Smart Facilities Podcast E2: Tony Fish on Housing as a Subscription

On the latest episode of the Smart Facilities Podcast, we welcomed technologist, investor, and lifelong maker Tony Fish for an expansive conversation that bridged entrepreneurship, housing innovation, and the art of asking better questions. From steam engines in his barn to reengineering housing finance, Tony’s insights offer a lens into how curiosity can fuel real-world change - and why rethinking ownership might be the key to smarter cities.

From Maker Culture to Urban Systems

Tony introduced himself humbly, surrounded on the video call by CNC machines, 3D printers, and woodworking tools - a nod to his engineering roots and maker mindset. “I’m an engineer, built into me through my granddad and dad,” he said. That foundation led to a portfolio career spanning finance, tech startups, and the launch of Fab Lab London.

But whether he's prototyping hardware or consulting boards, one thread has remained consistent: building things that matter.

Smart Cities, Smart Data, Smarter Decisions

Tony’s entry into the smart city space came through the Fab Lab network, where he explored the cycle of collecting urban data, making sense of it, and ultimately using it to empower decision-makers.

“I can make the sensors… do something with the data… but most of my world is how do you help boards make better decisions,” he explained.

He warned against assumptions in data interpretation: “Most people assume they know what data is. That leads to bad decisions.” His holistic approach focuses on uncovering questions we didn’t realize we needed to ask.

PercepVision AI: Applied Intelligence in Action

Tony’s philosophy gels perfectly with that of PercepVision AI, a platform that enhances legacy CCTV systems with real-time AI analytics. Host Jacob Howard emphasized the platform’s problem-first approach: “It’s flipped - the data and the business need come first.”

Whether it’s tracking overcrowding at visitor attractions, detecting smoke and fire in warehouses, or providing security alerts, PercepVision AI is emblematic of Tony’s ethos: smarter cities emerge when data is gathered purposefully and applied practically.

Housing as a Subscription: Rethinking Ownership

Asked about a current project he’s proud of, Tony spotlighted Housing as a Subscription - an alternative to traditional mortgages and rentals. “Mortgages give you security,” he said, “but rental markets are expensive and offer no permanence.”

This new model sits between the two. Residents pay a monthly fee, customize their homes, maintain them, and - if they care for them - get 100% of their money back when they leave. “It’s like a savings account,” Tony explained. Embedded sensors deliver maintenance alerts, while an app guides residents on upkeep - from bleeding radiators to preventing mould.

Breaking Financial Myths

Tony challenged the long-held belief that housing is the best investment, citing data that shows broader market investments often outperform real estate. “If you made three to five times your money on a home, portfolios have made 13–17 times,” he noted. “So I might as well just give you your money back.”

By funneling subscription income into low-cost investments, his model creates an incentive-driven ecosystem where residents care deeply for their homes - and cities grow from within.

Designing for Maintenance & Community

With years of hands-on handyman experience, Tony advocates for new builds on brownfield sites, emphasizing maintainability over overengineering. “Most homes are built in a way that makes them unmaintainable,” he said.

His vision includes small communities with shared skillsets - plumbers, gardeners, coders, and carpenters - all contributing organically. “We’ve forgotten how to rest upon the neighbours,” he reflected. “Using your skills proudly to help your community - that’s what inspires me.”

The Power of Curiosity

In closing, Tony offered a poetic answer to the final question: What inspires you?

“People who are curious,” he said. Not just those who answer questions, but those who “ask better ones.” It’s this mindset - anticipating future problems rather than reacting to today’s - that guides his work across housing, data, and innovation.

“We need more free thinkers like you, Tony,” Jacob said.

“We’re all part of a community,” Tony replied with a smile.

Click here to watch the full interview episode of the Smart Facilities Podcast.