Tenants Information Service (TIS), in partnership with the Scottish Government, has launched a major new research project to explore the current ‘State of Play’ of tenant participation in Scotland’s social housing sector.
The research comes as Scotland marks 25 years since the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, which created a formal legal framework for tenant participation, giving tenants’ rights to be informed, consulted and involved in decisions affecting their homes and services, and placing duties on landlords to support and embed participation. Since then, the introduction of the Scottish Social Housing Charter and tenant‑led scrutiny has further strengthened these expectations.
However, the context in which tenant participation operates has changed significantly. The COVID‑19 pandemic reshaped how people communicate and engage, accelerating the use of digital tools while also highlighting issues of digital exclusion. At the same time, rising financial pressures, stretched resources, national housing challenges, and changing tenant expectations have altered what effective participation looks like in practice.
This new research aims to take stock of where tenant participation is today, understand how it is currently delivered and experienced, and consider what it needs to look like going forward. The project will explore how participation is structured and resourced, what methods are being used, what impact these approaches have, and how inclusive and accessible opportunities to get involved are for different tenants and communities.
The research will include:
- National surveys for both social landlords and tenants, to build a broad picture of current practice and experience
- Workshops bringing together tenants, housing staff and board members to explore lived experiences, challenges and opportunities in more depth
- Case studies highlighting innovation, good practice, and lessons learned from across Scotland
- A review of existing research, policy, and sector evidence to inform and contextualise the findings
Together, these elements will provide a rounded, evidence‑based understanding of tenant participation in Scotland today and help shape practical, grounded recommendations for the future.
Sharon Donohoe, Interim CEO at TIS, said:
“Tenant participation has matured over the last 25 years, but the world around it has changed. This research gives us an important opportunity to pause, reflect, and listen – to tenants, landlords, and the wider sector – about what’s working, what feels challenging, and what tenant participation needs to be in the years ahead.”
TIS is keen to involve a wide range of voices from across the sector. The surveys are live and will be followed by a programme of workshops over the summer, with opportunities for tenants, housing organisations and stakeholders to take part throughout the project.
The findings will be used to inform future discussion and learning across the sector, including recommendations for how tenant participation can continue to develop in a changing environment.
How to take part
We will be running a series of workshop for tenants and housing colleagues over the summer. More information coming soon.