City of Takoma Park: Department of Housing and Community Development

                Organizing a Tenants' Association


     Have you ever thought of organizing a Tenants' Association in
the building where you rent?  An Association can facilitate
cooperation and communication between a landlord, the management
and the tenants and can often lead to resolving issues of common
concern such as:
     
     -  Security in and around the building;

     -  Parking;

     -  Repairs in individual apartments or in common areas;
         
     -  A disruptive tenant and

     -  Clarification of rules or policies  
     
     
                       Steps to Organizing                       

     1.  Determine the interest among the tenants in organizing an
association.  Even if there does not seem to be the support that
you would want, many may choose to join in after things get going. 
Obviously, the more people participating, the stronger the
association will appear.

     2.  Request copies of Article 7 of the Takoma Park Code
(Landlord-Tenant Relations Law) from the Department of Housing and
Community Development.  It is important that both tenants and
landlords are knowledgeable of their rights and responsibilities
outlined in this section of the code and to know the process that
should be taken when addressing an issue that is of concern to the
residents.

     3.  Set up a first meeting and give the tenants at least a two
week notification by way of a written flyer or a notice in the
common area of the building.  State what the agenda will be and be
positive.  It should not just be a gripe session.  At this meeting,
make sure that everyone has an opportunity to talk about their
concerns, but that order is maintained.  Before the meeting starts,
ask for a volunteer to take minutes so that the association has a
record of each meeting.  Pass around an attendance list so that you
know who has been interested enough to attend.  

     4.  Toward the end of the meeting, decide when you will elect
officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer).  It
is sometimes best not to do this at the first meeting because
people need to get to know each other.  At a later date, you can
decide if there should be dues and a need for a Treasurer. 
Sometimes minimal dues are collected to pay for refreshments or to
sponsor an upcoming party.


     5.  Officers should be elected who are willing to devote time
to the association and the organizing process.  Candidates should
be open-minded, willing to listen and understand that there may
often be two sides to a story.

     6.  Notification of the election of the officers should be
sent to the Office on Landlord Tenant Affairs, DHCD,7500 Maple
Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 .  A letter of introduction
should also be sent to the landlord and/or management followed by
a list of concerns.  At some point the association should consider
inviting the landlord or management to attend specific meetings or
all the meetings, depending on the desire of the members.  Many
accomplishments can take place at a meeting that is well run and
organized.  When the landlord or his/her representative comes to a
meeting, it is important to show that the association is an
organized group of concerned tenants who are intent on improving
the building in which they live.   Cooperation and responsibility
and knowledge of the law should be stressed. 
     
     7.  Meetings should take place at least once a month and it is
a good idea to have it on the same day, for instance, the last
Wednesday or the first Tuesday of each month.  

     8.  It is good to set the agenda for the next meeting at the
end of the previous meeting.  Having members involved with various
projects or research gives everyone an opportunity to show their
talents and be an integral part of the group.  It will be
beneficial to the group as a whole.

     9.  One of the most difficult challenges of an association is
keeping the interest of its members.  Because of the nature of its
existence, sometimes an association will lose a key member because
that person moves.  Try not to let this be the downfall of your
association.  Elect a new spokesperson and keep the ball rolling.

    10.  There are other tenant associations in the city that are
meeting the same challenge that you are.  It might be interesting
to talk to some of their board members to discuss how they 
accomplished their tasks. 

     10.  The Office on Landlord-Tenant Affairs is available to
meet with your association at any stage during its development to
discuss specific issues of concern or the COLTA complaint process
that is available to tenants and landlords in Takoma Park.  Take
this opportunity to strengthen your association and become an
integral part of the community in which you live. 

     Any further questions regarding how to organize a tenants
association can be directed to the Office on Landlord Tenant
Affairs at (301) 270-5900.