The best time to organize a Tenants Association is before you have problems.
What is a Tenants Association?
A Tenants Association is an organization made up of (and led by) tenants from the same building, complex, and/or who have the same landlord.
Tenants Associations organize tenants to reject unfair rent increases, oppose unjust policies, and fight back when landlords break the law. Their strength comes from their ability to organize at scale in ways that impact the landlord’s bottom line.
A Tenants Union is a city-wide network of tenants and associations who offer support and stand in solidarity with each other, but may live in different buildings or have different landlords. The “Reno Sparks Tenants Union” offers support to tenants anywhere in Washoe County (including rural communities).
Why Organize?
We choose to organize because we recognize power in people, strength in numbers, and safety in our collective ability to support each other in times of need.
As a community, you can effectively:
- Bargain for repairs and against rent hikes
- Prepare for emergencies
- Get to know your neighbors
- Build/find community
- Coordinate to meet each others’ needs (mutual aid)
- Create communal spaces
- Keep yourself and your neighbors safe
- Fight gentrification and influence community development
How to Get Started Organizing a Tenants Association
- Planning: Join the Reno Sparks Tenants Union (RSTU). We can help you through the process and direct you to resources. Gather outreach materials,like door-knocking scripts and a contact information form.
- Talk to your neighbors: Ask questions about their experience living in your building. Listen more than you speak. Find out what concerns people have and who is most motivated to act.Make it known that you are organizing together to improve your living conditions. Ask if they’re interested in talking to more neighbors!
- Build a communication method: Set up a system for tenants to stay in communication (we recommend an encrypted app like Signal). Use this to promote meetings, discuss building issues, and get to know each other.
- Hold your first meeting: Pick a time and place. This could be a potluck or coffee hour. You may want to rotate times, and make sure to have childcare if needed. Don’t worry if not everyone can make it. Every meeting should have clear objectives. Designate roles: agenda-maker, facilitator, notetaker. Use this as a way to get people invested in the process.
- Take action: The TA should work to better the homes, lives, and financial situations of its members. Explore strategies together and bring as many people in as possible. Consider escalating pressure: send a collective demands letter, visit the landlord’s office or house, etc. Connect with other buildings whether they already have formed TAs or need help in starting one.
More Resources
- Organize and Rise: The Tenants’ Handbook by Madrid Tenants’ Union https://rosalux.es/2024/05/manual-de-organizacion-inquilina/
- Autonomous Tenants Union Network Resource List: https://atun-rsia.org/resources
- Tenant Union Flatbush: How to Organize a Tenant Association: https://tenantunionflatbush.com/how-to-organize-a-tenant-association/
If you live in Washoe County and need help moving, paying for rent, or other support, send a request to our Mutual Aid network.
Here’s How You Can Make a BIG Difference in Only 5 Minutes
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