Speaker Michelle Reid

We need more scrutiny and we need it earlier in the process.

Now that the Audit Commission has been scrapped and the TSA is anticipated to fall victim to similar misfortune how can the sector best protect tenants’ interests?

Michelle Reid, Chief Executive of TPAS, and plenary speaker at this year’s PfH Conference, advocates enshrining tenants’ right to scrutinise in the impending Localism Bill and turning to Grant Shapps’ local tenant panels in to ‘right-to-scrutinise panels’ could provide the answers that the sector is looking for.

Tenants have the most to gain from involvement in the supply chain process, since it directly affects the quality of their home and the services they receive. They can benefit from setting standards, selecting and monitoring contractors, and personal capacity building through training and meaningful involvement.

Involving tenants in the scrutiny of housing providers is doesn’t just benefit residents – it is invaluable to Registered Providers.  It saves providers money and drive up standards.  As residents have ownership of the procurement process they won’t automatically blame landlords if things go wrong. Should things go wrong, effective tenant engagement also offers the solution to put things right. However, Michelle cautions more incentives are needed to get providers to involve tenants in scrutinising their performance – and this means investing further in resident training. The benefits of tenant scrutiny must be communicated more effectively through the sector.

Good Registered Providers already know the benefits of engaging tenants at an early stage, for example when they procure goods and services. Sheffield Homes saved hundreds of thousands of pounds by getting tenants involved as early as possible to scrutinise specifications and contracts in a recent tender process. South Tyneside Homes involves tenants in product choice across the Decent Homes procurement programme and gives tenants training to support their involvement in procurement.

The sector fails to think enough about the positive impact of tenant empowerment. It doesn’t cost much but is can save a significant amount of money.  The sector must switch its focus from solutions that put things right after they’ve gone wrong, to involving tenants earlier so things don’t go wrong in the first place.

Michelle says, “I often see assumptions, made by housing providers at the beginning of a contracting process, being challenged by tenants. In the majority of cases this then results in landlords saving money, time, energy and goodwill. Whatever tenant involvement mechanism is decided on in the Localism Bill, it must be robust and inclusive of all tenants. It must also have tenants’ right to scrutinise at its core. Involving residents in scrutiny is key to how the government should move forward in the protection and empowerment of tenants. Good providers already know that tenant-led scrutiny benefits all parties, but it isn’t yet implemented or valued enough in the sector.”

At the PfH Conference taking place on 7th October at Manchester Central, Michelle will be exploring how Providers can turn tenant panels into right to scrutinise panels, giving them real power and protection as consumers. 

Establishing tenant involvement.

With the need for tenants to be at the heart of decision making the PfH Conference is hosting two dedicated sessions on the subject of tenant involvement within the procurement process.  Click here to download the full Conference agenda.