How to Explain the Function of a Tenant Association

Many condos and apartment complexes have tenant associations.

A tenant association works much like a homeowners or neighborhood association. A tenant association is a group of renters in a condominium or apartment complex brought together to address the residents' needs, acting as a liaison between the tenants and building management. Though no two tenant associations are alike in makeup, explaining the basic functions and responsibilities of a tenant association is quite simple.

Instructions

1. Present the new resident with paperwork regarding landlord/tenant laws in your state. In many states, the property owner is required to provide this to the tenant, but in any case, the president or steering committee of the tenant association should be well versed in this information and have it on hand. It's the association's job to ensure that the property owner or building management complies with these laws.

2. Inform the tenant about the structure of your building's association. For example, if your building has regular and formal meeting days and times, explain this. If your association is less formal, acting when tenants approach leaders with an issue, convey this as well. Most tenant associations have rules and bylaws outlining the use of common areas and noise restrictions. Explaining the regulations of the association helps the new tenant to fit in with the other residents.

3. Outline the responsibilities of the tenant association as described by your guidelines and bylaws. Some tenant associations are responsible for keeping the building clean by imposing fines on residents not in compliance. Other associations have delegates for each floor or section of a building. A new resident needs to understand that the purpose of the association is to convey long-term building needs to the property owner, not to handle emergencies or repairs.

Tips & Warnings

• Effective tenant associations focus on the needs of the building, not a particular tenant.

• If the property owner is not in compliance, the tenant association may report him to the state real estate commission.

• Tenant associations work most effectively when focusing on general goals for the building.

References

• Tenants and Neighbors: How to Start a Tenants Association
• Tenant Net: How to Organize a Tenants Association