There’s been a lot of talk in recent months about a national voice for tenants (or residents, or customers, which is a whole other conversation). In theory, the idea of a body that represents social housing residents’ views on the national stage is a good one, if you assume that residents are a monolith who all want the same thing.

If you take the view that the six million or so people that live in social housing in the UK are a diverse bunch with varying opinions and priorities, then the idea is still good if a little more complex. Not just diverse in their demographics, but also in their tenancy type, property condition and relationship with their landlord. Each persons’ experience is unique. How do you fairly characterise such a diverse set of experiences through a (relatively) small group of representatives?

We can make educated guesses about the broad themes that residents want to see improved – repairs performance, call waiting times, tackling antisocial behaviour, shared ownership in its entirety. Information that is easily gleaned from TSM and complaints data readily available to those that need it, and blindingly obvious to anyone who’s spoken with a resident for more than a minute.

What’s the purpose of a national body, then, if we already know the themes and the detail is too nuanced for high-level policy? The strongest argument in my eyes is symbolism and scrutiny. Maybe just the existence of a collective voice in the decision-making room may ensure the resident isn’t forgotten. Quality control, invigilation, supervision.

If that’s the reason, the very fact a national body is being considered is a stain on the sector. Each and every provider has ample access to the people that live in the homes they manage. Thousands of opportunities out in the community, and millions of data points in the cloud, that should explain both the nuance and the themes of ‘What Residents Want’. And yet with all that knowledge, the sector still needs (wants?) a national body to guide them.

There are many groups that are already doing great work: the National Tenants Alliance is currently in its forming phase; the G15 residents group strategically representing large London landlords; National Independent Tenants Voice Cymru for Wales; ombudsman and regulator resident panels informing regulatory oversight; and activist groups like SHAC. All have slightly different goals and approaches, none the right or wrong way of doing things. And collectively they cover some, but not all, of the voices of social housing residents.

Please don’t take this as a protest against a national residents group, but instead a critique of the need for one. We have all the information available to improve resident services. Let’s just get on and do it.

I still vividly remember one man in Hackney, who’s off-the-cuff response sums up my views on the matter. I asked if he had a minute to talk about bike storage and garages on his estate.

“I can tell you if you want, mate, but I told you this all two years ago and you’ve done f*** all.”