Tenant Involvement

Association of West Kent Tenants and Residents

The Association of West Kent Tenants and Residents (AWKTR) is made up of Tenant Representatives and exists as a vehicle for consultation and to help tenants and residents. AWKTR was formed in 1997 to promote and encourage Tenant Involvement.

 

What is a Tenant Representative?

Tenant Representatives are volunteers who represent the views of tenants in their area, they are not spies!

 

What can Tenant Representatives help with?

• If you have a problem with the service provided to you by West Kent, your Tenant Rep can liaise with West Kent on your behalf but they are not there to report general repairs and maintenance issues.
• If you have a problem in the area where you live, your Tenant Rep may be able to help you. They can give you advice; tell you who you need to contact or contact the relevant agency/person on your behalf.
• Tenant Reps can also take your views, suggestions and any ongoing problems direct to West Kent’s Executive Team via TCC (Tenants Consultative Committee).
• AWKTR may be able to fund additional security measures to your property via the Security Budget.

 

What else do Tenant Representatives do?

• Consult with tenants and residents in their neighbourhood about various issues.
• Attend TCC (Tenants Consultative Committee) to raise issues and be consulted on changes to West Kent’s services and policies.
• Join their Neighbourhood Housing Office on Estate Walkabouts to highlight any issues and meet other residents.
• Attend training sessions on different areas of West Kent’s work and issues such as Community Safety so they can better advise tenants and residents.
• Support Community Development activities as and when they can, such as helping with the subsidised summer trips and free play days and the Got Talent shows. In fact a group of Tenant Reps have formed a singing group called ‘T Reps’ and are performing at charity events and nursing homes. AWKTR also organise a charity golf day each year.
• Some Tenant Reps take part in recruitment of staff and also contractor reviews and appointments.
• Many Tenant Reps also get involved with other resident involvement activities at West Kent.

 

Find out who your Tenant Representative is by contacting the Resident Involvement Manager on 01732 749908:

 

What is TCC?

TCC is the Tenants Consultative Committee. It is made up of over 20 Tenant Reps from different areas. TCC has five evening meetings a year plus an annual strategy day. TCC is a forum where Tenant Reps can raise issues from their areas with West Kent staff and be consulted on changes and developments at West Kent. Any tenant can request a copy of the minutes from TCC.

 

For further information, please contact us on 01732 749420 or by email to getinvolved@wkha.org.uk  

 

AWKTR Tenant Rep Surgeries: Sevenoaks and Swanley receptions

A Tenant Representative will be available on the following dates at both Sevenoaks and Swanley offices. Just call in and ask at Reception

Monday 18 January            10 - 12

Monday 15 February           10 - 12

Monday 15 March               10 - 12

 

Interested in becoming a Tenant Rep?

The role of Tenant Representative is highly regarded by West Kent. However, we do recognise that Tenant Reps are volunteers should feel able to do as much or as little. Tenant Reps will be given training, support and expenses to ensure they can carry out their role effectively. Any tenant can apply to become a Tenant Rep as long as they are not currently in dispute with West Kent, e.g. in breach of their tenancy conditions or in rent arrears and not keeping to repayment agreement. Once an application is received, the applicant will be invited to an informal chat with the Resident Involvement Manager and the Chair or Vice-Chair of AWKTR. Following this, the applicant will need to undergo an enhanced CRB check before being approved. New Tenant Reps will be mentored by a more experienced Tenant Rep to provide encouragement, support and make sure they are working as effectively as possible.

 

A Tenant Rep must be willing to:

• Be contacted by other tenants in the area.
• Attend training sessions as required
• Attend the TCC meetings and the annual strategy day
• Act as a mentor to new Tenant Reps

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Complete a Tenant Representative Application Form and/or call the Resident Involvement Manager for an informal chat. We do have a limited number of places for Tenant Reps in certain areas. If you are interested in becoming a Tenant Rep but there are currently no places, you could become a Neighbourhood Representative.

 

Neighbourhood Representatives (Reps)

Neighbourhood Reps do almost everything that a Tenant Rep does apart from attending TCC meetings. Neighbourhood Reps can pass any local issues into their Tenant Rep to take to TCC. We are currently looking to recruit Neighbourhood Reps in all areas.

 

Community Representatives

If you are not a tenant but want to get involved with AWKTR and represent your community, you could become a Community Representative. 

 

To find out more, or if you have any problems with your Tenant or Neighbourhood Rep, contact the Resident Involvement Manager on 01732 749908 or email getinvolved@wkha.org.uk