Residents associations

A residents' association is usually a group of individuals who live in a particular area, who work to represent the views and needs of local residents in that area. 

Some residents' associations are set up to achieve a specific aim whilst others represent the more general interests of local people.

Setting up an association
If you are trying to get the local community to participate in a new association. Call a public meeting for everyone in the area and elect a chair, a secretary and a treasurer and any other committee members and draw up a constitution outlining: 

• the aims ofthe association
• the criteria for membership
• the area the association will represent
• details of how the committee will be run and elected
• how often association meetings will be held.

You may also want to set up a formal steering group to draw up the terms of your constitution.

Registration
All councils and housing associations must keep a register of tenants' and residents' associations as part of their tenant participation strategy. You can apply to register your organisation if any members of your organisation are a housing association or a council tenant.