A new group called STAE  — Steps to Avoid Eviction — is spreading the word on how to keep a roof over your head.

First Circuit District Court Judges Hilary Gangnes and Michael Tanigawa are leading the grassroots effort “to find ways to ensure that landlords get paid the rent they are owed and tenants are not evicted.”

How? By encouraging tenants and landlords to use available resources “in a more timely and effective manner.”

“There are a lot of organizations and people out there who want to help,” said Tanigawa said in a press release late this month. “The first step was getting everyone together in one room to discuss current landlord and tenant challenges and to see how we could more effectively partner together and use the resources we have. The next step was getting essentially a one-stop-shop of information, listing the collective resources and services currently offered to landlords and tenants.”

Here’s a few STAE (rhymes with “stay” — get it?) tips on how to keep your rental:

Tip No. 1: Always pay your rent, ideally on time.

Tip No. 2: Understand your rental agreement by knowing:

• the amount of rent
• when it is due
• the penalty for not paying your rent on time

Tip No. 3: Keep records and receipts for all rental payments, damages, repairs, complaints and visitors that you invite to your home.

STAE also wants folks to know that they can seek help from emergency financial rental assistance programs.

The grassroots effort has support from groups like the Department of Human Services, Homeless Programs Office; City & County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services; Legal Aid Society of Hawaii; Helping Hands Hawaii; Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Mediation Center of the Pacific.