A major Scottish Housing Association is using SMS text message competitions and prize draws to boost its tenant incentive scheme. The scheme aims to promote being a responsible tenant and good neighbour and gives reward and recognition to tenants who abide by their tenancy agreement obligations.

Tenants who have signed up to the scheme are eligible to enter competitions or draws to win prizes including TVs, computers, special outings and meals out. Tenants text their entries to a dedicated 'text-number' provided to the Association by Text-Connect™. Entrants receive an automatic 'Thank You' message to confirm their competition entry.

Text messages arrive as emails to the Housing Associations computer network where they are processed by the Incentives team. Entrants are referenced by their post code which is included in the text message and any entries texted out of office hours are processed the following day.

The Associations incentive scheme has resulted in reduced rent arrears, a drop in anti-social behaviour, and more sustainable tenancies. Tenants alter their behaviour to attain and maintain membership of the scheme.

Text message competitions supporting the tenant incentive scheme gives the Association and tenants many advantages, including:

• Competition entries by text are easy to process and reduce any staffing requirement, with associated cost savings.
• The speed and simplicity of text competition entry boosts involvement by tenants at minimal up front cost to the Association.
• Once set up the system can be used for repeated competitions AND general communication with tenants.
• The Association raises the profile and desirability of the incentive scheme among those yet to join with a broad spread of prize winners in the community.

Our client selected the Text-Connect™ '2 way' "Business Package".