Housing Ballots, Elections and Surveys
Electoral Reform Services (ERS) can help ensure that the wishes of ordinary residents are respected both in the creation of independent housing organisations such as Housing Associations, and their subsequent management.
When a local authority wants to transfer their stock of council housing to an independent housing organisation, ERS administers a transfer ballot in which all tenants are given the chance to vote for or against the change of ownership. Housing transfer ballots differ according to the size of the transfer and the type of independent organisation that the housing stock is being handed over to. The most frequent are:
- Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (LSVT) ballots
- Small Scale Voluntary Transfer (SSVT) ballots
- Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) ballots
ERS has unparalleled experience of every type of transfer ballot, and can offer housing authorities expert guidance on their individual technicalities.
If the change of ownership is approved, and an independent housing organisation is created, ERS can then administer the regular election of tenant representatives onto its board so it remains accountable to its residents. These are usually called Tenant Board Member elections. If the residents of the independent housing organisation are leaseholders, they will hold Leaseholder Board Member elections but the process is the same.
Between elections, ERS Research can conduct STATUS surveys and general tenant questionnaires to find out exactly what tenants want and need, and how they feel about existing service provision.
It is vital that ordinary residents feel that they can participate in housing elections. Using ERS from the start of the nominations process makes a public statement that the election will be fair and impartial, open to all tenants or leaseholders, and professionally run by an independent organisation. We make voting more accessible and convenient for residents by offering all housing organisations a choice of voting methods (post, internet, telephone, text or any combination of these options). ERS can also design, build and manage a publicity website to support the election process and provide further information for residents online. Our Membership Engagement Services subsidiary can also get involved, providing impartial advice on election communications and candidate training.
ERS has also managed a large number of ballots for tenant-led organisations such as Tenant Management Organisations (TMOs) and Estate Management Boards (EMBs). We are experienced in managing ballots throughout the process, as required by the statutory legislation. These ballots vary from initial feasibility to development and subsequent continuation of the organisation.
Handing over the management of a housing election or ballot to Electoral Reform Services also brings considerable benefits to the housing organisation itself. It avoids the disruption of having to administer an election and minimises the risk of employees becoming embroiled in any controversial electoral decision that could later lead to accusations from residents that they took sides. Above all, the housing organisation can receive expert advice from the ERS project team that has experience of literally hundreds of similar housing ballots and elections, and which can guide them through every step of the process.
