TPAS, HouseMark and CIH are preparing to launch a new framework of standards for tenant scrutiny to help landlords and tenants improve the quality of housing services.

This comes as the focus of consumer protection and decision-making moves away from the regulator towards tenants themselves and their own locally defined needs and priorities.

Quality Assured Scrutiny (QAS) is a new accreditation scheme from TPAS, HouseMark and CIH which will recognise the quality of tenant scrutiny and the improvements it will deliver in social housing.

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Landlords and tenants were invited to London recently to help shape the service and offer their views; Juliet Craven, Service Director Corporate Services for Wakefield and District Housing said: "We welcome the new quality framework as a marker for raising the standards of services to tenants. The more that organisations engage with their tenants, the more effective the scrutiny will be."

Chris Stock, Resident Involvement and Scrutiny Manager at London Borough of Croydon added: "Arrangements for tenant scrutiny should be externally assessed to ensure that they are meeting the highest standards and delivering for both tenants and landlords. An accreditation framework will also allow good practice to be recognised and shared with others."

(CD)