Residents’ Groups

What are Residents Groups?

Residents groups are people living in an area who come together to address common concerns, like housing or community issues. These groups:

• Make the area safer and more enjoyable.
• Give a stronger collective voice.
• Organize events and campaigns.

Why Set Up a Group?

• To make changes in your community.
• To be heard by local authorities and other agencies.
• To campaign for or against things in your area.
• To organize community events.
• To build a sense of community

Recognised residents associations

• You can start a resident association informally.
• But getting official recognition gives your group special rights.
  • You can get recognition from your landlord.
  • Or through the Residential Property Tribunal Service.

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Benefits of being recognised

As a recognised association, you have the right to:

Ask for information

• Find out about costs that affect your service charges.

View accounts and receipts

• Look at financial records related to your site.

See work estimates:

• Check estimates for any planned work.

Suggest contractors

• Propose names for contractors when major work is planned.

Check insurance

• See a summary of the insurance cover and view the policy.

Be consulted

• Have a say in who manages the site services.

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Getting official recognition

Starting your group with the aim of getting recognised is a good idea. Here’s how to do it:

Ask your landlord

• Request written recognition from your landlord.

If refused

•  If the landlord refuses or withdraws recognition (with six months' notice):
  • you can apply to the Residential Property Tribunal Service for recognition.

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Requirements for recognition

To get recognised, you need to:

Have a constitution and officers

• At least a chairperson and a treasurer.

Hold meetings

• Including an annual general meeting.

Keep accounts

• Maintain financial records.

Open membership

• Allow all site residents to join.

For council-run sites

• If your site is run by the council, you can apply for recognition from the local council.
• Contact the council's housing department.
• Or look for "tenant participation" on their website for more information.

Setting up a group

Gauge interest

• Talk to people to see if they are interested in forming a group.

Plan the first meeting

• Use initial interest to plan a public meeting.

Publicise the meeting

• Use posters, leaflets, and word of mouth to invite people.

Hold the meeting

• Discuss forming the group, name it, elect officers, and set goals.

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Running your group

Create an agenda

• List what will be discussed at meetings.

Take minutes

• Record main decisions and who will do what.

Elect officers

• Choose a Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Establish policies

• Draft a constitution and policies (like Equal Opportunities, Child Protection).

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Funding

Applying for funding

• You may wish to apply for funding depending on what your group's aims are.
• Identify potential funders (local authorities, charities).
  • The Directory of Social Change has a search tool for this.
• Write a clear application outlining your group's goals and needs.
• Keep records of funding received and spent.

Handling finances

If you get funding you will need to:

• Keep accurate records of income and expenses.
• Have a separate bank account for the group.
• Prepare regular financial reports.

For more detail, you can read our full guide here.