How to Start a Tenants Union
What is a Tenants’ Union?
Building-based tenants unions are generally made up of tenants who live in the same building and/or have the same landlord. Neighborhood and city-based tenant unions are networks of tenants who often have similar issues and stand in solidarity with each other, but may live in different buildings or have different landlords.
Tenants Together/Homes For All tenant unions share a common vision and principles (see bottom), and unite with other tenant unions across our cities, states and country to build a movement of millions that is powerful enough to win rent control for all and tenant and community control of our housing and land.
Why form a Tenants Union?
Everyone is talking about passing rent control and eviction protections, but where do you start? How do we build enough power to stay in our homes, communities and thrive?! We do this by organizing. We must organize because overcoming fear and isolation is impossible to do on our own. We organize because we seek to transform people’s fear and isolation into dignity and solidarity both in your home, community and on a statewide level. Organizing isn’t just sending out an email or creating a social media page, although those will likely be steps that you take. Organizing is building real face-to-face relationships between you and your neighbors over time. The organization of tenant unions are the building blocks to our translocal, statewide, and international movement.
Currently tenant unions have fought off rent increases, evictions, and displacement in California and around the country without rent control and just cause eviction laws in place. A well organized tenant union can win rent control by being well organized and making bold demands up to collective ownership of the building by the tenants. Even if the politicians in your city don’t have the political will to do pass meaningful protections you can still organize with your neighbors and community to protect yourselves.
Steps to Building a Tenant Union:
Building a tenant union is different in each city, but we’ve learned that there are certain steps that are important. We are continually revising and updating them as we try them out and learn more. Many of these are steps we strive to weave into everything we do and so they don’t necessarily happen one at a time in this order. We often do multiple steps at the same time, and sometimes revisit an earlier step.
STEP 1 PLANT A SEED
Form an Organizing Team and Join Tenants Together
The Organizing Team is the seed, usually 3-4 people, mostly tenants or residents who are fed up and ready to do something together. With your organizing team talk about your vision of what you want to do together and how you want to do it. The more unified you can be, the stronger your seed will grow.
STEP 2 WATER THE SEED
Start Reaching Out To Others In Your Community
Set a time to go canvassing (door to door knocking) to connect with other residents. This might be in your apartment complex, on your block or in your neighbors kitchen. It’s really important to share with others why you are organizing and listen to their concerns. A good rule of organizing is to spend two-thirds of your time listening.
TIP: Make sure to bring a form and keep track of the door you knocked, the response and what you talked about] name phone number/email, apartment number/address, and notes on what you talked abt. Sample at bottom of this page.
STEP 3 GROW THE SEED
Hold your first building/complex/ community Assembly
Note: many people call this a meeting instead of an assembly, but we call it an assembly because it encourages tenant empowerment, participation, and decision making. Calling it an assembly doesn’t mean there has to be large turnout! Sometimes smaller assemblies with a core group are better at first.
Many of us have fears, doubts, and experiences that can make it difficult to take action on our own. Building collective power begins when we face these challenges together. By gathering regularly, sharing our stories, listening deeply, supporting one another, and recognizing the struggles we have in common, we strengthen our ability to create change. This work is a journey, not a single event. Trust, confidence, and solidarity grow over time as we learn from one another and take action together.
As you plan your first meeting, here are some things to consider when creating your agenda:
1) PREPARATION: Strong meetings begin with thoughtful preparation. Create an agenda, identify a facilitator, and make sure people know about the meeting ahead of time. Consider what will help everyone participate fully, including transportation, food, childcare, and a meeting location and time that are accessible and welcoming.
2) OPENING: The opening sets the tone for the meeting. Welcome everyone and create opportunities for people to introduce themselves and share why they are there. Reconnect with your shared values, goals, and purpose. Select a note-taker and timekeeper to help the meeting stay organized, focused, and productive.
3) PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP: A strong tenant union is built on active participation. Create opportunities for everyone to contribute, whether though small-group discussions, partner conversations, or whole-group dialogue. Encourage members to step into leadership roles and develop their skills. For example, residents may volunteer to serve as block or building captains, helping share information, connect neighbors, and strengthen communication throughout the community.
4) MUTUAL SUPPORT & SOLIDARITY: Building. power means showing up for one another. Make space for members to share challenges, victories, and emerging concerns. Together, identify ways to support one another and develop collective responses to the issues affecting your community.
5) POLITICAL EDUCATION: The challenges tenants face are not individual problems – they are connected to larger systems and policies. Set aside time to learn about the root causes of displacement, eviction, rising rents, and gentrification. Explore the history of housing struggles, tenant organizing victories, and the rights and protections available to renters. Understanding our history helps us shape our future.
6) COLLECTIVE DECISION-MAKING: Tenant unions are strongest when decisions are made together. Use meetings to identify shared concerns, discuss possible solutions, and develop plans for action. Important decisions should be made democratically, ensuring that members have a voice in shaping the direction of the union.
7) CLOSING: Close the meeting by sharing announcements, reflecting on what went well, and identifying areas for improvement. Pass the hat if needed to support the work, celebrate accomplishments, and end on a note of unity and determination – whether through a song, chant, or words of encouragement.
8) FOLLOW-THROUGH: Our strength comes not only from the decisions we make, but from the actions we take together. Follow through on commitments, carry out agreed-upon plans, and use meeting notes to track responsibilities and next steps. Consistent action builds trust, strengthens relationships, and turns collective goals into real victories.
STEP 4 POLLINATE
Get connected
Once you have followed the 3 steps above and held your first assembly in your building, complex or community, let’s check in! Discuss if you and your neighbors think our values are a good fit or want to think about starting to incorporate them into your work.
Then contact the Tenants Together Coordinator for your region:
Northern California: [email protected]
Central Valley: [email protected]
Southern California: [email protected]