Housing

Our approach to how we measure tenant satisfaction

Read our approach to how we measure tenant satisfaction. This information relates specifically to how we approached the 2025 to 2026 survey.

A total of 1,002 responses were received for the 2025 to 2026 survey.

The survey ran for 8 weeks, opening on Thursday 25 September and closing on Friday 21 November 2025.


Collection methods

Where an email address is available tenants are invited to take part electronically by completing the survey online through SurveyMonkey.

The remaining tenants are mailed a paper survey with a free post return envelope. Any paper surveys received are manually input into the SurveyMonkey questionnaire through a separate entry link.

For the 2025 to 2026 survey:

  • 649 tenants completed the survey online
  • 353 returned a paper survey in the post

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Method selection

Both electronic and paper survey methods provided the following benefits:

  • allowed tenants to complete the survey at a time convenient to them
  • allowed tenants the privacy to respond honestly and in greater detail
  • ensured supporting documents such a privacy notices were easily accessible

Inviting the majority of tenants to participate electronically also offered:

  • real-time tracking of response rates and interim results
  • ease of sending reminders
  • reduced printing and postage costs
  • lesser need for costly manual inputting of surveys or potential transcription errors

Both methods include contact details for requesting support with completing the survey including large print or alternative languages. All participants have the option to complete the survey in a paper form, online or by phone if preferred.

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Census method

In 2025 to 2026 a census approach to the survey collection was taken to reach all relevant households and maximise feedback received.

Unless consent for surveys had been withdrawn all lead tenants were contacted, totalling 6,983.

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Summary of the assessment of representativeness of the sample against the relevant tenant population

Assessment of representativeness was carried out for age, gender and patch area, these areas were selected in this initial assessment due to the availability of data however more may be included on future surveys.

The results are summarised in the following tables, however for age and gender characteristics it is difficult to surmise if certain groups are underrepresented, as around 26% of respondents opted not to share this information. For those groups summary tables are based on the proportions who answered the monitoring questions.

Results for age

Tenants in the 16 to 55 age brackets received a fair number of responses, but age groups showed underrepresentation when compared to the tenant population with less than half responding in places.

The 56 to 64 age bandings were well represented, with bandings having a slightly greater proportion of survey respondents.

Tenants in the 65+ banding showed overrepresentation, with around half the responses coming from this age group.

Age % tenant population % survey represented % overall satisfaction % age satisfaction
16 to 24 3.4 0.8 68.6 80
25 to 39 23.5 9.5 68.6 43.9
40 to 55 29.7 19.9 68.6 61.7
56 to 59 8.8 11.1 68.6 68.7
60 to 64 9.4 10.6 68.6 68.8
Over 65 24.6 46.6 68.6 85.8
Prefer not to say 1.5% 1.8% 68.6% Not collected

Results for gender

Based on those who answered the question, the proportions of male and female survey respondents is a fair representation of the tenant population, with males marginally overrepresented and females marginally underrepresented.

Similar to previous years, some improvement could be made in the response from tenants identifying as an other or non-binary gender.

Gender % tenant population % survey represented % overall satisfaction % gender satisfaction
Female 63.1 58.3 68.6 71.3
Male 34.5 39.9 68.6 76.1
Other N/A 0 68.6 N/A
Prefer not to say N/A 1.8 68.6 N/A

Results for patch

Most patches were within a 1% to 2% difference between tenant population and survey respondent population.

3 patches had a 3% to 5% difference, and 1 received no responses.

These are highlighted in the following table.

Patch % tenant population % survey represented % overall satisfaction % patch satisfaction
Patch 01 - Central 01 4.9 5.3 68.6 72.1
Patch 02 - Central 02 6.5 6.7 68.6 64.9
Patch 03 - Central 03 5.9 6.2 68.6 67.9
Patch 04 - Central 04 6.2 4.9 68.6 75.6
Patch 05 - Central 05 4.1 5.8 68.6 81.6
Patch 06 - Central 06 3.2 4.7 68.6 78
Patch 07 - Central 07 7.7 7.7 68.6 68.7
Patch 09 - Central 09 0.8 0.4 68.6 66.7
Patch 10 - Central 10 0.9 0 68.6 100
West 01 1 0.2 68.6 61.5
Patch 12 - West 02 6.8 1.4 68.6 73.2
Patch 13 - West 03 6 6.5 68.6 69
Patch 14 - West 04 4.8 6.6 68.6 67.4
Patch 15 - West 05 2.5 5.5 68.6 46.2
Patch 16 - West 06 2.6 3 68.6 66.7
Patch 17 - West 07 0.6 2.8 68.6 100
Patch 18 - West 08 0.5 0.2 68.6 83.3
West 09 1.9 0.6 68.6 92.9
West 10 3 6.5 68.6 63.6
Patch 19 - East 01 5.7 5.5 68.6 64.8
Patch 20 - East 02 5.3 6.8 68.6 56
Patch 21 - East 03 5.9 3.9 68.6 65
Patch 22 - East 04 3.7 3.2 68.6 69.4
Patch 23 - East 05 3.1 3.6 68.6 58.6
Patch 24 - East 06 3.6 0 68.6 81.3
Patch 26 - East 08 0.6 1.1 68.6 70
Patch 27 - East 09 0.5 0.2 68.6 100
Patch 28 - East 10 0.6 0.5 68.6 40

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Weighting applied to generate the reported perception measures - including characteristics used

No weightings were applied.

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Role of any named external contractors in collecting, generating, or validating the reported perception measures

The Survey is conducted by the Business Intelligence Hub, independently of Housing Services. No external contractors are used to conduct or validate the survey.

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Number of tenant households within the relevant population excluded due to the exceptional circumstances

There were no exceptions made.

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Reasons for not meeting the required sample size

The survey was sent to 6,983 people and received 1,002 responses, which is about 14% of the total group.

While not everyone responded, this is still a good-sized sample that allows us to make some general conclusions about the larger group.

With this sample size, we can be about 95% confident in the results. This means that if we ran this survey 100 times, about 95 times the results would be within a certain range - called the margin of error.

For this survey, the margin of error is around +/-3%. So, for example, if 60% of people said they liked something, the true number in the whole group is likely between about 57% and 63%. This meets the required minimum margin of error for our stock size.

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Type and amount of incentives offered to tenants to encourage engagement

As of 2024 to 2025, the offer of incentives to tenants to encourage survey completion was removed.

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Other methodological issues likely to affect reported tenant perception measures

None known.

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Information on any visual features used alongside the required response options

None used

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Also see

Housing Service Improvements

West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

Telephone: 01904 555556