INFORMATION GUIDES

InSTEP provides a number of information guides to help you, which cover all sorts of subjects relating to tenant participation.

To download your free copy now just click on the title

Allocations and Lettings
Explains how social housing is allocated, looking at traditional “allocation systems” and the newer “choice-based” lettings systems.

An Introduction to Local Authority Housing Finance
Explains how local authorities with housing stock account for their spending and income.

Anti Social Behaviour 
This guide looks at ways of tackling and preventing anti social behaviour as well as Government initiatives and new laws.

Being a Representative 
Explores the different roles representatives play, what’s involved in being a good rep and some common pitfalls to avoid.

Campaigning
Explain s the purpose of campaigning, how you can have a valuable effect on the community building and some of the common pitfalls to avoid.

Cave Review
This is a summary of what the Cave Review says and Government’s initial reaction to it.

Codes of Conduct for Tenants' and Resident's Groups 
Explains what a code of conduct is, why tenants’ and residents’ groups should have one and what the code of conduct should contain.

Community Newsletters
This guide looks at the reason to use newsletters, how to create a successful newsletter and common problems.

The Credit Crunch
This information guide explains what the “credit crunch” means and what is being done about it. As well as looking at how it could affect tenants and how tenants are protected.

Energy Efficiency
Explains why we should use energy efficiently, showing how we can save money, help preserve the environment and keep our homes healthy.

Equality and Diversity - A Guide for Tenants' Associations
Looks at the main strands to equality and diversity, what equality of opportunity means in practice and the steps that tenants’ associations should take to ensure everyone in their community is able to participate and feel included.

Focus Groups
This guide looks at what focus groups are, what they are best used for and how to set up and run a focus group.

Fundraising  
This guide is designed to help you raise money and gives advice on where to get help, planning how to raise money, including tips on applying for funding and money making suggestions.

Hills Report
This is a summary of the Hills Report, it outlines the main findings and recommendations of the report.

Improving Housing Services
Explains the Government’s approach to improving housing services, who is responsible for overseeing housing services performance and how tenants can get involved.

Landlords Guide to Supporting Tenants Back to Work 
This guide explores what evidence there is about ‘discouragement’ among social renting tenants and why should social housing providers should help tenants return to work. It also looks at examples of good practice are there and where can you find further information on funding.

Setting up a Tenants and Residents Association 
Explains what a tenants’ and residents’ association is, what it can achieve and how to go about setting one up.

Taking Control of Local Services: For Tenants and Leaseholders of Councils Residents can work together to take control of some of their local housing services. Council tenants have a legal right to take this control, called the ‘Right to Manage’. Recent changes have made it easier and quicker to use this right. There is also a new ‘starter’ route with a fast track for tenants to control a limited number of services. This information guide explains how these choices work for tenants of local authorities (councils).

Tenant Compacts 
This information guide explains the background to tenant compacts and what a typical compact might contain. It looks at the issues that sometimes arise with compacts and the latest developments in best practice.

Tenant Involvement and Participation
This guide looks at the background of tenant   involvement, what it is, the benefits of involving tenants and the different opportunities for tenants to participate and get involved.

Tenants on Housing Association Boards  
This guide explains what housing association boards do and the role that tenants can play as members.

Tenants' Reading Panel  
Explains what a reading panel does and why its work is important.

Who is My Landlord 
This guide aims to explain the differences between the various types of social landlords, who regulates them and, if the need arises, who to complain to.