Partners in Participation

The National Strategy for 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.

This national strategy describes the principles that will be observed and the actions that will be taken to promote and improve tenant participation in the public and social rented sector throughout Scotland.

Key Principles for Good Tenant Participation

The following key principles have been endorsed by tenants' organisations, landlords, housing agencies and the Government to promote a consensus about good tenant participation practice: Tenant participation requires a culture of mutual trust, respect and partnership between tenants, elected and committee/board members, and housing officers at all levels, working together towards a common goal of better housing conditions and housing services. Tenant participation practice should be seen as a continuous process where information, ideas and power are shared, common understandings of problems are strived for and a consensus on solutions is worked out. Good tenant participation allows all parties to contribute to the agenda. All participants require to have all the information needed to consider issues properly; that information requires to be clear, timely and accessible and to take account of equal opportunities concerns. Processes of decision making should be open, clear, and accountable. Adequate time should be given to tenant representatives to consider the issues properly. Tenants should have the opportunity to work out a common view in advance of meeting landlordís representatives. Good tenant participation requires the landlord to recognise the independence of tenants' organisations. Good working relationships evolve gradually and are flexible to adapt to local circumstances. Tenants' organisations require adequate resources for organisation, training and support. Tenant participation in rural areas must be tailored to suit the particular circumstances and needs of tenants in such communities. Tenant participation must meet the requirements of the legislation surrounding equal opportunities. Good practice in participation removes barriers to effective participation arising from ethnicity, geographic location, special needs, language differences, learning difficulties, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

A Statutory Right to Participation

To underpin these principles, a statutory right to participation will be introduced, matched by duties on landlords.*

Statements of Action

Tenants' organisations

Will work as partners with landlords and staff on matters affecting their communities. Will provide information to tenants. Will aim to represent the views and interests of all tenants to the landlord, and identify issues of concern. Will provide information and expert local knowledge to the landlord. Will identify resource needs, including training for tenants. Will be accountable for the use of public funds. Will recognise and respect the statutory and regulatory frameworks within which some landlords are required to conduct their operations.

Scottish Local Authorities, Scottish Homes, Housing Associations and other social landlords

Will involve tenants as partners in discussion of and decisions on matters affecting their communities. Will encourage and support the development of effective tenants' groups in every area and agree recognition criteria with tenants. Will work with tenants to develop a Tenant Participation Policy. Will review the current level and source of resources that is available to promote tenant participation in their area. Will commit resources to promote good tenant participation practice in their areas. Will recognise the important role of independent advice. Will recognise and respect the right of tenants' organisations to be independent of the landlord.

Central Government

Will legislate to introduce a statutory right to participate.* Will commit resources to support tenant participation at a national level (involving sponsorship of national bodies, funding of research, training and good practice guidance). Will continue to convene the Working Group on Tenant Participation as a forum in which to ensure that the Strategy is implemented. Will involve tenants (through the Scottish Tenants Organisation) in discussions about developing housing policy at a national level.

Codes of Practice

Codes of Practice for tenant participation will be developed, to be endorsed by landlords, housing agencies and tenants organisations. They will include: Tenant participation in the development of housing policy at a national level. Establishing tenant participation policies and monitoring arrangements at at local level. Tenant participation in Best Value / Performance Standards. Tenant participation in Regeneration/ New Housing Partnerships. Tenant participation in Stock Transfers. Tenant participation in Rural Areas.

Implementation and Monitoring

Implementing the strategy will require the co-ordinated action of many bodies, groups and individuals. The performance of local authority and housing associations (and all new registered social landlords) will be monitored and evaluated by the relevant regulatory frameworks. The Working Group on Tenant Participation will, acting in an advisory capacity, oversee progress at a strategic level, and will report to Ministers at least annually.

(* Legislation will be for the new Scottish Executive)