Last year, NAA observed the proliferation of tenant unions across markets and housing provider portfolios. States and localities have a variety of laws concerning tenant unions and their conduct. Tenant union-related legislation may increase this year.
Features of a Tenant Union
Tenant unions are groups of rental property residents that jointly coordinate and advocate to achieve certain goals. These unions can be made up of smaller tenant associations which typically operate in one building, property or development. In contrast, a tenant union can comprise renters from multiple properties across a geographic area, housing provider portfolio or even lender portfolio.
Despite their growing impact on the rental industry over the past century, tenant unions are rarely defined in statute and exist in a wide range of state and local contexts that influence their activities and strength.
Surveying the Statutory Landscape
The most common piece of state legislation that has defined landlord-tenant union relations is the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act, which has been at least partially adopted in 21 states. This law prohibits retaliation against residents for engaging in a tenant union.
Still, some states have adopted further protections for renters’ groups: California, New York and Washington, D.C. offer the most expansive residential tenant rights for organizing. These states offer strong protections for tenant unions to operate within a building, whether that be holding meetings or canvassing.
In Michigan, MI SB 282 was introduced on May 1, 2025 and would establish the rights of tenants in Michigan to form tenant unions and engage in activities such as distributing literature and holding meetings.
Furthermore, Washington, D.C. has introduced DC B 26-0202 which would require the city’s Social Housing Coordinating Council to include tenant association representatives and would also provide these associations with a budget of 1.5% of the cumulative annual rent collected at their respective district-owned development properties.
Local jurisdictions can provide further protections for tenant unions by explicitly outlining a tenant's right to organize, such as in Seattle, WA and Berkeley, CA. In 2022, San Francisco amended their Administrative Code to require housing providers to allow tenant organizing activities to occur in common areas, recognize tenant associations and attend some meetings upon request.
NAA’s Outlook
Owners and operators should consult local counsel to best understand the unique requirements of their market.
The complex patchwork of local, state and federal laws regarding tenant unions can have significant impacts on property operations and, at their worst, a dampening effect on the already squeezed housing market. The National Apartment Association (NAA) will continue to work with its state and local affiliates to advocate for reducing unnecessary regulations, which would expand housing supply, increase apartment options for renters and improve the health and stability of the rental housing industry.