Getting Involved

Be a key part of SBHA’s Tenant Participation.  The Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation (SBTO) is a constituted group made up of SBHA Tenants.  Our remit is to seek, represent and take forward Tenants' views in relation to SBHA's Policies and to ensure that Tenants get the best possible housing services. See more below.

The Board of Management reviews overall performance and decides SBHA’s strategic direction, budgets, plans and policies. There are two main Sub-Committees – Audit & Compliance Sub Committee who provide detailed assurance on compliance and risk – and The Customer Board – who review customer experience, service development and policy.

A Chair’s Group is available for urgent decisions and the Remuneration and Nominations Sub Committee meets a minimum of once a year. Office bearer posts of the Chair of the Board and Convenor of the Audit & Compliance Sub-Committee are remunerated. Find out more about the Board here.

All Board and Sub-committee members must be shareholders - for an Application form for Shareholding Membership please click here. Membership costs £1.

If you are interested in improving your local community or neighbourhood how about setting up your own group? Contact our Tenant and Community Engagement Facilitator to find out about how we can work with you to establish a local group.

Useful info about Registered Tenant Organisations

Why would I set up a group?

Registered Tenant Organisations (RTOs) are set up when tenants and/or residents want to get more involved in managing their homes and influencing decisions made about the neighbourhood and area in which they live.

By forming a Registered Tenant Organisation, individuals who have similar concerns, experiences or ideas can share information and support each other. Groups can have more impact and success than individuals on their own.

An RTO represents a geographical area described in its constitution and addresses issues ranging from housing and the environment, to meeting the social and economic needs of the community.

Setting up a Group in your community could help to improve relations with different organisations i.e. your Landlord, local Council, Police, Wardens etc.

How do I go about setting up a group?

Talk to your neighbours and find out their opinions and views, you will probably have a clear idea of why a Group may be needed in your area. Talk to as many people in your neighbourhood and area as you can. You may even carry out a small survey.  If you find support for your idea, then get together with the people who are most interested.

Find a suitable place to hold a meeting, it could be someone’s home, a room in a community centre, school, church hall, sheltered housing scheme, room in your local pub, as long as it is easy for people to get to.  Also try and arrange a suitable place with disability access.  You could advertise this in your local shop or community area and it may attract others.

What tips are there for holding a meeting?

• Be clear about what you want to achieve at the meeting, be friendly, welcoming and introduce people.
• Ensure that the meeting keeps to the point and is kept in order.
• Ensure accurate notes are taken of the main points discussed and of any decisions made.
• Ensure that the notes taken are circulated in the form of minutes to all the people who attended prior to the next meeting.
• Keep a record of all the people who attended the meeting.
• Try to encourage people to form a committee.

Can I get support from SBHA?

Our Tenant Engagement and Communications Team can work with you to establish a local group.  Click here to send an email - communications@sbha.org.uk

If you would like to take part in an estate walkabout in your area then you can arrange to meet with your Neighbourhood Housing Officer or Property Officer.  The purpose of the walkabouts is to look at the overall appearance of the estate including communal areas and open spaces. Click here to find contact your community team and find out when they are planning their next walkabout.

We invite Tenants to participate as a “Representative” for their street or area if SBHA is carrying out home improvement works.  This allows SBHA Staff and their Contractors to work together during the works being carried out to ensure that Tenants receive a good quality standard of service.

Happy with a service received? Or perhaps not? Please let us know – your opinions and feedback are important to us to help us ensure our services meet your needs.

You can give us your feedback here - Your feedback - compliments and complaints 

We also issue text, online, and paper surveys on your interactions with us and views on specific topics as well as offering opportunities take part in a focus group, looking in detail at a specific service area. To get in touch and find out more, please contact us at communications@sbha.org.uk or call 0800 0193 222.

Mystery shopping is when a company checks its sales, service, or compliance by having a researcher act as a customer and report their experience. Mystery shoppers mimic typical customer behaviours to assess standards. SBHA uses mystery shopping during Scrutiny projects where we review specific service areas to identify possible areas for improvement to increase tenant satisfaction. Mystery shopping can be carried out in-person, over the telephone, or online to gather information about customer service and the customer experience.

Organised to give you the opportunity to meet with the SBHA Team, SBTO members and other partner agencies on an informal basis, get advice on housing services and other community services to help and support living in your home and within the community.

Help to design and create our quarterly Tenant Newsletter.