Community landlord takes control of homes

Residents from tenant managed homes on Ethelred, Magdalen and Thirland estates in Lambeth have chosen Walsall-based WATMOS Community Homes to take ownership of their homes from the council.

WATMOS will not pay for the homes but has previously said it will borrow £24 million to improve the living conditions on the estates.

The tenant management organisation said it was planning on setting up a board made up entirely of Lambeth residents which would work with the Walsall one.

A central services office will also be set up in the new year – when WATMOS expects to take full control of the homes.

Ursula Barrington, chief executive of WATMOS, said: ‘This is the outcome that both residents and staff have been working towards for the last 12 months. 

‘This is an amazing opportunity to work with the residents in Lambeth, to ensure their homes meet the decent homes standard and to empower them to be involved in the decision making process. 

‘Our goal is to increase community engagement, place greater emphasis on the importance of resident participation and in turn create stronger, stable communities in environments that people wish to live.’

Michelle Reid, chief executive of TPAS, said: ‘Congratulations to all involved in this historic initiative. Tenant Management Organisations demonstrate the ultimate expression of tenant empowerment and involvement and I’m delighted that the transfer is taking place.

‘This will also be a fitting tribute to the late and much-missed Terry Edis, who together with tenants and staff of both organisations worked so tirelessly to create this new way forward.’

WATMOS Community Homes was set up by a group of tenants in 2003, following the transfer of their homes from Walsall Borough Council. 

Residents are involved at a ground roots level on a daily basis, managing their estates and running their housing management and maintenance services along with resident involvement activities.