Representatives of the National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations (NFTMO) met with their counterparts from Tenants and Residents of England (TAROE) and Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) to explore how the three national tenants' organisations might work together to represent tenants on issues of common concern.
The NFTMO, TAROE and CCH are the only national tenants' organisations recognised by the Government. The NFTMO is firmly committed to remaining independent and its focus on tenant control, but it is clear there are some big issues on which tenants' interests will be best served if the three national organisations join forces.
Over the last few years, the NFTMO has been developing a closer working relationship with CCH to good effect. The added involvement of TAROE in joint initiatives would strengthen the tenants' voice in discussions with government and housing agencies.
Three tenant management organisations (TMOs) become the first in the country to be awarded the NFTMO Good Governance Kite Mark.
Belle Isle TMO from Leeds, Friday Hill TMO from East London, and Burrowes Street TMO from Walsall have gained the Kite Mark following a process of self evaluation, action planning and external assessment. All TMOs are now being encouraged to seek the Kite Mark as evidence of good practice.
The Kite Mark is based on a set of agreed standards for different aspects of governance including the effectiveness and accountability of the committee, management of staff, training arrangements, financial management and mechanisms for involving tenants.
The Kite Mark process has been kept manageable so as not to overwhelm smaller TMOs. It has been independently checked and approved by HouseMark.