What is a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO)?

Do you ever think you could do a better job than Hackney 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 Hackney?
How are TMOs set up?
What are some of the pros and cons of having a TMO?
What does Hackney 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.

How do TMOs pay for the work they do?

The TMO gets an allowance (grant) from the Council.

How many TMOs are there in Hackney?

There are ten TMOs in Hackney and Hackney Homes provides them with a range of services. These TMOs manage over 5000 properties run of which over 3600 are tenanted and 1400 are leasehold properties.

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 supported in this process by a dedicated team in Hackney Homes.

What are some of the pros and cons of having a TMO?

Pros

         Cons
  • Residents have more say in running their block or estate.
  • 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.

  • 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.

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What does Hackney Homes do to support TMOs?

We want our TMOs to be successful so we do all that we can to help, for example:
  • arranging training for committee members and staff,
  • having specialist workers in Hackney 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.

How can I find out more?

If you are interested in finding out about other ways of getting involved in the community, please visit our resident involvement area or contact the team on 020 8356 7845 or email getinvolved@hackneyhomes.org.uk