How to get involved
Are you passionate about your home and want to make things happen in your neighbourhood?
We are always looking at how we can improve our Council Housing Services.
Tenant participation is vital in our Tenant Involvement Strategy.
Our tenants' panel has been set up to give council tenants their say and ensure we are accountable for the decisions we make.
Functions of the tenants' panel include:
- help with estate inspections
- fire safety checks
- reviewing literature, we create before it goes out to the public
- training courses
- online surveys
- monthly tenants panel meetings
- contributing to our Housing Connect Magazine
Tenant Involvement Strategy
This sets out how Darlington Borough Council will continue to involve and empower our tenants.
We will ensure that they continue to be at the heart of everything that we do.
It also sets out how we will explore new ways to engage with tenants and ensure that no one is left out.
Our strategy will help us to strengthen and expand opportunities for our tenants.
Our aim is to make a positive difference to our services and future direction.
We have highlighted our priorities which include:
- providing the right information
- supporting tenants to make their voices heard
- making decisions with our tenants
- maximising scrutiny and accountability
find out more in our Tenant Involvement Strategy [pdf document]
Visit our Facebook page designed for council tenants, and potential tenants, it will include news, competitions and property adverts.Darlington Borough Council housing Facebook page [external link]
Ways to get involved
Our Tenants' Panel aims to represent and promote tenant involvement, and to make sure that this is central to the delivery of all housing services. Regular meetings are held to discuss a range of issue within the community as well as reviewing current housing policies.
In 2024 we introduced our Online Tenants Panel enabling Tenants to get involved from the comfort of their own home, making the panel accessible and inclusive.
Find out more information about our tenant's panel.
Mystery Shopping helps us test and monitor the quality of our service.
Over the last year we have reintroduce mystery shopping with reviews been undertaken by our Tenants Panel.
These have included:
- Reviews on our Housing Contact Team
- Reviews on our Extra Care Scheme Catering Service
In 2025 we plan to continue Mystery Shopping throughout the Housing Services and we need your help.
If you are interested in taking part in our mystery shopping please email [email protected] or call 01325 405333.
Your Council needs you, we need your views on what we are doing right.
Please tell us how we can improve our services