What is Tenant Scrutiny?

Resident led self regulation is a real opportunity for landlords to work closely with their residents to test and assess service delivery in order to improve services, drive efficiency savings and getter better value for money.

Tenant Scrutiny is one of the ways in which self regulation can be achieved. The framework should be a partnership between landlord and residents that focuses on getting the best results for everyone.

Solon’s approach to Tenant Scrutiny is a tailor made programme that is practical, deliverable, affordable and easily accessible to by residents, staff and Board members. 

Making it work

Solon’s scrutiny framework is a tried and tested evidence based model. The framework is structured to enable you to identify and carry out in-depth examinations of any element of a service area. The outcomes are clear, supported by useful recommendations of how and where services can be improved.

Solon has created a number of easy to use templates which guide residents and staff through the key stages of the scrutiny process; from identifying the scrutiny area to drafting recommendations to Board. The methodology ensures key decisions and recommendations are based on clear evidence. The evidence collected through the process is used to make the business case for change.

Organisational buy-in

Getting buy in from the Board, staff and residents is key to embedding the programme. From the outset it is important that Board members, staff and other resident panels understand:

• The purpose of scrutiny and their role
  
• How the Scrutiny Panel can add value
  
• How investigations will be conducted
  
• How they contribute to the work of the panel
  
• The robustness of the framework
  

Solon’s framework ensures a clear, simple and deliverable process. We work closely with staff to make best use of resources and information.

To achieve value for money, we work with the organisation’s resident involvement structure to enable it to contribute and add value to the work of the Scrutiny Panel. 

Recruiting and training residents

We believe an open and transparent recruitment process builds trust and confidence with staff and residents and will ensure a Panel with the appropriate skills and abilities.

Working with staff we agree the basic criteria to recruit residents onto the Panel. Solon produces simple, short recruitment packs, which provide background information on the Scrutiny Panel and include an application form.

Training sessions are tailor made and delivered at appropriate stages in the project.
We believe that participants learn best by working through ‘real life’ examples. Our sessions focus on practical and accessible examples and aim to create a positive learning environment where we can assess the groups progress and build confidence and understanding.