With just one week to go until the TPAS Scotland Annual Conference 2026, speakers and delegates are preparing to explore this year’s theme: “Reimagining Tenant Participation Across Scotland.”

Tenant participation has changed significantly over the past decade, raising an important question for Scotland’s housing sector: “What does good tenant participation look like today and what must it become in the future?”

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 established tenants’ right to participate in decisions affecting their homes and communities. Subsequent legislation strengthened the role of tenants in scrutinising their landlords’ performance and helping to improve housing services.

When the 2001 Act came into force, more than 700 tenants’ groups were active across Scotland. That number has since fallen substantially.

Some groups were established to address a specific issue, such as securing new kitchens, and disbanded once their objective had been achieved. Others developed broader agendas and remain active today, while some evolved into formal tenant scrutiny groups.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought further change. Many tenants embraced digital engagement through platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, while others were unable or unwilling to participate online. These experiences highlighted both the potential of technology and the risk of excluding people who face digital, practical or personal barriers.

Tenant participation remains firmly embedded in Scotland’s housing legislation, but the methods used to involve tenants must continue to evolve.

The conference will consider how landlords and tenant organisations can develop new ways of involving people both collectively and individually, ensuring that tenants remain at the heart of housing organisations and the decisions they make.

This includes reaching and supporting people who may be underrepresented in traditional participation structures, including New Scots, people from different cultural backgrounds, younger tenants and those who require additional support to become involved.

Among the conference speakers will be Michael Boal, Social Housing Team Leader at the Scottish Government, who will examine how approaches to tenant participation have developed, including changes leading up to the introduction of the Scottish Social Housing Charter in 2012. He will also consider how technology is influencing the future of tenant engagement.

Nicelle Gill, policy manager at the Scottish Government, will discuss the Investigation and Commencement of Repair (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which are due to come into force on 6 October 2026. Her session will examine what Awaab’s Law means for Scotland’s rented housing sector and why effective collaboration between tenants and landlords is essential.

Lesley Baird, associate at TPAS Scotland, said: “This challenge does not affect tenants alone, it affects all of us, regardless of age or background. We need to explore the future collectively by sharing research, ideas, knowledge and experience.

“Landlords must work collaboratively with one another while meaningfully involving tenants and tenants’ groups. This year’s conference is only the beginning of the conversation, but we hope it will establish clear priorities for the future and provide a foundation on which we can build over the coming year.”

The TPAS Scotland Annual Conference 2026 will provide an opportunity for tenants, landlords, policymakers and housing professionals to share experiences, challenge established approaches and help shape a more inclusive and effective model of tenant participation for Scotland. It takes place at the Golden Jubilee Hotel Clydebank on the 17th, 18th and 19th June.

Find out more here.