Our proposed merger – resident consultation

This page includes information on the resident consultation we held to gather feedback on our proposed merger with Thrive Homes. The consultation period has now closed and the merger has been agreed.

Listening to residents

Our resident consultation ran from November 2025 to 1 February 2026, giving all residents the chance to give us feedback and play a vital role in shaping what happens next.

To make sure the consultation was fair, transparent and inclusive, we partnered with Tpas – The Tenant Engagement Experts. Tpas is an independent tenant engagement specialist with over 30 years of experience helping residents to have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their homes and communities.

Tpas summarised the feedback and the key themes from the consultation, and the Boards of both organisations considered the findings before making the final decision to approve the merger. Residents' feedback has also been passed on to the new Leadership team, to ensure it will influence the key priorities for the new organisation.

To find out more about the support that was offered by Tpas, you can download their Resident Information Guide here.

How we have engaged with residents

During the consultation period, we provided a range of opportunities to engage with us and share your views.

We hosted an online survey and we made paper copies available on request
We hosted four in-person drop-in sessions in our communities – giving people a chance to speak to us
We held two online sessions – giving people a chance to hear from us and talk to Tpas in confidence
Residents could also contact us or Tpas by phone or email

What the consultation involved

Below is our timeline for the merger consultation and decision process.

Stage	What is happening	When
Consultation launch	The formal resident consultation opened, giving everyone a chance to share views online, by phone, email or in person.	26 November 2025
Drop-in sessions	We hosted in-person and online sessions where you could meet teams from both organisations, ask questions and give feedback directly.	December 2025 – January 2026
Consultation closes	The consultation period has now ended and all responses will be reviewed and analysed by Tpas.	1 February 2026
Feedback and decision	We’ll publish a report written by Tpas of what we heard and both Boards will consider the findings before making a final decision.	March 2026

Both Boards have now agreed to the merger, with completion expected on 1 June 2026. You can find the latest information here.

Frequently asked questions on the consultation process

What was this consultation about?

Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes consulted residents on a proposed merger between the two organisations.

The consultation gave every resident the opportunity to share their views and help shape what happens next in the decision-making process.

Was the merger already decided before the consultation?

No. The Boards agreed to explore a possible merger, in September 2025, but the final decision was not made until 23 March 2026, after the consultation had closed and all resident feedback had been independently analysed.

When did the consultation take place?

The consultation period ran from 26 November 2025 to 1 February 2026. During this time, residents were given opportunities to share their views online, by phone, email or in person.

Who are Tpas and what was their role?

Tpas – The Tenant Engagement Experts – is an independent national organisation with more than 30 years’ experience.

They are responsible for ensuring that the consultation is:

Fair
Transparent
Independent
Accessible to all residents

Tpas will:

Collect all feedback
Analyse responses
Run drop-in sessions
Provide confidential routes to share your views
Produce an independent report for the Boards

All feedback shared with Tpas is confidential and anonymous, unless you request otherwise.

How were residents given a chance to have their say?

During the consultation period, we provided a range of opportunities to engage with us and share your views.

We hosted an online survey and we made paper copies available on request
We hosted four in-person drop-in sessions in our communities – giving people a chance to speak to us
We held two online sessions – giving people a chance to hear from us and talk to Tpas in confidence
Residents could also contact us or Tpas by phone or email

When and where were the drop-in sessions?

The consultation has now closed. We held the following sessions, giving people the chance to speak to us, find out more and share their views:

Tuesday 9 December 2025 — 6pm
Tuesday 16 December 2025 — 1.30pm–4pm Gateway House, 59 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1LA
Saturday 10 January 2026 — 10am–1.30pm South Oxhey Parish Council Office, Oxhey Dr, WD19 7SB
Thursday 15 January 2026 — 4.30pm–6.30pm Thrive Homes Office, 180 St Hughs Avenue, High Wycombe, HP13 7TX
Thursday 22 January 2026 — 1pm–3pm
Saturday 24 January 2026 — 11am–1pm Leavesden Green Community Hub, Clarke Way, Watford, WD25 0BW

Will my feedback be confidential?

Yes. All feedback given in surveys, calls, emails or drop-ins was collected by Tpas and kept anonymous unless you explicitly requested otherwise. A summary of what residents said – not individual responses – was share with both Boards for consideration as part of the final decision in March 2026.

Was transport provided to the drop-in sessions?

Yes, we provided support for people who were unable to make your own way to the drop-in sessions. The cost of this was covered by either Watford Community Housing or Thrive Homes.

Were there opportunities to speak directly to senior leaders?

Members of our senior leadership were present for the first hour of our online drop-in sessions. This gave attendees a chance to give direct feedback. We regularly hold Tenant Question Time events to give residents the chance to speak to senior leaders, as well as our Annual General Meeting.

Is this consultation meaningful, and did it influence the outcome?

Yes, the consultation was designed to gather resident views and feedback to inform decision-making. Feedback collected during the consultation period was reported and considered carefully by the Boards of both organisations as part of the overall decision process.

Will residents be able to see the findings from the consultation?

You can see a summary of the consultation feedback and key themes on our merger information page here.

On that page, you can also see Our Promise to Residents, which is our commitment to ensure that the new organisation addresses the key concerns raised by residents during the consultation.

Who should I speak to if I have questions about the merger?

If you have questions or would like to speak to someone about the proposed merger, you can speak to us directly.

If you would like to speak to us, please get in touch:

Call 0800 218 2247
Email merger@wcht.org.uk

More information

You can find out more about the proposed merger on our dedicated page here. The page includes a full set of frequently asked questions about the proposal and what it would mean for residents.