Styles House residents set up tenant management organisation

The new tenant management organisation (TMO) took over repairs, budgets and services at Styles House on The Cut last week after residents were balloted on the proposal last year.

There are 56 homes in the two buildings at Styles House, with 36 council tenants and 20 leaseholders.

Under the new arrangements, repairs, budgets and services will be managed by board of residents rather than the council.

Residents have worked together to set up the TMO, recruiting two part-time staff and working with Southwark Council to build a new office.

Last Monday's launch event was attended by Simon Hughes MP and local councillors Adele Morris and David Noakes, as well as representatives of the council's ruling Labour administration.

"We actively encourage and support self-management in housing and have seen some great success stories such as Willowbrook in the south of the borough and Leathermarket JMB in the north," said Cllr Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for housing management.

"Helping residents to take control of the services that directly affect their lives and to focus on the priorities for their individual estate can create a strong sense of satisfaction and assist the council in directing services to where they are needed."

Styles House is the 13th tenant management organisation in the borough.

The TMO is keen to see an improvement in cleaning and the repairs service offered to residents. There will also be free classes on offer, led by residents in the block, with a yoga class starting this week.

Last autumn Styles House was in the news after proposals to sell part of the site to property developers were accidentally published on the council's website.