SHR: New report gives insight into what value for money means to tenants
Regulator releases fourth National Panel of Tenants and Service Users.
A new report has been released which gives an insight into what value for money means to users of social landlords’ services. The Scottish Housing Regulator’s National Panel of Tenants and Service Users found that rent levels, affordability and the quality of home have the biggest influence on value for money judgments.
The report brings together feedback from the National Panel’s fourth year. Almost all panel members said that value for money should feature in landlords’ performance reporting and more than nine out of ten feel this information would be useful to tenants. Panel members also favour a range of measures rather than a clear preference for one single indicator.
The panel also considered rent affordability. Around a third of members who took part in the survey said they have experienced rent affordability problems. And looking forward, two thirds said they have concerns around potential future rent affordability problems because of future rent increases or changes to their benefits or income.
Iain Muirhead, Director of Strategy and Communications, Scottish Housing Regulator, said:
“The National Panel continues to give us really valuable insights into what’s important to people who use social landlords’ services. The report shows that tenants have an appetite for their landlords to continue to develop how they demonstrate value for money.
“Future rent affordability featured again this year in the panel’s discussions. Our message remains that landlords should consider tenants’ ability to keep paying rent in the longer term when setting rents.”
Later this month, the regulator will publish its national headline findings from the Scottish Social Housing Charter. That report will show the national picture on rent levels and tenant satisfaction on value for money.
The regulator is embarking on a review of its Regulatory Framework later this year. It will work closely with stakeholders on the review. The National Panel’s feedback will help shape its thinking.
The panel has almost 500 members. It is open to anyone who is a social housing tenant or uses social landlords’ services. Membership is diverse and includes people from urban and rural areas, across age bands, local authority and RSL tenants. Anyone interested in joining the panel should contact Craigforth. Contact details are available on its website.