Tenant Engagement

We want all of our tenants to have a say in how their housing is managed and to be able to give input into ways that we can improve the services that we deliver and the area that you live in.

Please find various opportunities for you to get involved below and many more opportunities coming in the future. If you'd like to know more about the opportunities that will be available in the future, take a look at our tenant engagement strategy. 

If you would like to share your ideas of how to improve our housing services or your local neighbourhood please email us at tenant.contact@ashford.gov.uk.

Get Involved in our Housing Services 

Please see the opportunities below to see how you can influence your housing services. 

Rightsizing and Housing for Over 55s

We are carrying out a consultation on:

• Rightsizing - supporting our tenants who may wish to move to a home that better suits their current circumstances
• Housing for residents aged 55 and over - understanding what types of accommodation and support people may need in the future. 

You can participate by completing the short survey using this link. Rightsizing and Housing for Over 55s Survey

Responsive Repairs Policy Consultation Survey

Added 28.08.2026

Ashford Borough Council is reviewing its new Responsive Repairs Policy and would like to hear your views.

The policy explains what repairs the Council and residents are responsible for, how repairs are reported, repair priorities and timescales, and how the service is monitored and improved.

Below, you can find details of how to attend our in-person Have Your Say Day on Friday 11 September, from 10:30am to 2:00pm at the Council Offices, or you can complete our online survey.

Your feedback will help shape the final policy before it is approved. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until Monday 14 September 2026.

To view a copy of the draft Responsive Repairs Policy, please click here. 

Competency and Conduct Standards - Tenant Survey 

We're committed to providing housing services that are professional, respectful, and focused on residents' needs. 

The government is introducing a new Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing, which focuses not only on staff skills and knowledge, but also on how staff communicate, behave and work with residents. Tenants should have a meaningful role in helping to shape these expectations. 

We'd like to hear your views on what professionalism means to you, the behaviours you would like to see from our staff, and our Housing Service Principles. 

This survey is now open. Your feedback will help us improve our services and ensure residents' expectations are at the heart of the way we work, we would be grateful for your response before midnight on the 31st of August 2026. 

Competency and Conduct Standards - Tenant Survey

Have Your Say Day

Topic: Responsive Repairs

Date: Friday 11 September 2026

Time: from 10:30am until 2:00pm

Refreshments: Lunch will be provided

The Have Your Say Day is an opportunity for tenants to provide feedback, review our performance, and make recommendations to help improve our services. This session will focus on Responsive Repairs.

You will hear from members of the service, gain an insight into how repairs are delivered behind the scenes, and have the opportunity to share your experiences, make recommendations, and help shape future improvements. Your feedback will help ensure our services meet the needs of all tenants.

Register your interest by booking your place online or by completing our online form, by calling Kirsty on 01233 330700 or Emily on 07771 976884, or by emailing tenant.contact@ashford.gov.uk. 

Tenant Scrutiny Panel

Our tenant scrutiny panel will work as a group to investigate a specific process and make recommendations for our housing service. Members of the panel will receive training and will attend regular meetings. You’re a great fit for this group if you’re a natural investigator, a good listener and you’ve got an eye for detail.  

For more information, please read our Terms of Reference or Frequently Asked Questions.

Register your interest by: 

• Completing our online form
• Emailing tenant.contact@ashford.gov.uk
• Calling 01233 330573

Tenant Voice Group

Members of the tenant voice provide feedback on proposed changes or specific topics in their own time. The information collected from the Tenant Voice Panel will be used by our officers and scrutiny panel to inform and tailor our services to all the diverse needs of our tenants.

For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Register your interest by:

• Completing our online form
• Emailing tenant.contact@ashford.gov.uk
• Calling 01233 330573

Come and meet us!

Eat Well, Spend Less, Wellbeing Roadshow

The Tenant Engagement team as well as other housing officers regularly take part in Eat Well, Spend Less and Wellbeing Roadshows that are held monthly across the borough. It is a chance for us to meet our tenants and residents and help signpost them for our services. The event also has a variety of other participants involved in healthcare, wellbeing and community support, as well as a foodbank and hygiene products.

The next event is due to be confirmed soon. We will update this webpage when we know more! 

Housing Surgeries 

Our Neighbourhood Housing Officers run a monthly housing surgery for tenants: 

When: The first Wednesday of every month from 9:30am until 11:30am

Where: The Council Offices, International House (Dover Pl, Ashford TN23 1HU) 

They are drop in sessions run on a first come, first serve basis. If you'd like to speak to one of our housing officers face-to-face, come along to our next session: 

Estate Walkabouts

Every fortnight a group of our housing officers and key staff from teams such as repairs go out across the borough to take a look at estates and chat to residents. They will report repairs, fly-tips and rubbish that we are not aware of, any grounds maintenance issues and ensure fire safety compliance amongst many other things.

Visits mostly take place from 10am until midday. You can either choose to join us for part or all of the inspection, or if you prefer you can ask us to knock at your door while we are undertaking our route. 

If you would like to meet us on any of these dates for your area please let us know by completing our Estate Walkabouts online form. If you prefer, you can also let us know via email at tenant.contact@ashford.gov.uk, please let us know at least four days in advance if you'd like to come along. 

If you are unable to make the date we would always love to hear your views about the area that you live in. We are always looking for Estate Mates to be champions of their area, so please get in touch if that sounds like something you would be interested in.