Just 11 per cent of the 10,000 tenants in 30 local authority areas interviewed felt getting more involved in the management of their homes was their top priority.
The clear majority felt repairs and maintenance was much more important, followed by value for money and overall quality.
Researchers quizzed the tenants on behalf of the Housing Corporation on a wide range of topics in order to collate their socio-demographic data, finances, household profile and aspirations.
The corporation hopes the information, funded by an Innovation and Good Practice grant, will prove invaluable to housing associations and their forward planning.
Tenants generally appear to be happy with housing associations, believing them to be good value for money and good at keeping them informed (see box). Most are already satisfied with participation measures in place.
Sixty five per cent said their landlord took their views into account, and 54 per cent were satisfied with the opportunities to get involved. A third gave a "neutral response".
A 39 per cent majority rejected getting more involved in the way their association was run. Black and minority ethnic households were particularly "less positive", MORI said. The most common reasons for not getting involved are not enough time, a lack of interest and other commitments.
However, the Tenant Participation Advisory Service claimed the fact that 31 per cent did want to get more involved showed a "real unmet demand" in the sector.
Policy officer Paul Schofield said: "If you told a tenant participation officer that one third of all their tenants want to get more involved they'd jump through hoops with joy."
The findings, to be officially published in September, appear to endorse housing minister Nick Raynsford's attempts to increase choice in the sector. Although they are happy renting with a housing association, many tenants aspire to bigger properties in better areas.
Source
Housing Today
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