Tenant panels to hold landlords to account

Tenant panels to hold landlords to account

11:18 AM, 14th June 2011, About 13 years ago 2

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Housing Minister Grant Shapps has today launched plans to give tenants greater support to hold their landlords to account.

The Housing Minister argued that new locally-run tenant panels will put power back into the hands of residents, helping them to build the Big Society in their neighbourhoods.

To enable the creation of these locally-run tenant panels, Shapps announced plans for a £535,000 residential training programme, which aims to give tenants the confidence and skills needed to sit on such a tenant panel.  They would be expected to represent their neighbours and resolve local disputes, such as making sure repairs are made efficiently, and that complaints against anti-social behaviour are dealt with quickly.

To kick-start his plans, Shapps has asked charities and benevolent societies to bid to offer the training needed.  The funding is expected to deliver:

  • at least 1,500 social tenants trained to sit on tenant panels
  • eight different training courses covering a range of subjects – including tenant panels, influencing landlords, and sharing information and learning; and
  • opportunities for interested tenants to work towards accredited qualifications, which could help them onto new career paths.

As well as training, there are also plans for landlords to provide support and help to their tenants by working with them to set up tenant panels, and to make a wide variety of information available so that their performance as a landlord can be properly assessed.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps said:

“I want as many tenants as possible to sit on tenant panels, so they have control over their own homes and their own lives and can use their local knowledge to improve their area. But I don’t want them to feel isolated and unsupported – I want them to have the training and help they need to really make a difference.

“That’s why I am calling on charities and benevolent societies to step forward and help to deliver this £535,000 residential training programme, which will strengthen the arm of tenants to hold their landlords properly to account – and become true examples of the Big Society in action.”


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Comments

14:22 PM, 14th June 2011, About 13 years ago

I had always thought a contract was between two or more parties. Clearly anything relating to tenants is once again being seen as a one way agreement where only one party can be unhappy thereby requiring more support and assistance in airing their grievances.
Does it mention anywhere any support for Landlords, who are providing housing options where the Mr Schapps does not and in so doing are dealing with a whole variety of tenant issues using their own private resources?
Pah!

19:04 PM, 19th June 2011, About 13 years ago

If I read the announcement by Mr Shapps correctly, this seems to talk about social tenants, by which I assume he means Council or Housing Association, in which case I believe such tenant panels (associations) already exist.

If however this is to do with private sector landlords it is outrageous. Every letting has a Letting Agreement which details terms which control the landlord/ tenant relationship. Any disputes should be dealt with within that contract under frameworks provided by the parties concerned. It is no-one else's business.

Mr Shapps should save the money and put it towards the genuine public services which are being cut.

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