How to Organize a Tenant Association

A step-by-step guide to building collective tenant power, creating self-reproducing tenant associations, and avoiding organizer burnout.

Step 1 | JOIN TUF

As part of the tenants union, you don’t have to carry the weight alone. We will help you through this process from day one. More importantly, as a neighborhood-wide organization anchored in Flatbush’s long history of working-class organizing, we build the broader power necessary to challenge and transform our housing.

Step 2 | PLAN AND PREPARE

Gather outreach materials and assess your situation before jumping into action. Start with who you already know—if you have a trusted contact or friend in your building, talk to them first. Going in with an ally makes early conversations easier and sets the stage for shared leadership.

Step 3 | CONNECT AND MAP YOUR BUILDING

Talk to neighbors in your building and collect their contact information. Focus on listening twice as much as you talk. Ask open-ended questions about building conditions, overdue repairs, or rent burdens to identify deeply felt issues. Be conscious of the languages spoken in your building—request translators from TUF early on so no one is left out.

Step 4 | FORM A CORE COMMITTEE (2–4 TENANTS)

CRITICAL STEP: Do not hold a building-wide meeting alone!

Relying on a single tenant (like you!) leads directly to isolation and organizer burnout. Before calling a general meeting, build a core group of 2 to 4 committed neighbors to share leadership responsibilities. Forming a core committee ensures your Tenant Association is self-reproducing—meaning it can sustain momentum and withstand emergencies even if individual members move or face personal crises.

Your Core Committee Goals:

• Share essential tasks (outreach, translation, tracking contacts).
• Co-plan meeting agendas and rotate meeting roles (facilitator, note-taker, timekeeper).
• Conduct 1-on-1 check-ins with neighbors to encourage attendance.

Step 5 | BUILD A COMMUNICATION METHOD

Set up an accessible communication channel for tenants to stay in touch, such as a WhatsApp group, Signal chat, or phone chain. Make sure the platform works for everyone and remains accessible in all primary building languages. Use this channel to keep neighbors informed, but remember: mass texts never replace direct 1-on-1 conversations for turnout!

Step 6 | HOLD YOUR FIRST BUILDING MEETING

Pick a time and accessible location that works for most tenants. Prepare the agenda and roles in advance with your core committee. Distribute tasks—such as facilitating, taking notes, or leading specific discussion points—among different tenants so the entire building feels collective ownership over the association.

Step 7 | TAKE ESCALATING ACTION & CONSOLIDATE GAINS

Start with achievable, collective actions to build confidence—such as drafting and delivering a joint demand letter to your landlord. Don’t stop at a single letter or jump straight to a rent strike; build an escalation plan (e.g., group phone-ins, delegations to the landlord’s office, media exposure). Always consolidate early wins to show neighbors that organizing gets results.