This week City of York Council is asking tenants to complete its annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey which, for the first time, includes tenants of York’s Gypsy and Traveller sites.
The survey will be posted to 2,000 randomly-selected tenant households asking how satisfied they are with their homes, neighbourhoods and a range of landlord services.
This year, tenants of York’s three Gypsy and Traveller sites – a recognised and long-established community of council tenants – are being consulted in line with the council’s Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Strategy launched this May, which includes a commitment to seek their views on tenancy matters.
The independently-run survey is completely confidential and is large enough to give confidence that the results reflect the views of all council tenants.
Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services said: “This survey is one of the many ways in which we listen to tenants to improve the service we offer and it is really important that as many of the tenants who receive a survey, complete it. The responses can be anonymous, but we know everyone has first-hand experience of our services so their feedback will help us monitor our performance, prioritise our budgets and focus our actions – what matters to our tenants, matters to us.”
The survey covers a number of different service areas including repairs and maintenance, contact with customer services and experience of the council’s complaints procedure, as well as gas servicing and safety checks on properties. It also covers satisfaction with local neighbourhoods in areas such as noise, anti-social behaviour, grounds maintenance and community involvement.
In previous surveys, customers said they thought double-glazing was important. As a result, by April 2015, the council aims to have replaced all single glazed timber windows with UPVC double glazed windows, except in conservation areas where secondary double-glazing will be fitted. The survey has also influenced the development of the council’s anti-social behaviour strategy.
Tenants’ feedback will be included in the Tenant and Leaseholder Annual Report and examined by the Tenant Scrutiny Panel, set up a year ago to help champion the interests of local tenants.
Surveys should be returned by Monday 2 December and all returned surveys will go into a prize draw to win a £100 high street voucher. Tenants who have any queries should contact Julie Hood, Equalities and Engagement Facilitator on 01904 554379 or via email by clicking here.