Stoke-on-Trent Council is considering using artificial intelligence (AI) software to support tenants who are struggling to pay their rent.

The purchase of the system is to be discussed by cabinet members next week and comes as an attempt by the council to modernise its services, as well as helping residents manage financial strain.

As part of an early intervention approach, the software will help the local authority determine ‘early warning’ patterns in payment behaviour displayed by tenants.

According to the council, the move is designed to support the prevention of early rent arrears by addressing the ‘root causes of problems’.

Furthermore, the software would assist with risk-based prioritisation and the automation of routine processes, while increasing the efficiency of case management.

The council has said that the recent rise in the number of residents on Universal Credit has resulted in greater ‘complexity to income collection and increased demand on staff’, due to payments being made by residents instead of through Housing Benefit.

It has argued that the AI system will minimise unnecessary admin, streamline processes, and enable officers to dedicate time to higher-risk cases and ensure reliable communication with tenants.

Alongside the efficiency gains, the local authority has said that the plan is expected to ‘deliver a strong net financial benefit’ and generate ‘significant revenue gains’ in a three-year period, following higher income collection and bad debt provision being lowered.

Cllr Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning, improvement and governance at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: ‘We are committed to identifying risks of tenants falling into rent areas early so we can help them before problems mount up.

‘As with all our uses of AI, we aren’t just looking at automating process and freeing up staff time, but providing real insight and better services for our residents.’