RENT ACCREDITATION AWARD

Tamworth Borough Council has successfully been awarded the Housing Quality Network Accreditation - Maximising Income; Sustaining Tenancies (HQN Accredit: MIST) for the second time, following an intense assessment of the service.

In evaluating Tamworth Borough Council’s service against Housing Quality Network’s accreditation standards, the assessor examined our self-assessment, together with supporting documents and also carried out an online reality check including interviews, focus groups and case reviews. Some of the service highlights were that: l Tamworth has a clear strategic policy and performance framework that reflects best practice. l Our ethos and policy around income management is completely focussed on sustaining tenancies and we looked to avoid legal action unless necessary. l Tamworth has a robust corporate approach to delivering value for money using a range of benchmarking services and demonstrated a robust, smart, action plan including actions specific to the Covid-19 pandemic. l The approach to rent and service charge setting centres on developing an affordable offer to residents, reflected in a clear rent and service charge setting policy. It was recognised that Tamworth was providing a high-quality income service to its customers.

As a team we are very proud to receive the accreditation and are looking forward to working collectively on the small number of service recommendations to ensure services are continually improved. The past two years have been exceptional but with dedicated and committed staff continuing to provide enhanced, tailored support through the pandemic this has clearly been recognised through the assessor’s observations and concluding findings. The Neighbourhoods Income Team is at the forefront of service improvement, and I am delighted that this has been recognised with this national accreditation.

Housing Manager.

Tamworth Borough Council are immensely proud to again receive this prestigious HQN rent accreditation. The accreditation demonstrates the ongoing commitment to delivering quality tenant focused services and honours the exceptional efforts of the council’s income team and its very valued `Tenants Consultative Group`, particularly during these unprecedented times. The accreditation also fully supports the council with its plans for continuous improvement, which is more important than ever given the steep rise in the cost of living and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Head of Neighbourhood Management.