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.

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 will now publish a report summarising the feedback and the key themes from the consultation, and the Boards of both organisations will consider the findings before making a final decision. If the merger does go ahead, your feedback 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 will happen next

We want to make sure you know exactly what to expect over the coming months. Below is our current 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

We’ll keep this timeline updated as the process progresses, so you always know what’s happening and when.

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.

Has the merger already been decided?

No.

The Boards have agreed to explore a possible merger, but no final decision will be made until after the consultation has closed and all resident feedback has been independently analysed.

A final decision is expected in March 2026.

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 is Tpas and what is 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 can I have my 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 – will be published in March 2026.

What happens after the consultation closes?

After 1 February 2026:

Tpas reviews and analyses all feedback.
Tpas produces an independent report reflecting what residents have said.
The Boards of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes consider the findings before making a final decision.
A summary of feedback and the Board decision will be published in March 2026.

What if the merger does not go ahead?

If the Boards decide not to progress with the merger, both organisations will continue operating as they do now.

We will publish:

A summary of resident feedback
The Boards’ decision
Next steps for both organisations

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 can 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 will be 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?

A summary of consultation feedback and key themes will be shared publicly so residents can see how views have been captured and considered.

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 or to Tpas – your independent adviser. Tpas have been appointed to make sure this consultation is fair, transparent, and inclusive.

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

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

To contact Tpas:

Call Tpas on 0800 731 1619 for a free confidential chat. All calls go through to voicemail so you can leave a message and they will call you back within one working day.

Email Tpas at merger-consultation@tpas.org.uk
The inbox is monitored and they will respond within two working days.

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.