Council housing: tenant participation

Tenant participation is a two-way process where tenants influence decisions about their housing conditions, services, and policies.

It empowers residents to share ideas, improve their communities, and hold landlords accountable, ranging from consultation to direct partnership. In Scotland, it is a legal requirement for social landlords.

Effective Tenant Participation enhances service delivery, fosters better communication and understanding between staff and tenants, and strengthens community – Council links. It also increases tenant satisfaction by developing new skills, breaking down misunderstandings and building mutual respects.

We recognise the importance of tenants helping us to improve our services. We rely heavily on the time and commitment of tenant volunteers and we want to make sure that getting involved is easy and cost free. We can help with transport to and from meetings and providing necessary support when required.

Working together with tenants and service users, Tenant Participation in East Dunbartonshire has developed an approach where Talking and Listening works both ways to allow points to be made and heard from both sides. In doing so, the Communication between tenants, services users and the Housing Service ensures that respectful and meaningful discussions can be held which then supports the improvement of services being delivered to our tenants.

We like to call this TLC.

The Tenant Participation Team offers assistance, support, advice, and information to help you establish a tenants’ association. We can also guide you in securing funding for your group.

Associations represent community views and collaborate with us and other organisations on various issues. They express concerns about housing, community, and local matters, participating in decision-making processes. They support local communities by providing information, advice, and access to other services and departments.

Forming an association offers numerous benefits for tenants and residents, including:

• Engaging in local decision-making processes
• Enhancing your local community
• Building relationships with Council Services.

Maintaining a respectful and meaningful communication link between tenants, service users, and the Housing Service.    

Most tenant organisations hold regular meetings, which are open to all tenants in the area.

East Dunbartonshire Council is committed to developing and supporting new groups interested in housing and their local community.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 introduced registration of tenant organisations. If your group becomes a Registered Tenant Organisation you have a legal right to be consulted on Housing issues. The aim is to give tenants and residents associations, that meet certain criteria, a recognised role in the tenant participation process.

The register has information on:

• What area the group covers
• How to contact the group
• When and where meetings are held
• Whether the groups meetings are accessible to people with special needs. 

Read the Register of Tenant Organisations.

Organisations wishing to become a Registered Tenant Organisation should contact tenantparticipation@eastdunbarton.gov.uk for the registration procedures and forms.

All Councils throughout Scotland are required to have in place a Tenant Participation Strategy which ultimately will enable 'continuous improvement in landlords performance in supporting and enabling tenants to participate'.

Read our Tenant Participation Strategy 2023 – 2028.

The Tenant Participation Newsletter, 'Taking Part', is sent to all our tenants three times a year.

It is produced with the tenants on the Tenant Participation Working Group.

The newsletter gives up-to-date information and news relevant to our tenants. We can also produce copies of the newsletter in community languages. To request this, you can contact the Tenant Participation Team.

Read the latest edition of the Tenant Participation Newsletter 'Taking Part'.

A Tenant Satisfaction survey 2024 was recently carried out. The purpose of the survey is to improve services to our tenants, as well as meeting the requirement of The Scottish Social Housing Charter.

Download the Tenant Satisfaction survey report.

The Tenant Participation Working Group is made up of tenants, tenant & resident association representatives, Councillors and members of housing staff. The group reviews tenant and monitors participation activities and housing related services relevant to tenants. This group meets five times a year. 

Tenant participation in Scotland allows tenants to influence Council Housing services, policies, and neighbourhood improvements, supported by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. Interested tenant lists are used to notify residents of consultations, surveys, and focus groups. Joining the list allows you an opportunity to be sent a survey or be invited to attend and participate in groups discussions or events. However, you're not under any obligation to do so. You're free to pick and choose what interests you. We'll contact you in the way that best suits you.

If you would like to be added to the list, please feel free to contact the Tenant Participation Team or call 0300 123 4510.

We fund tenant participation within the area and support local tenants' organisations, allowing opportunities to apply for a grant. This may include for example help to cover costs such as hall lets, stationery, membership of independent advisory groups and other relevant expenses.

Before a group can apply for a Tenant Participation Grant, it must have a constitution, a bank account and sound financial guidelines in place.

To apply for a Tenant Participation Grant, email tenantparticipation@eastdunbarton.gov.uk for an application form. We can help groups fill in applications.

The Sheltered Housing Forum provides tenants with a chance to engage in the management of their homes. It serves as a platform for tenants to gather, discuss shared concerns, and collaborate with us to enhance the quality of sheltered housing.

The Forum convenes four times annually, and all East Dunbartonshire Council sheltered housing tenants are welcome to participate.

If you would like further information on the Sheltered Housing Forum please contact the Tenant Participation Team or call 0300 123 4510.

April 2026 – August 2026

Welcome to the Tenant Participation diary, which highlights meetings and events, which have been arranged for the coming months. The diary will be updated regularly and will be included in each Taking Part newsletter. If you require any information on any meeting or event shown, please contact the Tenant Participation team on 0141 777 3171 or email tenantparticipation@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

The Council welcomes new opportunities for tenants to engage and get involved by participating in and supporting Tenant Participation activities. Such as tenant scrutiny of services, tenant events, and more. If you have an idea or suggestion then please get in touch. 

Visit our Home Safety Information for Tenants page for information and advice on asbestos, dampness and other home Health and Safety issues.

For a list of useful contacts, visit our Useful Contact Information for Tenants page.