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Property Pack Q&A

FAQs: Your guide to Cascade3d Property Sensor Packs
Please contact us if you have a question we haven’t answered!

Q: Why deploy 24/7 proactive monitoring?

A: Cascade3d offers a premium brand service that elevates traditional property inspections, which typically occur every 6 or 12 months, to real-time 24/7 proactive maintenance and management. This layered service is ideal for agents who manage valuable properties where upkeep is vital and landlords who prioritise maintaining a strong reputation on review platforms like Trustpilot.
Smart sensor technology monitors the property continuously, alerting agents and landlords to issues such as heating system, fridge and freezer failures or water leaks as they occur. This immediate response helps prevent costly repairs from issues such as water damage, damp, or mould, ultimately protecting both the property’s condition and the landlord’s review ratings.

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​Q: What is in a Property Sensor Pack?

A: Everything you need to get started, including the gateway or hub, which collates sensor information in the property and sends it to the Cascade3d web portal. The sensors are easily installed and removed using 3M Command strips, just like those used for hanging pictures.

 

Q: What are the benefits of Cascade Sensors over a camera system/CCTV or an alarm linked to the police?

A: The Cascade3d system does not include any cameras to maintain privacy in rental properties and short-stay holiday lets. Installing cameras in such properties is generally not acceptable. Additionally, alarm systems linked to the police or fire service do not monitor environmental conditions or alert you to water leaks, heating system issues, cold rooms, or dampness.

 

Q: I already have a home security alarm system with an alarm bell box outside. How does the Cascade3d Smart Sensor Pack link with that?

A: The Cascade3d sensors can be installed alongside any existing security alarm and fire systems. They work in tandem and are particularly beneficial if the current alarm systems are not linked to responder services. Cascade3d discreetly sends alerts for intrusions, smoke, carbon monoxide, cold and damp conditions, fridge and freezer temperatures and water leaks to a remote monitoring agent, mobile phones, and the Cascade3d Mobile App. These alerts can prompt notifications to an Alarm Receiving Centre, relevant responders, or property managers to arrange maintenance visits.

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Q: Are the Cascade3d Sensor Packs all the same, or can they be tailored?

A: Both! There are off-the-shelf packs to choose from (small, medium, large), and you can buy additional sensors to suit your specific needs or property requirements. We offer open and transparent pricing with no hidden charges. All kits are prepared by our staff at our office in Cricklade, Wiltshire, UK. We'll help you add more sensors as you install.

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Q: How does the sensor pack help if the property is unoccupied?

A: Insurance premiums and risk management become key concerns for landlords when a property is left unoccupied. If a property is likely to be unoccupied for up to 60 days, landlords must inform their insurer. After this period, premiums can rise, and coverage is often limited to specific perils such as fire, lightning, storms, earthquakes, and damage from aircraft or aerial devices. In some cases, subsidence or heave caused by water leaks may be excluded. Additionally, insurers often require secured windows, maintaining a minimum temperature of 13–15°C, proof of regular inspections, and other safety and security measures.

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The rapid deployment of the Cascade3d Property Pack significantly reduces these risks and enhances early intervention for potential issues. The system's motion detection and door entry sensors provide real-time alerts to the landlord or property management company. Temperature and humidity are continuously monitored and recorded, ensuring the property remains compliant with insurance requirements. Alerts can also be triggered from strategically positioned sensors for smoke and water escape. Any entry for inspection or maintenance is automatically logged, offering evidence to support compliance with the terms of the insurance policy.

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Q: How much does it cost?

A: Landlords can purchase Cascade3d Property Packs either directly from Cascade3d or through their property agents. There are three options available:

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1. Capital Purchase (No Contract Obligation):
Buy the sensor pack outright with no contract commitment. The Cascade3d platform can be accessed on a month-to-month basis as needed. Sensor packs typically range from £350 to £650, with a monthly platform fee starting from £50. Cascade3d also offers a 'buy back' option for sensors in good working condition.


2. Ad Hoc Monthly Rental (No Upfront Costs or Contracts):
Rent sensor packs on a monthly basis with no upfront capital cost or long-term obligation. Simply select a pack based on the property size and monitoring needs, paying monthly. This option is ideal for short-term scenarios, such as between long-term tenancies, during conveyancing delays, or when a property is in probate.

 

3. Lease Purchase (Minimum 12-Month Contract):
Spread the capital cost of the sensors over the lease term. Monthly charges start from £80 and are negotiated based on the sensor requirements and lease duration. This option includes a minimum 12-month commitment.

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Q: What data is collected and what is it used for?

A: The information collected is entirely anonymous and only relates to the property’s sensors. No personally identifiable information is captured or stored on the Cascade3d platform. Cascade3d fully complies with GDPR and all relevant data privacy laws. The data is used exclusively by landlords and property agents for the security and maintenance of the property. It is never shared with or sold to third parties. All data is encrypted and securely stored in hosted data centres within the UK.

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Q: Can I install the sensors myself?

A: Yes! It's straightforward. Simply plug in and switch on the gateway, and use the picture-hanging 3M Command strips to fit the sensors. We'll guide you on the best places to position them.
Here are some YouTube clips of Will walking Rhian through the installation process at her mum's house:
Set up a gateway
Install a sensor

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Q: What do I do if I need help or support?

A: Call, email, or message us, or join a WhatsApp or Teams video call. Our UK-based support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. If you call us, we promise never to play a message saying, "We are experiencing an unexpectedly high volume of calls" and leave you hanging for ages listening to awful music or have an unintelligible chatbot on our website. We'll schedule a video call with you and help resolve any questions there and then. Our support and implementation team prepared the kit you're holding, so we know what we're talking about. The best way to get the most from our system is to talk to us directly. We're happy to help.

 

Q: How does the gateway hub connect to the internet?

A: The gateway hub can connect to broadband if it's installed or via a SIM router. Just plug it in and switch it on. Please talk to us if you are unsure about what you'll need for internet connectivity.

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Q: Where can I download the Cascade3d Mobile App?

A: The app is available on the App Store for your Apple iPhone or iPad or Google Play for Android mobiles and tablets. Search for "Cascade3d".
Here is a YouTube clip of Will talking to Rhian about using the Cascade3d App: Watch here​

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Fibaro Environmental Sensors

Our promise is never to play a message saying, "We are experiencing an unexpectedly high volume of calls" and leave you listening to awful music or messaging an unintelligible chatbot.

fibaro_smoke.png
NRLA
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Gerry Hodgson, founder and CEO of Cascade3d, is an experienced landlord and an advocate of membership of the ​

National Residential Landlords Association

 

"It is a proactive organisation offering a wealth of invaluable resources to guide and support landlords."

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