Dacorum Tenants Take Centre Stage at National Event

Michelle, Chair of Dacorum's Tenant and Leaseholder Engagement Group, and Kuria, Vice-Chair, recently attended the TPAS National Tenants Conference 2026 in Nottingham, where they joined tenants and housing organisations from across the country to share ideas and learn from best practice.

One of the biggest messages from the event was the importance of looking beyond headline satisfaction scores. Delegates highlighted that landlords should not only ask tenants whether they feel safe in their homes, but also understand why they may feel unsafe, helping organisations focus on the issues that matter most. The conference also reinforced the importance of putting tenants at the heart of decision-making. Examples were shared of residents helping to shape services, influence strategic priorities and even take part in recruitment. A phrase heard throughout the event was: "Nothing for us, without us."

Michelle attended sessions on effective chairing and tenant leadership, which highlighted the importance of creating welcoming meetings where everyone has the chance to contribute. The message was clear: strong tenant groups succeed when everyone works together and enjoys being involved. Another key theme was challenging the stigma sometimes associated with social housing. Delegates encouraged organisations to celebrate council housing, focus on people rather than processes, and promote the positive stories of the communities they serve.

The conference also showcased innovative projects from across the country, including youth engagement programmes, neighbourhood improvements and digital tools that help tenants access support. The ideas and learning gathered will help Dacorum continue to strengthen tenant engagement and ensure residents have a meaningful voice in shaping services.

And it wasn't all work. Kuria also brought a little star quality to the conference, taking to the karaoke stage and entertaining delegates with not one, but two songs! The conference was a valuable experience for both Michelle and Kuria, who returned with fresh ideas, new connections and plenty of inspiration for the future.