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Leeds Tenants Federation
Leeds Tenants Federation is a resident-led organisation representing over 70,000 households across the city of Leeds. (Detailed Membership figures here)
We provide a range of services to help residents to participate in decision-making and we represent their views at the highest level.
The Tenants Movement: discover the protests, riots and campaigns in the history of the tenants movement - find out how tenants have changed housing policy - see:
www.tenantshistory.org.uk
Tenant Management for Housing Associations
What is Tenant Management?
l Tenant Management is a form of participation in which the tenants in an area take on the responsibility for some aspects of day-to-day management and/or repairs.
l The landlord still owns the property and tenants keep their tenancy.
l To take over management, tenants must set up a properly constituted organisation – a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO)
l Responsibilities are negotiated with the landlord and set out in a management agreement
What form does a TMO take?
l Usually a Company or an Industrial and Provident Society
l Each TMO has a Committee elected by members which oversees the management of the estate
l People with specialist skills may be co-opted to offer particular knowledge or experience
l Some TMO’s prefer more of a partnership with the landlord with emphasis on tenants and the landlord representatives working together – this is encouraged with TMOs within RSLs
What do TMOs do?
Typically:
l Letting properties
l Day to day repairs and maintenance
l Cleaning and decorating
l Dealing with neighbour disputes
l Collecting rents and tackling arrears
l Ensuring tenants are informed and listened to
l Employing staff to carry out the work
l Managing and controlling the budget for management and maintenance
Where do TMO’s get their money?
l The TMO will negotiate an allowance from the landlord for management and maintenance of the properties
l The budget size is usually determined by the number of properties and the services which the TMO provides
Exploring the Options – Possible Outcomes
- A voluntary route, where you agree with your housing association landlord (or landlords) to work together to set up a TMO
- Entering into a voluntary arrangement with your landlord to negotiate a Local Management Agreement where you control, run or provide a limited number of services for your landlord or managing agent
- Looking at neighbourhood arrangements and how they can influence not just housing but a wider range of services
- No route
What’s involved in setting up a voluntary TMO
l Eligible for further Government funding
l Potential to seek help from a Lead Advisor
l Feasibility and development study likely to last up to 15 months
l Carry out a Feasibility & development study to:
l Develop the skills in your organisation, especially the committee, to manage effectively
l Agree what services you want to manage, and negotiate these with your landlord
l Agree how much money you will have from the landlord to do this
l Decide on how your organisation will be run
What’s involved in setting up a TMO
l Committee training
l Making sure the committee is in control of the organisation
l Develop housing policy
l Negotiate with your landlord
l Develop an ‘offer document’ for tenants
l Become competent
l Test opinion of the residents
l Recruit staff
l Sign a management agreement
Policy & Campaigns In Depth
Publications
Check Leeds Tenants Federation Latest Publication..
