The Existing Tenants Survey (ETS) is a large and comprehensive survey of social housing tenants owned by the TSA.

Key findings

• The response to choice does not appear to be driven by financial factors
• Tenants were more likely to be willing to take on more responsibility for a reduced level of rent
  (29%) than they were to pay a higher level of rent for a higher level of services (ten per cent). However, in relation to both scenarios, a significant majority did not want to change their present rent and service provision conditions
• Satisfaction with landlord and current service provision appeared to have some influence on attitudes to choice; this was more significant in relation to taking on more responsibility for a reduced level of rent. Negative past experience may result in tenants feeling they may as well arrange or complete the work themselves
• Individual characteristics of tenants influenced attitudes in relation to taking on more responsibility and those need to be considered as the choice agenda develops, eg older people or those that are disabled may not be able to exert choice as they may not be physically able to carry out repairs, or those in full-time employment may not have the free time
• Although some themes have emerged, in the majority of cases there was no difference between the yes and no groups when cross-tabulating with responses to other questions in the ETS. Further in-depth research may be required to understand tenant attitudes to choice more fully