A big ‘thank you’ to those tenants who were able to join BCHA staff and Board members at our meeting on the 21st July to discuss the need for BCHA to comply with the new Tenant Services Authority (TSA) code. BCHA not only needs to comply with the code but wants to as we feel it will further improve on the service that we deliver to our Tenants.
Tenants highlighted the issues that they thought made for a good landlord, these were:-
- Listens, takes criticism and complaints and makes necessary improvements
- Value for money
- Regular and prompt maintenance
- Safe and secure accommodation
- Consults and genuinely seeks residents’ views and encourages their involvement
- Staff that are approachable, caring and friendly
- Telephone calls handled efficiently
Tenants did not feel the term ‘local offer’ as proposed by the TSA was sufficiently clear nor that it made it clear that this was a two-way process that required agreement. Tenants also wanted BCHA to make it clear what would happen if we did not meet the commitments in our agreement with you.
Before we do this we would like to know if there are any other comments tenants would like to make on standards of performance or how they are monitored. If you have any suggestions please contact us by writing to: BCHA, 1A Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2PU – or emailing: vanessaconnolly@bchal.org or telephoning us on: 01234 321400.
These comments will form the basis of standards that we are proposing to launch at our Annual General Meeting on the 22nd September to be held at The Bedford Swan Hotel, The Embankment, Bedford.
We would also like to take this opportunity to encourage you to think about becoming more involved in the management of BCHA. We currently have vacancies on our committees and would welcome more input from tenants.
At the moment we have no tenants on the Board and joining a committee is a good way of experiencing how BCHA manages itself and may encourage you to think about joining the Board.
If you do want to find out more about the different committees and their responsibilities, please contact Sue Uprichard (01234 321402) to arrange a convenient time for an informal chat with Vanessa Conolly, CEO, about what is entailed in becoming a committee member.
