, and local regulatory requirements. Social Home is built specifically for UK social housing.
### How does Social Home handle UK compliance?
Social Home includes comprehensive UK compliance tracking: HMO licence management, UK housing regulations, fire safety, electrical safety, and gas safety. All UK regulatory requirements are tracked with UK-specific templates.
### What about UK service providers?
Social Home includes a directory of UK-based contractors and professionals, making it easy to find verified service providers for repairs, safety checks, and resident support.
## Next Steps
1. **Explore the comparison page** - See how Social Home compares: [/compare](/compare)
2. **Read getting started guide** - Learn the basics: [/resources/getting-started](/resources/getting-started)
3. **Contact our team** - Discuss your UK social housing needs: [/contact](/contact)
## Related Resources
- [Getting Started Guide](/resources/getting-started) - Platform basics
- [Manage Gateway Guide](/resources/manage-gateway) - Portfolio management
- [Service Providers Directory](/resources/service-providers-directory) - Find UK contractors
- [Compare All Alternatives](/compare) - See all competitor comparisons