What is Tenant Engagement?
Tenant engagement is about making sure your voice shapes the housing services that affect you.
It means listening to residents, involving you in decisions, and acting on your feedback to deliver better homes, safer neighbourhoods, and services that work for you.
Tenant engagement is not just a consultation or a one-off survey - it's an ongoing conversation where residents and the council work in partnership.
Why it matters
In July 2023, the Social Housing (Regulation) Act became law. It gives tenants stronger rights and places a legal duty on landlords like us to:
- be open and honest with residents
- treat tenants with fairness, dignity and respect
- involve residents in shaping decisions and services
- make it easy for residents to raise issues and hold us to account
From April 2024, the Regulator of Social Housing introduced the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. This means we must:
- make it easy for you to access services
- show how your feedback is shaping change
- ensure all residents - including those with disabilities, language needs or digital barriers - can get involved
What does tenant engagement look like in practice?
It can take many forms, including:
- giving feedback through surveys or online forms
- reading our tenant magazine, Contact Point
- joining the Tenants Engagement Group to help shape decisions
- attending walkabouts, inspections or focus groups
- suggesting improvements or reporting issues
- helping review complaints, policies, or estate services
What are the benefits?
When tenants are involved:
- services improve based on real experiences
- repairs are more responsive
- neighbourhoods feel safer and cleaner
- complaints are resolved more effectively
- decisions are made with, not just about, residents
How we support you to get involved
We know everyone has different levels of time, confidence and interest - so we offer a range of flexible ways to take part. Whether you prefer quick feedback or regular meetings, your contribution is welcome and valued.
You can also access free training and support through national programmes like Four Million Homes.
Our work is guided by our Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Strategy, which was co-designed with residents. It outlines our priorities for involving you in shaping housing services now and into the future.
Get involved today
Email: tenants.group@guildford.gov.uk
Phone: 01483 505050