What Do Tenant Associations Do?

Think of a tenant association as a labor union, but for your rental community. It may include tenants in a specific building or development. Membership may also be on a larger scale. For example, the members may be renters in a city who belong to a county or citywide local tenants’ association. These groups have many goals, including:

• Informing tenants of their rights under local, state, and federal law
• Organizing and lobbying on behalf of tenants and tenants’ rights, especially at city and county levels of government
• Improving tenant-landlord relationships and building conditions
• Promoting services for tenants under a “strength in numbers” model
• Encouraging regular communication and community awareness among tenants

For example, suppose that your local city council is considering a new law to shorten the eviction process. A shorter eviction period might unfairly benefit landlords. Property owners want to secure their properties at tenants’ expense.

But a local tenants association will have the power and motivation to fight back. They might attend city council hearings to push back against the new law. Ultimately, the association’s advocacy might mean the difference between the status quo and the passage of the unfair law.

Keep reading to learn more about tenants associations and how they push for better tenant conditions in a building, city, or county. If your group needs help challenging unfair policies or navigating complex housing laws, consider contacting a local attorney.

Tenant Associations: The Right to Organize

Tenant associations usually have periodic meetings to encourage active tenant participation. The meetings also aim to promote tenants’ awareness of the association’s role and available services. Discussions may also take place about:

• Association goals
• Group bylaws
• Votes on important decision-making events

Employers can’t retaliate against employees who join labor unions. Similarly, real estate law provides legal protections for tenants. Federal and state fair housing laws allow tenants to join organizations that advance their interests. Landlords can’t punish tenants for participating in or joining a tenant association. Examples of banned landlord conduct include:

• Arbitrary rent increases
• Refusal to make necessary repairs
• Threats of eviction or other forms of landlord retaliation

Also, a landlord can’t prevent a tenant association from meeting in a common area on the building’s premises if:

• Other groups can do so, and
• The meeting circumstances (i.e., time, place, noise level) are reasonable.

Professional legal backup can reinforce your association’s efforts. If a landlord ignores repairs or retaliates against your organization, an attorney can step in and back you up. Find local legal help.

What Issues Do Tenant Organizations Cover?

Tenant associations engage in community advocacy locally and statewide. Many are nonprofit organizations that continually fight for tenant rights in the areas of:

• Affordable housing and rental assistance
• Safe tenancy living conditions
• Responsible property management
• Reforming landlord-tenant laws
• Lobbying elected officials to expand legal rights of tenants

Real estate investors, property owners, and management companies push back. They have their own landlord associations that advocate for their interests. They advance rental housing agendas that benefit landlords alone. So, tenant groups need to take collective action to level the playing field for rental properties.

For example, landlord organizations help property owners by creating legal forms. Landlords might have access to templates to help them with the eviction process. Since tenants do not own property, they might be financially disadvantaged.

Fighting against an eviction notice might be difficult. This is where tenant associations come in. Many of these organizations provide tenants access to legal aid resources. A tenant backed by an association is far more likely to stick up for their rights.

Getting Involved With Your Local Tenant Association

If you are a tenant in a large residential building or development, consider joining your local tenant association. If you rent your home in a mid- to large-sized city, you may have the opportunity to get involved in a tenant association or organization. To find out more, contact your city’s housing department. Some examples of tenant organizations include:

• San Francisco Tenants Union
• National Alliance of HUD Tenants
• Tenants Together
• Portland Tenants Union
• Action North Carolina
• The California Apartment Association (renters section)
• Twin Cities Tenants (Minneapolis-St. Paul)
• Metropolitan Tenants Organization (Chicago)

Your state might also have resource pages on different providers. Here are a few popular state websites offering information on tenant associations:

• New York City (NYC) Housing Preservation and Development
• California Housing is Key Program
• Texas Attorney General

Need More Help? Get Legal Advice

Joining or forming a tenant association is a great way to build collective power and fight for fair treatment. But it may not be enough in some scenarios. If you need additional support and advocacy with a tenant rights issue, a landlord-tenant lawyer can step in and take legal action to protect your rights. They can also advise on lobbying elected officials to advance tenant rights in your area.

FindLaw’s directory of landlord-tenant attorneys can connect you with qualified legal help near you. Because state law is relevant, your attorney should be licensed in the state where you live. Enter your city or ZIP code for a list of legal professionals in your area. Your search results will also show important details about prospective attorneys, like ratings, areas of practice, and whether they offer free consultations.