Tenant management organisation launched in Tooley Street

Cllr Beverley Bassom (right), Southwark Council's Executive Member for Housing, joins representatives from the Fair Community Housing Service (FCHS)

The latest agreement, signed on Tuesday 10 February between Southwark Council and Fair Community Housing Service (FCHS), brings the total number of properties that are self-managed in Southwark to 5000.

The council first handed over the management of 557 properties in the Tower Bridge area to FCHS back in August 2003, but this event marked the official signing of the agreement.

Self-management allows organisations like FCHS to take control of estate management services such as housing repairs and estate cleaning, and the options available to resident groups range from small scale management of just one service to taking control of all of them. They are assisted in the process by funding from central government.

Cllr Beverley Bassom, Southwark Council's Executive Member for Housing, said: "We are very proud of our record in supporting self-management across Southwark's housing estates. There are now fifteen Tenant Management Organisations in the borough, and a further four tenant management projects – accounting for 3600 properties – are currently exploring their self-management options."

Christopher Baggot, Chair of Fair Community Housing Services, added: "Residents are usually more aware of what facilities and services are needed. Its about empowering people to be more in control and to be able to decide what changes and improvements they require to better the quality of life for the area in which they live. I firmly believe that to exercise our right to manage was the best way forward for our estates, with residents working with their own estate-based housing staff to provide improved services and a better living environment."

• Residents have a legal right to exercise self-management. Groups of residents who would like to find out more can contact Southwark Council on 020 7525 1207.