WIREDGOV

Social housing tenants up and down the country are being asked to host their own Local Conversation events to help shape the Tenant Services Authority’s (TSA) new standards for social housing landlords in England.

The local events are being encouraged as part of the second phase of the National Conversation – the largest consultation to ever be held with social hosing tenants. More than 27,000 tenants took part in the first stage, where getting repairs and maintenance right and tackling anti-social behaviour were listed as top priorities for their landlords.

Using the results of the first phase of consultation, the TSA recently published a discussion paper on the proposed new standards.

Local Conversation events will give tenants a chance to have their say on the standards which focus on a number of themes – the services offered to tenants which include repairs and maintenance and neighbourhood management, tenant empowerment and involvement, the tenancy agreement which covers rents and allocations, governance, viability and value for money.

Chief Executive, Peter Marsh said, “We want tenants to get involved in shaping the standards to help improve the services that landlords provide.

“Local Conversations don’t have to be formal – they could be a group of neighbours or friends getting together over a cup of tea in somebody’s home or during existing tenants meetings.  The important thing is to provide the chance for people to talk about what think of our plans”.
 
“This is a great opportunity for tenants to come together and tell us on what they like about the standards or what might not work. I want as many people as possible to have their say.”

The events can be run by existing and prospective social housing tenants and shared owners.
 
Anyone interested in hosting an event can download an application pack or request a copy by calling the TSA on 0845 230 7000.
 
All comments received will be published TSA’s website and will be used to help shape the standards.

Notes to editors:

1) The discussion paper, Building a new regulatory framework, is available on the TSA website at www.tenantservicesauthority.org

2) The consultation on the draft standards runs until 8 September 2009. The final phase will be a statutory consultation which will be launched in the Autumn 2009.

3) Tenants can also take part in the National Conversation by:
• Responding to the TSA’s discussion paper - help us fine-tune our draft standards by responding in writing to our discussion paper.
Come to an event - see us at one the range of events and conferences we’re taking part in this summer.
• Take part in an event organised by your landlord - lots of social housing landlords are running events with their tenants. Contact yours to find out if they’re holding one and how you can take part.
• Make a film – tell us on camera what’s important to you. Simply upload your own film to our YouTube channel.

4) The TSA is the new independent regulator for affordable housing, set up to raise the standard of services through a well-governed sector that puts tenants first. It launched on 1 December 2008 and currently regulates housing associations. From spring 2010, the TSA will also regulate other providers of social housing, such as local authorities and arms-length management organisations. Initially the TSA will operate under the legal powers of the Housing Corporation while it consults on the powers set out in the 2008 Housing and Regeneration Act.