Torridge District Council transforms temporary accommodation management with MRI Accommodation Rent Accounting
Introduction
Located in North Devon, Torridge District Council supports a largely rural and dispersed population. The council’s Housing Options team plays a vital role in assisting individuals and families in need, particularly those facing homelessness. In response to a sharp rise in Temporary Accommodation (TA) placements, the team sought a more efficient and scalable way to manage rent accounting.
In 2023, Torridge implemented MRI Accommodation Rent Accounting, part of the MRI Housing Options suite, to improve oversight of rent transactions, reduce administrative burden, and provide a better experience for both staff and service users.
The challenge
Before adopting MRI’s solution, Torridge relied on spreadsheets, whiteboards, and manual processes to manage TA rent accounting. As placement volumes grew, this approach became increasingly unsustainable.
We used to manage 15 to 20 transactions a month, but that grew to over 70. It was very admin-heavy, and mistakes were being made. We simply couldn’t keep up using spreadsheets and whiteboards.
-Helen Page, Housing Options Manager.
Compounding the issue was a high staff turnover, which made it difficult to maintain consistency.
The previous system depended on one person to keep it running. It wasn’t efficient, and it wasn’t scalable. We needed automation, better reporting, stronger security, and clearer insights.
The solution
Torridge selected MRI Accommodation Rent Accounting to overhaul its TA rent processes. The system provided a centralised, automated platform that helped streamline operations and reduce risk.
Objectives included:
- Reducing manual errors and administrative workload
- Improving accuracy and financial visibility
- Enabling faster, more consistent reporting
- Allowing collaboration across multiple officers
- Offering a self-service portal for clients to manage their TA rent balances
MRI’s platform gave us the structure and insight we were missing. We now have a clearer picture of transactions, debt, and customer movements.
The impact
The council quickly began to see measurable improvements:
- Accuracy increased by 80%, improving data quality and strengthening trust with Finance and other departments.
- Time spent on rent accounting dropped by 75% – from a full day to just two hours, freeing up staff to focus on frontline services.
- The system now handles 40 to 70 placements per month with ease and without the need for additional admin resources.
- Multiple staff members can now access and manage accounts, making the process more resilient and collaborative.
The system has made a huge difference. It’s allowed us to shift our focus back to people, not processes.
Conclusion
By adopting MRI Accommodation Rent Accounting, Torridge District Council has modernised its TA rent management, improving efficiency, accuracy, and visibility. What was once a time-consuming, error-prone system is now a streamlined, scalable process that benefits both staff and residents.
MRI’s solution has equipped Torridge with the tools it needs to manage increasing TA demand while maintaining strong financial oversight and delivering better outcomes for its community.