this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2023
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Collective bargaining, same as any unionization
How does a strike work in this case? Stop paying rent?
That's correct, but it's not just "stop paying rent", as that's illegal. In general, a tenant union would either facilitate or assist with helping the tenants set up a rent escrow to be released when the problem is solved and the rent strike ends
Escrow or not, if the landlord doesn't get his monies, you go living under the bridge. Problem solved.
Actually no, tenants have a right to a livable space. This includes but is not limited to running water, electricity, heating, and functional appliances. Say for example that there's a bug problem in a building. There's a legal process so tenants can place rent in escrow and get relocated at the cost of the landlord until the problem is solved. A tenant union assists with that process. Tenant unions often also negotiate the price of rent, to keep it affordable. To me, this sentiment is the same as "you'll be fired for union organizing". The chance is there, but fearmongering doesn't help.
Well, that's not how it works in the UK. Once you withhold any monies, you lose all your rights and protections.
Even in the most dystopian places of the US that's not how it works.
What leverage do you have though? You can't go on strike, you're legally obliged to pay the rent you agreed to. You can't withdraw your labour, because you don't do any.
You could work with a court and do something like put it in escrow so the court can see you not paying rent isn't just because you can't. Instead it's about withholding money from landlord to begin negotiations. Basically still acting in good faith but also withholding money to give you leverage. IANAL
Double-check this for your state. For instance, in Ohio if your landlord is not keeping up on their end of maintaining the property you can go to the court and set up an escrow account with them that will hold your rent payments until ALL of the work is completed to YOUR standards, not theirs or the court's, and they are legally barred from taking any action against you for the duration and just about anything they do afterward is immediately suspect of being viewed as "retributive action" which is illegal under the state's renter's rights laws. Always read your rights for your state.
Not sure, but it'd be cool for an entire building to withhold rent for building repairs, or repairs for an individual.
You can typically do that without a union though.
probably easier with a union. You show the landlord you are well... a union... and in it together
I'm not sure if a union is the right term for that, but organising as a group and having a spokesperson is definitely a good idea.