Picture of Mulready House, Millbank EstateDo you ever think you could do a better job than CityWest Homes at managing your home? If so, becoming a tenant management organisation (TMO) could be for you.
 
In 1994, the law changed to give Council tenants the 'Right to Manage' their own homes by setting up a TMO.
 
Here, the term 'tenant' means both secure council tenants and lessees.
 
 
What are TMOs?
What services do TMOs provide?
How do TMOs pay for the work they do?
How many TMOs are there in Westminster?
How are TMOs set up?
What are some of the pros and cons of having a TMO?
What does CityWest Homes do to support TMOs?
How can I find out more?
 

What are TMOs?

TMOs manage homes on behalf of the Council.
 
Each one is an independent organisation which is run by a committee of residents. These residents are elected to the committee by their neighbours to represent their views and manage the services the TMO takes on.
 
TMO tenants are still tenants of the Council.
 

What services do TMOs provide?

Each TMO chooses the services it wants to take on - some manage the caretaking and basic repairs service, others do this but also external decorations and major works. The services each TMO does can also change over time as new ones are taken on or handed back to the Council.
 
The committee do not usually do the work themselves - they employ staff and contractors to do it.
 
Back to top

How do TMOs pay for the work they do?

The TMO gets an allowance (grant) from the Council. Most TMOs do not spend all their allowance, and the money saved - their surplus - can be used to carry out improvements or organise activities for people.
 
Back to top
 
How many TMOs are there in Westminster?
 
We have 14 and one more being developed at the moment. Our TMOs manage nearly 3000 homes.
 
Our largest is the Grosvenor & Regency Management Organisation,  which manages nearly 870 homes in SW1. They provide a large range of services including repairs, major works, rent arrears management and controlling anti-social behaviour. Through fundraising and using their surplus, they have renewed playgrounds, brought old buildings back into use and expanded the hall.
 
Our smallest is the Little Venice Co-op which manages just over 60 homes. They do the caretaking, gardening and some block repairs. They have used their surplus to upgrade the door entry system, improve the grounds and help upgrade the windows.
 
Back to top
 
How are TMOs set up?
 
Usually residents of a block or estate come together and look at the options for taking over services themselves.
 
If they decide a TMO is the best option for them they normally follow a three stage process:
  • Promotion
  • Feasibility
  • Development
They are helped in this process by a company that helps people setting up TMOs.
 
Find out more here.
 
Back to top
 
What are some of the pros and cons of having a TMO?
 
Pros
Cons
  • Residents have more say in running their block or estate.
  • Services are often run more cheaply than we can run them.
  • Surplus is reinvested in the block or the estate.
  • You have a manager on site to keep an eye on things for you.
  • TMOs often organise lots of community events for residents.
  • Committee members often learn new skills and get to know their neighbours better.
  • You can often make decisions about your estate very quickly.
  • Committee members are directly responsible for the services the TMO provides.
  • Committee members have legal responsibilities for things like employment and health and safety.
  • It often takes a long time to develop a TMO.
  • It can be time consuming for committee members if things start to go wrong.
  • Poor relationships between committee members or with staff can be stressful.
Back to top

What does CityWest Homes do to support TMOs?

We want our TMOs to be successful so we do all that we can to help, for example:
  • arranging top quality training for committee members and staff, usually as part of the In the Driving Seat programme
  • having specialist workers in CityWest Homes to give advice and support
  • letting TMOs know when they are doing well or not so well
  • organising forums for TMO managers, and committee members. The forums allow us to share experiences, exchange information and consult on our plans and policies.

Back to top

How can I find out more?

If you are interested in finding out about other ways of getting involved in the community, please see our resident involvement booklet, or contact us, as above.

Back to top