Organize Your Building

Connect with Your Neighbors

The first step is talking to other tenants in your building. Find out what issues they face. This takes time and patience—organizing is 90% follow-up.

Start with a few neighbors you trust. Share your concerns. Listen to theirs. This builds the foundation for collective action.

Identify Common Issues

What problems do multiple tenants share? This might be:

• Maintenance problems not being fixed
• Unfair rent increases
• Poor living conditions
• Threats of eviction
• Harassment from landlord or management

The strongest campaigns focus on issues ALL tenants care about.

Form a Building Committee

Once you have 5-10 committed tenants, form a committee. Elect roles:

• Chair: Calls meetings, guides strategy
• Secretary: Tracks decisions and contact info
• Communications Lead: Talks to media and outside groups

Rotating roles prevents burnout and builds leadership across the group.

Draft Demands

Write down what you're asking for. Be specific and measurable:

Not: "Fix the building" | Yes: "Fix broken heat in units 5-15 by March 1st"

We have demand templates to help. Share with RSTU for feedback.

Take Action

This might be:

• Submitting your demands in writing to management
• Meeting with landlord/management as a group
• Withholding rent (rent strike) if demands aren't met
• Public pressure (media, social media, community support)

Tenants have power through collective action. A landlord needs rent money to survive.