Have You Had Your Say In The National Conversation?

The largest ever consultation of housing tenants has begun.

The National Conversation – the biggest such scheme in England – is offering tenants a unique chance to have their say on what they think of their landlords, the services they offer and the areas of service that are most important to get right.

The newly formed regulator for social housing, the Tenant Services Authority, is keen to consult across the social housing sector to help develop a single set of standards.

This means that council tenants as well as those in a housing association can expect the same level of service. And the biggest local provider, Wigan and Leigh Housing, have warmly welcomed the consultation, and urge their tenants to get involved to help shape the future standards for social housing.

Marjorie Marsden, tenant board member and deputy chair of WALH said: “It is important that people get involved so that they can let the new regulator know what matters to them. Not all landlords operate under the same conditions and the regulator needs to be aware of what matters to tenants in our borough.”

Marjorie added that there are lots of ways tenants can get involved in the National Conversation. “You can attend events run by us or hold Local Conversations at home with friends and neighbours,” she said, “Or if you prefer you can also complete a questionnaire on-line by visiting the National Conversation website’.

Agreed standards for landlords to meet will be rolled out towards the end of the year with Arms Length Management Organisations, such as Wigan and Leigh Housing, being included under the new regulatory regime from April of next year.

The consultation period runs until 11 March. For further information please contact the Tenant Participation team on freephone 0800 389 7652 or go to the National Conversation Website