What is Tenant Participation?
Our tenants should be involved in the housing services they receive. We ask you to share your views and take part in decision-making. We want to work alongside you to provide for the community.
Getting involved gives you a greater voice. Our tenant participation and customer engagement handbook tells you more.
Our quarterly magazine, Down Your Street, is also a good way to keep up to date with what we are doing and how you can get involved. Here are our latest editions:
For more information on the work we do, please see our tenant participation strategy 2019-2023. This looks at the requirements of the Scottish Social Housing Charter. The content was agreed upon in consultation with the Fife Federations and Fife Forum.
This is a list of tenants who are interested in housing issues. They've asked to be consulted on council housing matters.
We may send you a survey or invite you to participate in group discussions or attend 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, either by
- phone
- post
- text
Please contact the Tenant Participation team for more information at tenantparticipation@fife.gov.uk
We work in partnership with three tenants federations in Fife. The federations represent and support tenants and residents groups. They can offer advice and assistance.
Glenrothes Area Residents Federation – GARF
GARF is a voluntary organisation that seeks to represent tenants and residents within the Glenrothes area.
They are located at 4 Marchmont Gate, Kingdom Shopping Centre, KY7 5NB
You can contact them on 01592 759977 or email garf.fed@gmail.com
They are open on Mondays, between 10 am and 4 pm. On Tuesday to Thursday, they are open between 9 am and 2 pm.
North East Fife Tenants & Residents Federation – NEFTRF
NEFTRF brings together tenants and residents within the North and East Fife area. They aim to share knowledge, skills and information.
They are located at c/o 19 Crossgate, Cupar, KY15 5HA
You can contact them on 07484075316 or email eastfifefederation@msn.com
They are open Monday to Friday, between 9:30am and 3pm.
Fife Federation of Tenants & Residents Associations - FFOTRA
FFOTRA is an organisation set up by tenants for tenants. It covers the west and central area of Fife. It provides help and advice to set up and run tenants and residents groups. It also looks at housing issues and legislation, as well as offering training for committees and individuals.
They are located at 9a Hunter Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1ED
You can contact them on 01592 641968 or email enquiries@ffotra.co.uk
They are open from Monday to Friday, between 9 am and 4:30 pm.
We work with Fife Tenants Forum to develop housing policies and services.
The Fife Tenants Forum discusses issues affecting people across Fife. Members of the forum act on behalf of the tenants and pass information and decisions back to them.
The key priorities of the Fife Tenants Forum are to:
- Work with Fife Council to develop a Tenant Scrutiny Framework that links to the Tenant Participation Strategy for 2018-2022
- Monitor and review the Tenant Participation Strategy
- Work with Fife Council on ways to lessen the impact of the Welfare reform
- Review rents and housing investment with value for money
- Look closely at landlord performance
- Influence decisions taken about housing policies and services
- Involve more tenants and provide different ways for tenants to have their say
These are community groups made up of local volunteers who come together for the interests of tenants and residents in their area.
The groups provide a stronger voice for tenants in Fife. They have a say on decision-making and act as a centre point for discussion.
For information, please contact us at tenantsparticipation@fife.gov.uk
Do you care about what happens in your community? Why not set up a tenant group in your local area? Your group can look at housing issues or policies, or anything related to your community.
Tenant participation officers are available to provide advice and support. They can
- explain what is involved and work with you to set out your group’s aims
- help raise interest in your area
- advise you on how set up the first public meeting to recruit members
- help organise regular meetings with housing staff to discuss issues that matter to you
For more information on setting up a group, please contact us at tenantsparticipation@fife.gov.uk
Our Fife tenant-led scrutiny panel can give tenants the opportunity to look in-depth at the work we do within Housing Services. By this we mean that you can look at what we've done, how we've done it and the outcome of this. You have the opportunity to have greater influence and hold your landlord to account.
Estate walkabouts encourage tenants and residents to work with officers to highlight issues in the local area.
Residents and officers walk the estate together, looking for any issues and taking note of them. An action plan will be created by residents and officers together, choosing what actions need to be taken and a suitable timescale.
Tenant gatherings let you have your say on potential rent levels for next year. It also gives you the chance to meet your tenant federation and local housing team.
You will have access to other local groups, organisations and support services. These gatherings also have free travel arrangements and refreshments.
In our recent magazine survey, tenants spoke of how the magazine was a great way of sharing information.
In the latest edition of Down Your Street magazine, you will find articles related to:
- where you live
- local events
- information on current services
- annual rent surveys
- safety information
- fraud prevention
- money and energy-saving tips
- mental wellbeing
- local Tenant and Resident Associations' activities
- fun family competitions
The council delivers a copy of the quarterly magazine to 30,000 households.