ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that though participation is usually seen as a clear sign of tenants' increasing influence, significant strains can ensue from such policies. It deals with a summary of academic and political perspectives on tenant participation. The chapter explores the theme of residualisation and argues that tenant participation is likely to have limited impact at a time when residents are becoming increasingly marginalised from mainstream economic activity. The terms 'tenant participation' and 'tenant consultation' are used to describe the process housing staff undertake when communicating collectively with tenants. Tenant participation is seen as a way of improving the landlord function and the quality of life for tenants. Interpretations of tenant participation that rely exclusively on theoretical suppositions without any form of substantive local research have inherent weaknesses. The chairperson's comments questioned the value of tenant participation for its own sake, suggesting that it can place considerable burdens on tenants.
