A residents' association can help if you are having problems with your neighbours. For a residents' association to be effective, it has to represent the whole community.

• When can a residents' association be useful?
• Establishing a residents' association
• Finding a residents' association in your area

When can a residents' association be useful?

A residents' association is a useful organisation if:

• you are having problems in your area with antisocial behaviour;
• you are looking for funding to improve your area;
• you feel that your landlord isn't listening to your views.

You can set up a residents' association if you rent from a private landlord. Most residents' associations are set up by Housing Executive or housing association tenants.

Any group of people living in the same area can set up a residents' association. They can choose:

• who their members will be;
• how they will be represented;
• what they want to achieve.

However, if a group wants to make sure that its views are listened to by other organisations they must be able to show that they are:

• accountable;
• democratic;
• representing the views of their community.

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Establishing a residents' association

You should contact the Housing Executive or Supporting Communities NI if you are thinking about setting up a residents' association. You can get advice on:

• involving the whole community;
• ensuring that your group is representative of your community;
• applying for funding;
• dealing with government agencies.

However, there are some basic things you should think about when establishing a group to encourage everybody to become involved, including:

• use positive images of minority groups;
• arrange meetings to suit as many members as possible;
• develop an equal opportunities policy;
• translate information and provide signers/interpreters;
• challenge racist, sexist or derogatory remarks;
• avoid using stereotypes;
• give everybody the right to express an opinion and respect their views.

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Finding a residents' association in your area

You can find out about residents' associations in your area by contacting:

• your local Housing Executive District Office
• the Northern Ireland Tenants Action Project
• a local advice agency