Seeing a lot of folks considering or doing rent strikes, so let's talk basic strategy and planning tips when organizing...!

1. Stay under the radar from the landlord as much as possible for as long as possible. Some landlords are hyper reactive and defensive in unexpected ways and don't want their tenants even communicating at all.

2. Don't just decide you're not going to pay rent for a month and then think everything is fine & dandy. Shit can go SOUTH if you don't have a plan of action decided upon by for all tenants.

Build hella solidarity so you don't fall apart when the landlord goes on the offensive.

3. When going into bargaining calls, you always want to have a strong, unified front between tenants.

Any disagreements/quarrels must be INVISIBLE to the landlord. Debate solutions as a group in privacy, be united like a rock wall in bargaining.

4. Bargaining is kinda like negotiating freelance rates. You want the high-in-the-sky demands that you'll start with, knowing you'll probably be compromised down.

But you want to fight for these, push for these, speak like you will not go lower.

You'll also have a bare minimum. If the landlord refuses to meet these, have a course of action to force them to meet this set of demands. You gotta power move them into agreeing to it.

These are DEMANDS. Not sweet little requests.

5. When on bargaining calls, have one or two designated speakers for the group. Everyone else will be silent unless they have specified roles (like if the landlord gets aggro, people clap loudly at the landlord until they stop yelling so you can control the conversation)

6. Make sure all tenants understand where your power comes from. Educate each other and build relationships before going into the fight. Ask people to leave petty quarrels at the door. If you can, get organizer training from a union if you can find 1 that is training digitally rn

7. Record all calls with the landlord, but CHECK your local laws to make sure this is legal. in IL, all parties must give consent. Have everyone in the call state their name and give consent at the beginning of the call.

If your landlord offers to record it, don't trust them.

8. Nothing matters until it is in writing. Once you've come to an agreement, translate it into a contract AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and have everyone sign it within a day if possible so the landlord has no time to change their mind.

9. The more units you can in on the agreement, the better. It strengthens your leverage. Even tenants that are "doing fine" should be encouraged to join the group in order to help those that are struggling, but they should be DEDICATED to helping the group and unwilling to cave.

10. Have everyone read common union-busting tactics. Cruel landlords use the same strategies.

It's almost funny- they're SO petty and predictable. Be ready for the storm, even if your landlord seems nice. They can turn on a dime depending on who they're talking to.

11. Never lie (exaggeration IS lying, btw) when talking to the landlord or building solidarity. Hold yourself to a high standard of good faith and patience. The moment you show cracks, they'll attack. Don't give them that chance.

12. Have designated note takers when on call or in tenant meetings. They should take thorough notes that will immediately be accessible to the full group. Google docs is great for this. Stay logistically organized.

13. Seek guidance, ideally from multiple experienced organizers or folks that are familiar with organizing. Make a group chat if possible to consult with them and ask questions and converse strategy.

Gotta get back to work, hope this helps. Feel free to drop your own advice! Good luck out there y'all, solidarity forever