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Tenant and residents associations

These are groups of tenants, leaseholders and owner occupiers who get together to improve the area they live in.

This is a great way for people in an area to get together to tackle issues affecting you all and build community spirit. They have a constitution and officers - usually a Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. There is also a committee. Call us or look on this site to find out where your nearest one is.

If there isn't one in your area, how about settting one up with your friends? Anyone can join or set up a tenant and resident assocation or group. The good news is that we can help you with training and to set one up with a grant if you need one! Take a look at the information below to find out more.

What are the aims of a Tenants and Residents Association (TRA)?

• To help people get together to discuss how their area is run
• To give people a collective voice
• To help people influence all aspects of their environment
• To arrange social events and help build community spirit

Mutual benefits

• A platform for Nottingham City Homes to communicate with local tenants and residents
• Better understanding between Nottingham City Homes and the local community
• Greater tenant satisfaction
• Improved housing services because the housing offices are better informed

There are a number of TRAs across the city.

Recognised local contact

If there isn't a TRA in your area or there are not enough people to set one up, you could become a recognised local contact.

You will represent tenants and leaseholdes in your area, monitor services and tell us what people think. You will also get the chance to take part in estate inspections. You will need the support of your neighbours to do this. We will give you the help you need if this is what you would like to do for your area and its tenants.

Fundraising

All tenants' groups need funds to carry out their activities and to develop. Groups get their funds in various different ways, but without this financial support, many groups can't carry on for very long without them. This means that all groups will have to do some amount of fundraising.

Raising money should be seen as a group activity and not left to the treasurer or one or two people while the rest of the group get on with more 'interesting' activities. If everyone gets involved in raising funds, the group is much more likely to be successful.

You need to ask yourself a number of questions:

• What do we need money for?
• How much money do we need?
• How are we going to get the money?
• Where can we get help and advice to do this?

Take a look at our advice on funding.