Skip to content
How might organisations support and develop community wealth;
How might membership of cooperatives and CIC's provide the support structures we need for regenerative economies to emerge.
People In Commons Research
Research process
Creating trust networks
Charitable ownership models
Untitled page
Untitled page
Share
Explore

Research process for the renters coop model; testing participatory governance through unionisation

This research proposal seeks 10 employed renters to participate in a one-year pilot residents’ cooperative, organized as a CIC (Community Interest Company). Participants will redirect their monthly rent payments and member subscriptions through the CIC, which, in partnership with Future Folk Sussex and UK Commons acting as a residents’ association, will pay rent to landlords and support collective decision-making.

Research Proposal: Renters’ Cooperative Pilot

Background and Rationale
In the current rental market, renters have limited control over communal affairs and little leverage in negotiations with landlords. Cooperative rental models—where residents jointly manage payments and collective decisions—can enhance security, agency, and community outcomes. This proposal aims to test the operational and social impacts of a cooperative structure among individual renters, using a CIC framework supported by Future Folk Sussex and UK Commons.

Participant Recruitment

- Number: 10 participants. - Eligibility: All must be currently employed and renting in England. - Commitments: - Must become members of the CIC. - Must pay a mothly subscription fee to the CIC (amount to be determined in collaboration with participants). - Must redirect rent payments (i.e., cease paying directly to landlords; CIC pays rent on their behalf).

Model Description

The CIC acts as the central organizer and residents association. It receives both rent and subscriptions, negotiates with landlords, pays rents, and supports wider resident priorities. Community partners (Future Folk Sussex and UK Commons) provide governance support, frameworks, and advice. Residents will collectively identify additional purchases, activities, or group investments.

Duration and Evaluation

- Pilot period: One year. - Outcomes: - Financial stability and satisfaction of rent payment process. - Transparency, organizational governance, and efficacy of CIC structure. - Participant agency and collective activity uptake. - Recommendations for scaling or adapting the model. - Dissemination: All findings and summary outcomes will be openly published and shared with local housing, cooperative, and policy networks.

Objectives

- Test the feasibility and impact of a renters’ cooperative operated by a CIC. - Assess member experiences: financial, social, organizational. - Establish replicable frameworks for similar resident associations under CIC models.

Methodology

Onboarding: Secure 10 participants, confirm eligibility, register all as CIC members.
2. Implementation: Agree subscriptions, process rent transfer, set up collective bank/treasury managed by the CIC with partner oversight. 3. Facilitation: Continuous engagement supported by Future Folk Sussex and UK Commons; monthly resident meetings for collective decision-making. 4. Monitoring: Quarterly evaluation of satisfaction, financial records, and emergent group initiatives. 5. Reporting: Final report and open publication on process, governance, financial outcomes, and resident recommendations.

Support & Governance

Future Folk Sussex and UK Commons will co-facilitate governance meetings, provide operational templates, and moderate dispute resolution to ensure a robust resident-led structure.

Ethical Considerations

Participant identities and experiences will be respected, with all personal data anonymized in public reporting. Consent will be sought at all stages, and participation will remain voluntary with the option to withdraw.

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.