DocTech Shortlisted for Northern Housing Awards 2026 Alongside MSV Housing

DocTech has been shortlisted for the Northern Housing Awards 2026 for Best Use of Technology by a Social Landlord, recognising our work using DocuWare, digital forms and digital signatures to help housing associations deliver paperless, compliant and more responsive services.

In partnership with MSV Housing, this project demonstrates how digitisation for housing associations can be achieved by enhancing existing systems—without costly or disruptive replacements.

Digitisation for Housing Associations with DocuWare: A Long-Term Approach

DocTech has worked with MSV Housing since 2002, continually developing their DocuWare platform to support evolving operational and regulatory requirements.

Rather than introducing new systems, the focus has been on maximising existing technology—helping MSV deliver ongoing improvements in efficiency, tenant engagement and compliance through paperless transformation.

This long-term approach is a key example of sustainable housing association digitisation.

What is DocuWare for Housing Associations?

DocuWare enables housing associations to go paperless by using digital forms, automated workflows and digital signatures to manage tenant communication, compliance and document storage more efficiently.

By centralising information and automating processes, DocuWare improves visibility, reduces manual admin, and ensures faster service delivery across housing operations.

Digital Forms and DocuWare Workflows for Awaab’s Law Compliance

To support compliance with Awaab's Law, DocTech implemented Digital Forms in DocuWare alongside automated workflows to manage:

• Damp and mould cases
• Gas certificates
• Repairs communication
• Inspection reports

These paperless workflows capture information once, route it automatically, and store it securely in structured tenancy files—ensuring full auditability and eliminating manual delays.

This builds on our wider work around Awaab’s Law compliance using digital forms.

Paperless Housing Services: Improving Tenant Engagement and Communication

Moving to a paperless housing model has significantly improved how MSV communicates with tenants.

With DocuWare, teams can:

• Send important documents faster
• Access tenancy records instantly
• Provide clear, consistent communication

Tenants benefit from quicker updates, better transparency, and a more responsive service—particularly for safety-related issues.

DocuWare Mobile: Real-Time Housing Management and Tenant Support

The introduction of DocuWare Mobile has transformed frontline housing services.

Neighbourhood teams can now:

• Capture photos directly in tenants’ homes
• Upload documents instantly into DocuWare
• Update case information in real time

This eliminates delays, reduces risk, and ensures tenants receive faster, better-coordinated support without the need for follow-up admin.

Digital Signatures for Housing Associations: Faster, More Accessible Services

The implementation of digital signatures has streamlined key housing processes, including tenancy agreements and onboarding.

Benefits include:

• Faster document turnaround
• Reduced printing and postage costs
• Improved accessibility for tenants

Digital signatures are a core part of delivering modern, paperless housing services, removing barriers for tenants who may struggle with travel or time constraints.

Paperless Efficiency with DocuWare: Reducing Costs and Admin

By building on DocuWare, MSV Housing has achieved measurable operational improvements, including:

• Removal of manual scanning processes
• Reduced administrative workload
• Lower printing, storage and postage costs
• Faster document retrieval

These paperless efficiencies create significant time and cost savings across teams.

As MSV notes, the digital signature solution alone delivers substantial annual savings—demonstrating clear ROI from DocuWare-led digitisation.

Data-Driven Housing Services with DocuWare and Workflow Automation

Digitisation has also enabled MSV to make better use of data.

With DocuWare workflows and digital forms, MSV benefits from:

• Real-time dashboards and reporting
• Visibility of compliance and case status
• Identification of bottlenecks and overdue actions

This allows teams to prioritise work effectively and supports data-driven decision-making in housing services.

Inclusive Digitisation for Housing Associations

A key focus throughout this project has been ensuring accessibility and inclusion.

By enhancing existing systems rather than replacing them:

• Tenants can complete documents via mobile devices
• Digital signatures remove the need for travel
• Staff have more time to support vulnerable tenants

DocuWare Mobile also ensures that tenants who prefer in-person interactions still benefit from fast, accurate digital processes.

Recognising Innovation: DocuWare, Digital Forms and Paperless Housing

Being shortlisted for the Northern Housing Awards 2026 highlights what can be achieved through DocuWare, digital forms, digital signatures and paperless transformation in housing associations.

It demonstrates that innovation doesn’t require replacing systems—just using them better.

The partnership between DocTech and MSV Housing is a strong example of how housing expertise and technology expertise can come together to deliver meaningful, measurable results.

Speak to DocTech about DocuWare for Housing Associations

Looking to implement DocuWare, digital forms or digital signatures in your housing organisation?

Get in touch with DocTech to discover how we help housing associations go paperless, improve compliance and deliver better tenant outcomes.