Why do residents associations exist?
They are set up to:
- meet the needs of the community
- have a clear purpose to tackle issues and problems collectively rather than individually.
A list of tenants and residents associations in Brent can be found online on Brent's Community Network, BRAIN (Brent Resource and Information Network).
What do residents associations do?
In Brent these include:
- focussing on the modernisation programme and repairs scheme being carried out by us
- dealing with crime
- organising social activities for all communities (age, race, etc)
- working in partnership with us
- also covers anything likely to affect the landlord/resident relationship (in most cases).
Resident associations also have:
- regular contact with us
- residents views fed into their decision-making processes
- campaigns on issues where they do not see eye-to-eye with us
- a greater community spirit and trust.
Setting up a residents association
This takes a lot of time and voluntary effort and to be effective the following points need to explore:
- main reasons for setting up a residents association. Speak to a Neighbourhood Services officer so that they can provide assistance, advice and resources
- set up a small group that represents the community (i.e. ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities) and discuss the ideas
- plan a public meeting to explain ideas and elect a committee
- agree a constitution
- elect a Chair, secretary and treasurer.
How are resident associations financed?
Resident associations have little, if any money especially when they start. We will give a start-up grant to new associations. Each year we will carry out a registration. If the association meets the registration criteria, they will receive a grant of £200. Associations can organise fundraising events to raise money.
We will assist with the resourcing such as photocopying, letters, leaflets and postage. Our Neighbourhood Services officers will assist all residents associations in accessing additional funding from charitable organisations such as Edward Harvest, but at some point you will need to think about how you will fundraise (refer to fund-raising section).
Note: It is important that residents associations should aim to have as many members as possible and to make sure that it provides real equality of opportunity for everyone where you live. This will help establish the confidence of people living in the area and convince us that it is has a representative group to deal with.
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- organising a Residents Association (.pdf, 2308.7Kb)
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