Transfer Housing associations have higher tenant satisfaction rates than councils, but there is little evidence they are more efficient.

That was the finding of Hal Pawson, senior research fellow at Heriot-Watt University, in a study published by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Council of Mortgage Lenders last Friday.

Pawson’s study, which collates research from the National Audit Office and academic sources, and forms part of the UK Housing Review 2004/5, also found 13% of partial transfer ballots had been lost, compared to 26% of full transfer ballots.

But Pawson said there had been little consultation before transfers.