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What is a residents’ association?

A residents’ association (RA) is a group of people from a specific area who come together to address local issues and represent their community. They need to follow specific rules to ensure they are including all residents of a particular block/area in decision making. They can then act as a voice for their block when bringing issues to ISHA and undertake projects to improve their community.

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The benefits

  • A residents' association has a more powerful voice and influence in than one individual voice. 
  • The residents' association can meet with ISHA to discuss issues of concern and seek to get them dealt with.
  • You can meet people from your estate / area and organise social events. 
  • You will be building up the community spirit of your estate.
  • The residents' association enables people on the same estate / area to share experiences, skills and knowledge. 
  • You can obtain grants from the ISHA or other grant giving bodies.
  • Residents' associations can become the main local body for consultation when the council or developers undertake major projects. 
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Get started

Speak with your neighbours – put up a notice in the common areas, or speak with ISHA to explore alternative options to contact your neighbours and bring them together for a discussion. You can contact our involvement team for help. 

  • Agree with your interested neighbours to hold an official meeting (online or in-person) .
  • At the official meeting:
     
    • get agreement for the formation of the group
    • name the group
    • elect a committee (chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary)
    • decide on the aims of the group
    • forward the minutes of the meeting to ISHA.

Formalities:

  • A constitution will need to be written and agreed upon (ISHA has a template for this).
  • Create an email address for the tenants and resident association (TRA).
  • Open a bank account for the tenants and resident association.

Support from ISHA

After the residents' association is officially recognised, ISHA will provide: 

  • a £200 set up grant.
  • a £100 annual grant (each year thereafter) .
  • annual Zoom account for the chair of the TRA (you must use a TRA email account, not a personal one) .
  • printing and admin services .
  • a board room venue for in-person meetings. 

If you would like to know more about getting involved, contact our Resident Involvement Team.