The award itself is validated by an independent panel of tenant participation experts.

In order to achieve the Gold level of accreditation, Link had to demonstrate how it met the ten standards outlined by TPAS which are key to effective tenant involvement.

TPAS was impressed by the wide range of engagement opportunities that Link offered as well as how its Tenant Scrutiny Panel works to ensure good outcomes for tenants by advising how performance is reported and by independently assessing services to identify areas for improvement.

Lesley Baird, chief executive at TPAS Scotland, said: “By achieving TPAS accreditation at gold level, Link has demonstrated that it provides the highest standard of tenant participation. Our robust assessment tests landlords against 10 separate standards and Link Housing Association can demonstrate excellence in each. It delivers wide and inclusive involvement. Tenants and other customers are able to get involved in a variety of ways and are empowered to influence decisions. There’s a genuine motivation to enable scrutiny of housing services and make improvements that benefit all of Link’s customers. Link continues to be a champion of tenant participation and scrutiny which other landlords can learn from.”

June Green, Link’s director of housing services, added: “We are absolutely delighted that we have achieved the gold standard. Tenant participation plays a key role in helping Link not only to improve its services and performance but also to identify ways we can do this to meet our tenants’ expectations and deliver added value for money.”

Link’s commitment to tenant participation and tenant scrutiny has been recognised by others recently. Its Tenant Scrutiny Panel won the ‘Scrutiny Excellence Award’ and it was a finalist in the ‘Tenant Participation Excellence Award’ at the TIS National Excellence Awards 2017. The Tenant Scrutiny Panel also won the ‘Excellence in Scrutiny’ award at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland Excellence Awards 2016.