A Recognised Tenants’ Association (RTA) or Recognised Residents’ Association has several significant benefits compared to an unrecognised one:

1. Legal rights: RTAs have specific legal rights that unrecognised associations do not possess. These include:
• Requesting detailed information about service charge costs, including accounts and receipts from the landlord
• Being consulted on the appointment of a managing agent
• Receiving notifications of proposed major works and copies of estimates
• Nominating contractors for works, which the landlord must consider
• Appointing a surveyor for a management audit
2. Formal representation: An RTA can act on
3. behalf of its members, giving residents a stronger collective voice when dealing with landlords or managing agents.
4. Increased influence: RTAs have more weight in discussions about local issues, service delivery, and how money is spent in the community.
5. Access to funding: Recognised associations may have better opportunities to apply for funding to improve their neighbourhood.
6. Legal standing: RTAs have a formal status that can be beneficial when dealing with legal matters or disputes with landlords.
7. Information rights: The secretary of an RTA is entitled to request contact information of other qualifying tenants from the landlord, which can help in expanding membership and communication.
8. Transparency and accountability: The formal recognition encourages landlords and managing agents to be more transparent and accountable in their management practices.

While unrecognised associations can still be valuable for community building and informal representation, they lack the legal standing and specific rights that come with formal recognition, making RTAs more effective in advocating for residents’ interests and participating in property management decisions.