What is Tenant Participation?
Tenant participation is 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 service (National Strategy for
Tenant Participation – Partners in Participation (1999).
The right to participate comes from a
reasonable expectation on the part of tenants that housing services
and policies should meet their needs and preferences, as far as
possible within available resources.
Effective participation leads to
better and more responsive management and this helps inform
decisions about improving service delivery and providing value for
money.
Tenant Participation in Dover
Before East Kent Housing was
launched, Dover District Council published a Tenant
Participation Strategy that sought to develop, in partnership with
tenants, improved housing conditions and services.
The purpose of the Strategy is to
achieve continuous improvement in our performance in supporting and
enabling tenants to influence how our services are delivered. By
promoting participation and involvement that is subject to regular
review by both parties, a participative partnership of mutual trust
and respect can develop.
This relationship will then have the
following benefits for us and our tenants:
- Improved services and greater value for money
- Better decision-making and priority setting
- Improved tenant and staff satisfaction
- Development of skills and knowledge among tenants
- Informed and knowledgeable tenants who have the skills and
confidence to influence decisions
- staff and tenants being more aware of each other’s perspectives
and organisational and financial limitations
- breaking down misunderstandings, helping to remove any mistrust
between landlord and tenants, and building mutual respect and
understanding
- increased tenant satisfaction with their home and
neighbourhood
- increased job satisfaction for staff
The benefits of tenant participation
and improvements in service delivery will not happen overnight and
will evolve over time as effective information, communication and
participation structures strengthen.
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