Buildings & property
Apartments & managed properties
Find building problems sooner across occupied and vacant units.
Plan your monitoring →
The application in practice
Detecting problems in unoccupied apartments
A closer look at the challenge, the monitoring approach and the outcome described in Monnit’s application guide.
The challenge
A water-heater leak in an empty apartment damaged that unit and the home below it. The property manager only learned about the problem when the downstairs resident returned.
The monitoring setup
A trial building received water detection near plumbing, temperatures in empty homes and HVAC measurements. Door and window monitoring added visibility into access, with readings collected in iMonnit.
The reported outcome
The case describes a preventive maintenance approach that covers both occupied and vacant units. Staff can investigate a specific alert rather than waiting for a resident to discover water damage or report a heating problem.
Case-study information and photography: Monnit. Reported results relate to the installation described; your project’s design and results will depend on its requirements.
A practical starting point
Measure. Understand. Act.
Where to start
Prioritise water heaters, shared plant and units awaiting occupancy. Agree access and sensor locations with residents or the property manager.
A change worth investigating
A leak is detected near a water heater or the temperature drops in an empty unit.
Example scenario. Set limits and timing for your own site.Turn the alert into action
Locate the affected property, contact the authorised responder and inspect adjoining units if water could spread.
Build your system
Measurements to consider
Use these as a shortlist. The right model depends on the range, environment, installation and accuracy you need.
Water Detect
Detect water at a chosen point near vulnerable plumbing or equipment.
Explore sensors →Temperature
Follow heating, cooling and storage conditions over time. Match the probe range and calibration to your application.
Explore sensors →Open / Closed
Record door or window opening events and investigate prolonged openings.
Explore sensors →Plan for the real environment
Before you start
What matters for this application
Agree who receives alerts and who can enter each unit. Monitoring should complement inspections and resident reporting.
How do the sensors connect?
ALTA sensors need a compatible gateway, internet connection and monitoring software. Suitable Wi-Fi models connect through a compatible Wi-Fi network. Confirm radio frequency, coverage and power arrangements at the actual installation points before choosing equipment.
Explore gateways →How quickly will an alert arrive?
Timing depends on sensor settings, reporting intervals, connectivity and notification rules. Email, SMS and voice options vary by service and plan. Test a controlled event, check that the nominated person receives it and confirm what happens if a device stops reporting.
Understand software and alerts →What should we prepare for a pilot?
Bring a site plan, the equipment or spaces to monitor, expected conditions, required accuracy and the names of the people who respond. Agree a trial period and a review date. Compare sensor readings with an appropriate reference and document any gaps in coverage or response.
Keep exploring
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Let's make it useful
A monitoring plan for your world.
Tell us what you want to protect, where it is and what you need to know. We'll help you choose a practical starting point.