Attendees
TTS: Shona Gorman (SG), John Duffy (JD), June Anderson (JA), Margaret Dymond (MDy), Scott MacLeod (SM), Gordon Saunders (GS), Jackie Budgen (JB)
SHR: Helen Trouten Torres (HTT - Chair), Kelda McMichael (KM), Emma McClorey (EM); Garry Coutts (GC – Items 1-2), Helen Shaw (HS – Items 1-2), Tracey Houston (TH – Item 3)
Apologies
TTS: Liz McKnockiter (LMcK)
SHR: Michael Cameron (MC), Marieke Dwarshuis (MDw),
Welcome and Introductions
HTT welcomed attendees to the meeting and introduced GC (SHR Board Chair) and HS (Director of Regulation). HTT also welcomed JB to her first Liaison Group meeting.
Declarations of Interest
The following declarations were noted:
- JA - Paragon Housing Association and Clackmannanshire Tenants and Residents Federation member
- SM - Albyn Housing Society Board Member
- MDy - TPAS Board Member
- GS - TIS Board Member
- SG - Link Group Board Member
Minutes & Blog of Previous Meeting
HTT advised that the minutes & blog from the meeting held on 28 April 2026 had been agreed in advance of the meeting and published on the SHR website.
Action Log
The group noted that the remaining outstanding action relating to provision of meeting papers in a single pack had now been completed and would be considered under Any Other Business.
Q&A with SHR Chair and Head of Regulation
Future Priorities for SHR
SM raised a question regarding GC's vision for SHR over the coming years, including the impact of public sector reform, budget reductions and implications for thematic work.
GC highlighted ongoing financial pressures across the public sector and noted that SHR had reduced operating costs in response to budget reductions over the past few years. He advised that key priorities for SHR over the coming years would include:
- Financial sustainability of landlords;
- Quality and condition of housing stock;
- Tenant and resident safety; and
- Maintaining effective engagement with stakeholders.
GC acknowledged the value of thematic work but noted that resource constraints meant that SHR was having to review all of its work to ensure that it continues to deliver effective regulation with the resources it has available.
HS advised that SHR is currently undertaking an operating model review and considering how best to deliver its statutory functions within available resources. Proposals are expected to be considered by the SHR Board later in the year and SHR will update stakeholders on this as soon as possible.
Members discussed the importance of thematic work and welcomed SHR's recognition of the value that stakeholders placed on thematic reviews.
Tenant Representation on the SHR Board
JD asked about plans for future tenant representation on the SHR Board.
GC advised that three SHR Board Members will reach the end of their tenure at the end of March. Two of these Board Members are currently social tenants. SHR hopes to recruit to two new positions and hope that tenant representation will continue within the SHR Board. GC stressed the value tenant Board Members bring and noted that recruitment will focus on gaining tenant experience and perspectives.
Members highlighted the importance of recognising lived experience as a valuable skill and discussed practical issues including the impact of Board Member remuneration on benefits entitlement. (Action TTS020: KM agreed to share a link to a Benefits Calculator and to the Ministerial Appointments Information & Vacancies page.)
Tenant Safety and Awaab's Law
GS asked about SHR's preparedness to regulate effectively in relation to tenant safety and Awaab's Law. HS advised that tenant and resident safety remains a key regulatory priority. She highlighted recent work regarding:
- Damp and mould;
- Electrical safety compliance;
- Assurance on tenant and resident safety obligations; and
- New Charter indicators relating to damp and mould.
HS confirmed that SHR expects to maintain a strong regulatory focus on tenant and resident safety despite budgetary pressures. Members discussed the importance of clear communication with tenants and ensuring that information about Awaab's Law is accessible and understandable.
The group also discussed notifiable events, landlord reporting and the importance of maintaining a positive culture where landlords notify SHR of issues when appropriate.
Joint Working and Shared Services
JA raised concerns that tenants may not be adequately involved in discussions regarding local authority shared service arrangements.
HS advised that SHR does not currently have specific guidance relating to shared service models, although SHR would expect landlords to consider tenant views where service changes affect tenants.
Members discussed examples of emerging collaborative models and stressed the importance of meaningful tenant engagement.
Net Zero and Decarbonisation
JB asked about SHR's approach to net zero and longer-term sustainability challenges. GC and HS highlighted ongoing uncertainty regarding future net zero requirements and the significant financial challenges this creates for landlords.
Discussion focused on:
- The cost of retrofitting homes;
- Affordability implications for tenants;
- Housing development challenges;
- Funding availability; and
- The need for clearer guidance and standards.
Members shared examples of experiences within their own landlords and discussed the balance between environmental ambitions and affordability.
HTT thanked GC and HS for attending and contributing to the discussion.
National Panel of Tenants and Service Users
TH presented an overview of the key findings from the 2025-26 National Panel Report. TH advised that the Panel currently consists of 406 tenants and service users and outlined the survey and qualitative research undertaken during the year.
Headline findings included:
- High awareness of how to report repairs and safety concerns;
- Damp or mould had previously been reported by almost a third of respondents
- Continued concerns regarding energy costs and rent affordability;
- Financial pressures affecting many households;
- All types of landlord performance information seen as important;
- Continued interest in receiving information digitally; and
- Strong interest in using the SHR website
Members discussed several aspects of the findings, including damp and mould, and affordability pressures.
TH advised that a procurement exercise is underway to appoint a new contractor to help deliver the National Panel work for SHR and that SHR will seek views from TTS and others on future areas of focus once a new contractor is appointed
TTS Update
SG provided an update on recent TTS activity. This included:
- TTS AGM and office bearer selection;
- Attendance at the SFHA and TPAS conferences;
- Progress with the TTS survey on Rent Consultation and Re-let Standards;
- Membership recruitment activity; and
- Development of TTS social media channels.
Members discussed challenges associated with attracting new members and obtaining survey responses. The group also considered opportunities for future promotion and support. (Action TTS021: KM agreed to provide further details of the recruitment activities used in the Tenant Advisor Recruitment campaign).
SHR Board Update
HTT provided an update on recent SHR Board business and feedback from landlord visits undertaken by SHR Board Members. Discussion included:
- Tenant engagement approaches observed during landlord visits;
- Customer promises and performance reporting;
- Governance arrangements;
- Board diversity and tenant representation; and
- Good practice identified across the sector.
The group also discussed the practical challenges associated with tenant participation in governance and the importance of providing appropriate support and training.
HTT also provided an overview of the ‘What we will do’ guide published in June by SHR: What we will do 2026/27 | Scottish Housing Regulator and discussed the content of future meetings with the group.
SHR Updates
KM referred members to the written update circulated in advance of the meeting. This highlighted:
- Publication of the Tenant Advisors Tenancy Sustainment report;
- Recruitment and induction of new Tenant Advisors;
- Recent engagement plan updates; and
- Recent & forthcoming SHR publications and attendance at key events.
(Action TTS022: KM agreed to circulate links to the Tenant Advisors report and related publications following the meeting).
Any Other Business
The group agreed that the new combined meeting pack format had worked well and that the related action (TTS019) could now be closed.
HTT thanked members for their feedback on the "What Matters Most to Tenants" indicators for the National Report on the Charter and advised that the comments would also help inform any future Charter review discussions.
Members discussed future in-person meetings and the benefits of aligning these with key engagement activities where possible. (Action TTS023: SHR to consider 2027 Liaison Group meeting dates)
Close
HTT thanked all attendees and noted the next meeting would take place online on 10 November 2026.