ForHousing has been recognised for its commitment to giving tenants a say in how services are delivered.
The landlord, which owns and manages 24,000 homes in the north west of England, received the Pro Landlord Accreditation from national tenant engagement experts Tpas.
The accreditation is the only independent, evidence-based scheme of its kind, looking into how effective landlords are at involving tenants in how organisations and community services are run.
Following a full assessment involving ‘reality check’ sessions with ForHousing tenants, staff, and board members, Tpas singled out the “positive, can do attitude” and the landlord’s “willingness to work with, to listen to, to act upon, to own and to feedback and work positively with tenants and the wider community”.
The accreditation report also highlighted that the “positive attitude and culture” at ForHousing allowed the “organisation to continuously move forward, improve, create more accountable and transparent ways that ensure real tenant influence and challenge”.
Tpas recognised a number of areas of excellence, including the development of an ‘insight engine’ that pulls data from across the organisation to improve how decisions are made.
Working in partnership with tenants, the team at ForHousing launched their Tenant Voice strategy earlier this year.
‘We need to evolve and work with communities’
ForHousing has also launched a new Redress Policy that has transformed how complaints are dealt with, ensuring tenants can have one-to-one conversations and only have to deal with a single person till the issue is resolved.
Martyn Hague, ForHousing’s director of Neighbourhoods, said: “In order to be the best landlord we can be, we need to involve and work together with communities to create services that are person-centred and inclusive.
“We’re a progressive landlord, we believe in delivering real change, challenging the norm and delivering homes and places that create new possibilities.
“We could not do that without working alongside tenants, enabling them to challenge and influence, and a team of colleagues who really work towards our purpose to improve lives.
“As the sector awaits the release of the Social Housing White Paper, this accreditation is a clear sign that we are doing things right, demonstrating best practice and valuing people.”
Jenny Osbourne, chief executive of Tpas, said: “Tpas are delighted to award this accreditation.
“By achieving this ForHousing demonstrate the high standard of service they offer their residents.
“Overall, ForHousing have demonstrated their positive culture and strategic approach to tenant involvement across the organisation with staff and tenants.”
Part of the ForViva Group, ForHousing owns and manages more than 24,000 homes and delivers housing management services for other landlords.
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