Tenant activists team up with council to consult priv...

Tenant activist group Generation Rent is working with a council on a new consultation process - with a chance to win Tesco vouchers for those taking part.

A statement from Dundee council says it wants to hear “the stories of all private renters” in one ward “so we can gain a better understanding of the challenges people have been facing.”

The first part of the exercise is an online survey while later in the year there will be forums and focus groups.

“By launching this consultation, we want to give you, private renters, the opportunity to share your experiences and learn more about your rights as private renters. Your experience, good or bad, will be part of our programme of work to improve homes in your area” says the council.

Tesco vouchers worth a total of £300 are offered as prizes for some participants.

The council claims to already have “wide-ranging, comprehensive engagement with private landlords and letting agents across the city” but no such relationship with tenants.

Funding for the exercise comes from the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust which states on its website that “our values are rooted in the liberalism and Quakerism of our founder Joseph Rowntree” with objectives “to bring about significant changes in the political system, making it more accountable, democratic and transparent and to rebalance power for the well-being of society.”

The funding extends to similar projects with a small number of other local authorities in the UK.

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