Smartphones, tablets, wearable tech… Smart devices are all around us today, shaping our lives. When it comes to where we live, are we any closer to the science-fiction image of a seamlessly connected home?

Over 65 years ago, ‘The Happylife Home’ was already in the head of author, Ray Bradbury. His 1950 short story ‘The World the Children Made’ (republished a year later as ‘The Veldt’) was filled with machines that carried out every domestic task. Today, as we ask ‘Siri’ and instruct ‘Alexa’, voice-controlled devices provide a glimpse of tomorrow’s home. What is the future here? Gateway takes a look at what some leading experts think.

As Chief Operating Officer of Gateway Property Management, Christina Williamson brings over two decades’ experience in leasehold management to our clients and customers. Her interest in property began when working for the University of East London, sourcing student accommodation. Christina takes time out from her busy schedule to answer some questions about herself and the company.

At Gateway Property Management, we’re busy introducing further software modules to our dedicated management system. This will include a new Tenant Portal, where customers can make online payments at any time for added convenience. As a group, we will continue to invest in technology to enhance the level of service we offer and deliver cost-effective solutions. More news on this to follow.

Over decades, Gateway has built close working relationships with several of the UK’s leading housebuilders, as well as many regional and local developers.

Gateway supports from the outset of a property development onwards, from lease structures to sales, lettings and day-to-day property management. As specialist, independent investors in freeholds, we manage every property within the group, looking after the interests of customers and safeguarding developer reputations. We also train front-line sales teams on service charge obligations, advise on a range of property related legal matters and can even take care of residential lettings through Gateway Residential. In addition, developers benefit from our network of property investors.

We’re delighted to report that Amy Childs, one of our Property Managers, has passed the Foundation exam for membership to the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM).

Amy has been preparing for the industry qualification since her first days at Gateway: “Due to the nature of my role, studying is part of my everyday working life,” she explains. “Many of the questions that came up in the exam were ones that I had already dealt with while looking after either a client, leaseholder, site member or contractor. I’m never not studying or learning on the job.”