By Neil Merrick
Tenants are turning down opportunities to get involved in housing management and other civic activities because they fear being stigmatised, according to the Tenant Services Authority.
Tenants are turning down opportunities to get involved in housing management and other civic activities because they fear being stigmatised, according to the Tenant Services Authority.Many of those questioned in a survey last September believed that people who were active in their communities were seen by fellow tenants as ‘busybodies’.
The TSA’s report, published on March 27, pointed out that while the majority of tenants did not get involved in housing management, most claimed to want more say over how their landlord operated. Tenants who had good relationships with their landlords were more likely to be satisfied with their services.
Understanding tenant involvement, based on research carried out last September by Ipsos Mori, said some tenants did not believe they would have much influence if they became involved. A minority were already satisfied with their landlord.
But Phil Morgan, the TSA’s executive director for tenant services, said most tenants wanted their voices to be heard and the agency would look for ways to encourage participation.
