Get involved and have your say in your community

‘Communities On Top’ is the name we give to the range of support we offer to tenants, residents or community groups, in any community where there are council homes. Helping all groups, old and new, small or large, to achieve their aims; helping you and your group to become more independent so that you can achieve your aim (rather than us doing the activity for you).

For anyone thinking about starting a tenants, residents or community group, we’ll offer to:

• put you in touch with other groups who have recently done the same
• share ideas for how you go about finding out the strengths your community already has, and what others in your community would like to see happen
• share examples of useful communication materials, like flyers or social media posts, and give some hints and tips on using social media to connect with residents
• listen - to understand what it is you’d like change to see if we can help

For all existing groups we’re able to:

• support your group to run events or activities, such as galas or action days
• help source (and sometimes fund) training. This could be training about how you work as a team, or learning new knowledge and skills like how to manage money or safe ways to run projects
• as your group grows or carries out more activity, share with you documents that you may need. For example, a model constitution or other policy

Share advice on holding meetings - person to person or online:

• to help you manage your money and apply for funding:
  • offer a free annual accounts check by West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service, who can also train and support you if needed
  • share and support you to apply for funding using Funding Leeds
• give an ‘annual support grant’ to help with running costs (like a Zoom licence, or Public Liability Insurance), if you have no funds
• help you with printing your publicity materials
• support with digital skills, with the help of the 100% Digital Leeds team

For all existing groups we’re able to:

• link you to others - like local councillors, other council services - anyone that may be able to help
• assist with promoting your group by texts or social media
• help to connect you with residents, sharing your ideas and asking for feedback using the Housing Leeds Feedback website
• help you to share and publicise your successes
• signpost TPAS, who are the Tenant Engagement Experts, helping you access their free resources

If your group:

• has public meetings, we’d welcome an invite and will try to attend or give feedback on any queries. We will also try and stay in touch with you and share local updates
• has its own social media, we can follow you and help share information you post

We can give help and advice to new and existing tenants, residents and community groups through our Communities On Top service offer.

For more information on how our Tenant Engagement Team may be able to support your group you can email housinginvolvement@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 3330.  

Tenants, residents and community groups can also get support and funding from:  

Funding Leeds lists hundreds of funding sources and how to bid for them.  

Doing Good Leeds provides advice and support with running a voluntary or community organisation.  

West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service is a not-for-profit that can help community organisations manage their finances.  

Tpas works with tenant groups and landlords across England to improve tenant involvement.  

Regular estate walkabouts take place across Leeds. These give tenants the opportunity to walk a set route around their local area with a housing officer to spot problems and suggest improvements.

To take part in an estate walkabout, let your local housing office know you would like to attend, and simply turn up on the day.

Housing law in England gives council tenants and leaseholders the right to manage some council housing services where they live. They can then make decisions about how to spend money and run the local services that most affect them, such as repairs, looking after open spaces, and estate cleaning.

If you and your neighbours are interested in managing your estate or would like to speak to someone about the options available, please email housinginvolvement@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 3330.

You can also read the government guidance about the Right to Manage on GOV.UK.

The Tenant Scrutiny Board reviews the services offered to Housing Leeds tenants in order to identify where they aren’t meeting tenant’s needs or service standards. The Board then makes recommendations to services to improve the way they are delivered.  

View the Tenant Scrutiny Board’s previous and upcoming agendas, reports and minutes.

How to get involved

Any tenant can express an interest in becoming a member of the Tenant Scrutiny Board. Members are expected to:  

• attend training sessions when necessary
• work independently and as part of a team
• understand and analyse complex reports and information
• prepare for meetings and read paperwork to fully understand the issues under review
• take part in meeting discussions, expressing views clearly and objectively

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board, contact us on 0113 378 3330.  

The Tenant Voice Panel (TVP) is an opportunity to help us improve the services that we deliver. Following a report by our volunteer Tenant Scrutiny Board, the TVP has been set up to:  

• consult with tenants and residents on services, policies, and initiatives
• hold Housing Leeds to account on performance and service delivery
• make sure that all engagement activity contributes to improved services
• give a tenant’s perspective on how we communicate

How to get involved

The panel is open to all tenants and leaseholders from across the city. Joining the panel will give you the opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills, and talk about subjects that are important to you and your local community.  

What is involved

You’ll get to work with us in a way that suits you. You can get involved in as much or as little as you choose, by taking part in:  

• online or face to face workshops and activities
• short online activities in your own time such as questionnaires or surveys

When you join the panel, we’ll invite you to an induction session where you can meet the team and ask any questions.  

Join the panel

To join the panel, please complete this short online application form.  

Join the Tenant Voice Panel

Contact us

If you would like to speak to someone about the TVP please email housinginvolvement@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 3330.  

Each area has a dedicated Tenant Engagement Officer. Their role is to support individuals and groups who want to make a difference in their community.  

They can help by:  

• supporting activities
• finding or funding any relevant training
• offering guidance on setting up and maintaining a successful group

Contact us

Find your local Tenant Engagement Officer on Facebook:  

• Katie - Adel and Wharfedale, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, Gipton and Harehills, Guiseley and Rawdon, Horsforth, Otley and Yeadon
• Bryan - Alwoodley, Chapel Allerton, Crossgates and Whinmoor, Harewood, Moortown, Roundhay, Wetherby
• Amena - Headingley and Hyde Park, Kirkstall, Little London and Woodhouse, Weetwood
• Andy - Beeston and Holbeck, Hunslet and Riverside, Middleton Park, Morley North, Morley South
• Rukhsana - Armley, Bramley and Stanningley, Calverley and Farsley, Farnley and Wortley, Pudsey
• Louise - Ardsley and Robin Hood, Garforth and Swillington, Killingbeck and Seacroft, Kippax and Methley, Rothwell, Temple Newsam

Phone

Email