A new New Local Government Network (NLGN) paper published outlines ways in which the 2008 Housing and Regeneration Act can help to better empower housing tenants.

The paper, written by Ian Keys, External Affairs Director for Pinnacle and one of those heavily involved in the lobbying over the Act, looks at the role of the new Tenant Services Authority (TSA) and offers recommendations on how it can bring together landlords, housing managers and tenants, ensuring that both receive fair treatment and value for money.

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The report cautions the TSA to focus on local factors rather than central targets, arguing: "It is essential that regulation does not pervert service focus. Such difficulties may arise if the TSA concentrates too closely on centrally imposed targets which do not resonate with local conditions. Proper attention must naturally be paid to central targets but regulators, in particular, should consult and engage with staff, service users and other local stakeholders to ensure that there is proper understanding of their requirements and preferences, as well as of local circumstances."

Mr Keys said: "The TSA has the opportunity of not only delivering tenant-centred regulation but of also becoming a leader in a new breed of outcome-focused and customer-centric regulators: potentially a model for others to follow."

(CD/JM)