If your council owns homes then tenants and leaseholders have the Right to Manage their housing service. You must give information, guidance and support to resident groups who want to consider their options for control of their local service. 'Local choice, local control' is the statutory guidance that tells you more about your role.
From April 2010 (unless the government changes its mind) your housing services will be regulated by the Tenant Services Authority. Local ‘deals’ with tenants will say how you answer to communities on things like repairs, the quality of neighbourhoods and the way homes are managed. See our guide to the new TSA regulations to find out more.
Maybe your council is not a landlord. Even so, all councils have a legal ‘duty to involve’ residents, and most councils have some way to see that residents get a say in decisions in their local neighbourhoods. Housing associations must co-operate with councils in so-called ‘place shaping’ – getting all bodies working together to make sure there is a good environment for neighbourhoods to thrive.
What’s right for you? Here are just some things you might consider:
From April 2010 (unless the government changes its mind) your housing services will be regulated by the Tenant Services Authority. Local ‘deals’ with tenants will say how you answer to communities on things like repairs, the quality of neighbourhoods and the way homes are managed. See our guide to the new TSA regulations to find out more.
Maybe your council is not a landlord. Even so, all councils have a legal ‘duty to involve’ residents, and most councils have some way to see that residents get a say in decisions in their local neighbourhoods. Housing associations must co-operate with councils in so-called ‘place shaping’ – getting all bodies working together to make sure there is a good environment for neighbourhoods to thrive.
What’s right for you? Here are just some things you might consider:
- If you own homes, local agreements can give tenants day to day control over things like repairs, common space and tenancy management. Council tenants have a right to these agreements and your council should be able to give advice and guidance about the choices
- If you are planning new homes in future, involve tenants from the start in designing their neighbourhood and deciding how to manage it in future. Build in tenant control from the outset - it helps ensure a thriving community
- If you have successful tenant controlled housing groups in your area, talk to then about expanding to manage more homes or build new ones
- The Tenant Empowerment Programme helps tenant control move forward. Look into whether groups in your area might attract grants and advice to your area.