The aim of this paper will be to argue that in order to deliver an integrated and successful housing management service to local authority tenants, an effective information system is fundamental. This 'information system' may be a combination of manual systems, computerized systems or an ad-hoc mixture based upon historical development within an organisation. It will be argued that computer technology is not a panacea for all 'information' problems.

It is important to identify, as clearly as possible, benefits and limitations of proposed solutions through the conduct of thorough systems analysis. This process provides crucial data enabling informed decisions to be made.

The key to an integrated system is the central property / people database. The rationale behind this will be examined and important links and relationships presented between the core funtional areas: repairs and maintenance management, estate management, tenancy management and rental management.

The paper will identify key information requirements and offer guidelines on organisational best practice for the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated housing management information systems. Results from an action-research project utilising participative systems analysis and three other case studies will be detailed.