Introducing the Tenant Empowerment Programme

Tenant Management is a means whereby tenants can take on the management of a part, or all, of their housing.

The Tenant Empowerment Programme funds groups of tenants to undertake the training, consultation and negotiation needed to take over responsibilities from their landlord.

From 1st October 2008 there will be:

• Some statutory changes


• New guidance on a ‘voluntary route’ to tenant management


• Changes to the way Tenant Empowerment Programme supports tenant management

As a result of the statutory changes:

• The number of ballots required will reduce from two to one, to make the process quicker and less complicated


• Approved Agents will take on the new role of Lead Advisors who will not need CLG approval , opening out support to tenants.


• A pool of Approved Assessors will be recruited through the Approved Assessor Service to  give an  independent and robust assessment of competencies before the ballot

 As a result of the new voluntary route:

• For the first time, Housing Association tenants, as well as Local Authority tenants, may apply for Tenant Empowerment funding


• New 'Local Management Agreements' will allow tenants to take control of a limited range of services, operations or budgets (below the EU procurement level), giving them an 'easy entry' into tenant management


• A process for initiating tenant management will be available without the need for tenants to serve legal notice on their landlords. For budgets over the EU procurement limit (currently about £139,000)  this is likely to be subject to EU procurement rules.

If you’re a Housing Association tenant, you can now benefit from Tenant Empowerment Programme funding. If you’re new to tenant management, you can use ‘Local Management Agreements’ as an easy entry into involvement.

If you want to go the full management route, the process should be more straight-forward and, subject to EU procurement regulations, Housing Association tenants will be eligible too, through the voluntary route.  If you’re a current TMO looking to expand, the Local Management Agreements will give you more choice, and the statutory changes should make the process slightly simpler than before. All active tenants will benefit from the new Lead Advisors and Approved Assessors.

 From a landlord’s perspective:

• Likely to lead to increased interest in tenant involvement


• Tenant management can lead to increased co-operation from tenants and the ability to leverage local knowledge and resources.


• You will need to actively support tenants who are interested in management, ensuring they are aware of the different ways of getting involved.

Evidence shows that standards improve when tenants are given the opportunity to be involved directly in the management of their homes.

 How does tenant management help?

• Successful housing and neighbourhood management is central to tenant satisfaction.


• Evidence shows that standards improve when tenants are given the opportunity to be involved directly in the management of their homes.


• Tenant management can also contribute to a greater feeling of community and well-being.

The Tenant Empowerment Programme can:

• Assist residents who want to consider their choices for having more control or influence over local services


• Help residents get advice to choose the best route or way forward (this may include entering into a formal agreement to run some services locally and make other changes to local management arrangements)


• Give further support including training for residents if, after considering their choices and discussing these with their landlord, they decide to negotiate a Local Management Agreement or set up a tenant management organisation


• Give further help and support if residents choose to set up an organisation to take over the ownership of local council (but not housing association) homes

TEP funding helps tenants to:

• Select and appoint a person or agency called a ‘Lead Advisor’ for expert help and guidance


• Communicate with their neighbourhoods through newsletters, events and so on


• Consult and test support for their ideas


• Join training programmes and develop essential skills


• Visit and see what has happened in other places


• Meet other essential costs for their project