Variant Coding

There are significant differences in the way that Variant Identification is defined, interpreted and practiced. Any classification of the stock can be described as variant identification - from a simple classification of property type and age, to a classification that identifies all unique property types by plan layout. Generally, the more detail that is incorporated in defining a 'Variant', the more accurate the extrapolation process will be.

Generic Variants and Archetypes

At the simplest level, 'Generic' Variant Codes can normally be established from existing database information, sufficient to identify for every property, the following variant descriptors:-

In situations where existing information bases are insufficient to provide the generic property type details (above) NBA would almost invariably propose that an assignment allows for the site identification and coding of all property variants. This would be undertaken during the preparatory phase operations and would identify, by separate external inspection of all dwellings, all unique variants, and allocate a ' variant' code to every dwelling on the housing register. This would then provide a valuable tool for the documentation and implementation of planned maintenance programmes in the future.

Full Plan Variants

This takes the classification of property type further to establish, through a site visit to every property to determine (from external inspection) all truly Unique property types. In this case, property variants are normally documented with coded recognition photographs and, thus, by cross reference to coded address schedules, provide photographic coverage of every dwelling, individually.

Among the advantages of this extended classification is that :-

The 6/7 digit Variant type codes that are normally established will provide the following information:-