Tenant Participation
The Association recognises tenant participation as being about tenants taking part in decision making processes and influencing decisions about housing policies, housing conditions and housing (and related) services. It is a two-way process which involves the sharing of information, ideas and power. Its aim is to improve the standard of housing conditions and services.
Through effective engagement with tenants, the Association aims to ensure that tenant feedback and opinion is incorporated within the Association's decision-making processes.
In order to promote tenant participation, the Association has developed a Tenant Participation Strategy that outlines how the Association aims to engage and participate with tenants on an individual basis and collectively.
A copy of the Association's Tenancy Participation Strategy is available here.
Next Steps Programme
The Association is currently participating in the Scottish Government funded Next Steps Programme that is delivered by the Tenant Information Services (TIS) and the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS). Next Steps is a seven-step programme aimed at landlords who wish to review and improve their current tenant participation and scrutiny arrangements.
A copy of the Next Steps Programme information leaflet can be viewed or downloaded here.
After working closely with the Association over the last year, TIS have developed an action plan for the Association implement. The aim of the action plan is to assist the Association in developing its tenant participation arrangements by allowing more opportunities for tenants to become involved in Association activities and decision-making processes.
A copy of the Action Plan and information on the Association's progress regarding the implementation of the plan can viewed by clicking the link below:
Next Steps Action Plan
Registered Tenant Organisations (RTOs)
Registered Tenant Organisations (RTOs) were introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and give important rights to groups who register with the Association. RTOs are independent organisations set up primarily to represent tenants' housing and related interests. Registration gives groups a recognised role in the Association's decision-making processes.
The Association is responsible for ensuring that registered groups meet the registration criteria and will assist groups through the registration process. Any groups wishing to become registered with the Association must provide the following information:
• A copy of their constitution.
• A list of office bearers and committee members.
• A contact address for correspondence.
• A description of the area the group operates in.
• Details of other landlords the group are registered with or applying to become registered with.
More information about the registration process and the role of RTOs is published within the Association's Tenant Participation Strategy. Alternatively, further information can be sought by contacting Housing Services on 0141 950 9052.
The Association must maintain a public register of RTOs. The Association's Register of Tenant Organisations can be viewed here.
Tenant Scrutiny
Scrutiny is a critical examination of services, underpinned by good quality, up-to-date performance data and information that is made available to those involved in scrutiny activities. Scrutiny is about being able to ask landlords questions based on clear information and data, such as: why is a service delivered in a particular way; why are particular timescales in place; how much is this costing; can costs be reduced while still providing a good level of service; and could we do this better or differently? The answers to these and similar questions should lead to recommendations that result in change and improvement.
The Three Principles for Effective scrutiny are:
Independence – scrutiny activities should be separate from governance, management and mainstream TP structures, but have a formal recognised status with support from the organisation at the outset.
Formality – scrutiny activities should include clear roles, remit, terms of reference and lines of reporting for those taking part.
Power – tenants and other customers involved in scrutiny activities should be able to undertake a detailed examination of services and standards and make recommendations for service improvements. Landlords should respond to this by agreeing which measures can be implemented and, where they can’t be implemented, explaining fully why not.
Scrutiny activities can include service-specific scrutiny, where a particular service or policy is scrutinised, or scrutiny of a range of activities, where performance is scrutinised on a regular and systematic basis. This can include comparing performance against, for example, the previous quarter’s performance and looking at trends, improvements, and dips in performance to identify areas where service-specific scrutiny may be needed.
Ultimately, the purpose of tenant scrutiny is to improve organisational performance and the standard of services being delivered. Tenant scrutiny can be effective in doing this because:
• It provides a valuable reality check about the quality of services;
• It ensures tenants’ experiences are routinely considered alongside other forms of performance data;
• It provides a mechanism to ensure that landlords are delivering the services tenants want, which means they can tailor their services to reflect local needs and priorities; and
• Tenants can be powerful advocates for efficiency and improving Value for Money (VFM).
More information about tenant scrutiny can be sought by contacting Housing Services on 0141 950 9052.
Recent Consultations
The Association consults tenants and other service users in relation to the services it provides or proposes to introduce and when reviewing key policies that could impact an individual’s tenancy.
Outcome reports to recent consultation exercises / surveys can be viewed below:
• Website Consultation
• Rent Increase Consultation 2019 / 2020
• Letting Policy Consultation
• Settling In Visit Survey Report 2018 / 2019
• Termination of Tenancy Survey Report 2018 / 2019
• Rent Increase Consultation 2020 / 2021
• Settling In Visit Survey Report 2019 / 2020
• Termination of Tenancy Survey Report 2019 / 2020
• Rent Increase Consultation 2021 / 2022
• Tenant Satisfaction Survey 2021 Results
• Settling In Visit Survey Report 2020 / 2021
• Termination of Tenancy Survey Report 2020 / 2021
• Rent Increase Consultation 2022 / 2022
• Letting Policy Review 2022 Report