Who We Are

Tavistock Co-operative manages Harford House, a community of 104 flats where cooperative living thrives. Our location blends the character of West London with the convenience of city living.

Our Community-Driven Approach

At the heart of our co-operative is a management committee, democratically elected by our members. The team is committed to an environment where every resident's voice matters, fostering a collaborative atmosphere for everyone who calls Harford House home.

What We Do

Our appointed manager, guided by the committee, keeps operations running smoothly. Our key services include:

Routine repairs and maintenance, keeping residents comfortable and safe.
Resolving complaints with prompt, effective solutions.
Contractor management, selecting and overseeing contractors to maintain high standards.
Financial oversight, managing funds wisely to improve community living.
Community engagement, keeping residents informed through regular newsletters and collaboration with external partners.

Financial Stewardship and Improvements

We take pride in financial prudence, reinvesting surplus funds into meaningful improvements. Residents have benefited from upgrades including advanced CCTV, new floor coverings, improved lighting, and the beautification of our grounds, all at no additional cost.

What Is a Tenant Management Organisation?

A TMO is a way for residents to manage services on behalf of the Council. It is a legal entity, much like a company, focused on improving life for council tenants and leaseholders. Residents elect a committee, vote on priorities, and oversee services, so decisions reflect real local needs rather than top-down mandates. For Harford House, that means faster repairs, careful spending, and a stronger community.

Key features of a TMO:

Legal entity: operates with the rights and responsibilities of a formal organisation.
Resident-run: managed by residents for the benefit of the community.
Active participation: residents help shape how their homes are managed.
Service management: covers a defined range of services while protecting residents' rights.

    
      How resident-led TMO management compares with direct management by Westminster City Council.
      
          Aspect
          
            Resident-led
            TMO-Managed
            Our model
          
            Council-run
            Directly Council-Managed
          
          Management control
          TMO-ManagedResidents form a corporate body, elect a management committee, and hold a formal contract with the Council to handle specific services.
          Council-ManagedThe Council retains full control and responsibility for all housing management.
        
          Resident involvement
          TMO-ManagedHigh. Tenants and leaseholders take on responsibilities together, with periodic resident ballots to confirm the arrangement.
          Council-ManagedLimited. Decisions are made by council staff, without a resident management structure.
        
          Decision-making
          TMO-ManagedLocal and democratic. Residents vote on priorities such as budgets and improvements.
          Council-ManagedCentralised. Standard policies are applied across all properties.
        
          Services handled
          TMO-ManagedDay-to-day repairs, tenancy management, cleaning, caretaking, and rent collection, among others.
          Council-ManagedThe same services, handled uniformly by council teams.
        
          Funding
          TMO-ManagedReceives an annual management and maintenance allowance from the Council, based on what the Council would otherwise spend managing directly.
          Council-ManagedFunded from the Council's overall housing budget, with no separate allowance.
        
          Responsiveness
          TMO-ManagedOften faster on local issues, thanks to on-site resident oversight.
          Council-ManagedStandard processes can mean slower resolutions.
        
          Accountability
          TMO-ManagedIndependent competency assessments and regular resident ballots build trust through transparency.
          Council-ManagedAccountable through council oversight and the ombudsman, with less direct resident input.
        
          Community focus
          TMO-ManagedEmphasises community, with room for resident-led events and improvements.
          Council-ManagedFocuses on city-wide standards.

Tavistock TMO: Leadership

Our TMO is led by an annually elected committee, similar to the board of a limited company. Overseen by the elected Chairman, the team keeps operations running well. If you would like to join the committee or get more involved, contact our Office Manager.

Getting Involved

Getting involved is how change starts. Come to a meeting, volunteer, or simply talk to your neighbours about what you would like to see. Your input drives what we do.

Contact Us

We are always happy to help. For more information or any query, contact us at office@harfordhouse.org, use the contact form, or visit the office in person.