Tenants union
A tenants’ union is a group of tenants that educate others about their rights and responsibilities as renters.[1]
Process
Usually the process starts with a group of tenants creating a written list of demands. One tenant with legitimate complaints about building safety, high rent, maintenance issues and other harmful practices is easy to ignore. An organized group of tenants with a list of specific demands is more likely to get a landlord negotiating. No "official" recognition is required in order for a tenant union to be legitimate and impactful. Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, gender, religion and other protected identity categories, but it doesn't explicitly protect tenants' right to organize collectively.[2]
The goal of a tenants union is to empower people to fight for housing as a human right or reforms like rent control.[3] With the end of eviction moratoriums, tenant unions push for Good Cause Eviction laws in New York. Good cause could include non payment, lease violations, nuisance cases, or if a landlord wants to move into the property.[4]
References
- "Help for Tenants Facing Eviction". Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- "Having trouble with your landlord? Here's how to organize a tenant union in Kansas City". MSN. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- Cox-Rosen, Rachel (2022-01-11). "Woman pushes for tenants union as fight for affordable housing in Collier County continues". WINK NEWS. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- "New York's eviction moratorium expires Saturday, concerns remain among landlords, tenants". MSN. Retrieved 2022-02-11.