Tenants of three local landlords heard about the vital role they play in driving standards and service delivery at a Joint Involved Tenants Conference organised to encourage engagement.

Rykneld Homes, working in partnership with North East Derbyshire District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and Bolsover District Council, brought together their involved tenants at the SMH Stadium in Chesterfield, to hear from keynote speakers, including the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) and Derbyshire Law Centre.

The day-long event also included three interactive tenant workshops focused on repairs, damp and condensation and What Makes a Home.

Niall Clark, Director of Customer and Strategic Partnerships and Deputy MD at Rykneld Homes, said: “We are committed to providing safe and decent homes for our customers - to do that it’s crucial that we engage with them at every opportunity.

“Hearing first hand what customers think, want and need means we can provide the homes our communities deserve.

“This event is just one of the ways we engage with our involved tenants, allowing them to meet and share their views and experiences.”

Recent changes to consumer standards place tenant engagement high on the agenda, with events like the conference an important way of working with tenants to improve standards and service delivery.

Vicky Dawson, Assistant Director Housing Management at Bolsover District Council, said: “This was our second joint Tenant Conference. We all love this event as it is a fantastic opportunity for officers and tenants to come together, share best practice and ideas.

“There are vast legislation and regulation changes affecting the housing sector currently and by sharing knowledge and listening to our tenants’ feedback we can ensure we are improving our services to meet their needs.”

Councillor Jean Innes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “It’s important that we give our tenants the chance to help shape our services and we have lots of opportunities for Chesterfield Borough Council tenants to get involved.

“The Joint Involved Tenants Conference is an event we have been looking forward to as it enables our tenants to get together with tenants from neighbouring local authorities and share their own experiences.

“I hope all those that attended enjoyed the event and we are looking forward to continuing to work with our tenants to make sure our services can meet their needs.”

Efficiency North EN:Able Communities Head of Operations, Simeon Perry, led a workshop offering practical tips and sharing the difference making small changes can have on reducing damp and condensation.

He said: “Everyone in the social housing sector is aware of the pernicious impact that damp and mould in the home can have on the health and wellbeing of its occupants.

“The conference is a great example of how the councils strive to do their best to engage tenants and provide high quality and safe housing their tenants are proud to call home.

“We were honoured to attend such a superb event and experience such successful tenant engagement and involvement, achieved through the collaboration of three North East Derbyshire social housing providers.”

If you are interested in becoming an involved tenant, please visit: