Tenants Rights

Banner reading "I'm not a tourist - I live here!!!" hung on balcony in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona Buys Building to Prevent Tenant Evictions

One apartment building — and its tenants who faced eviction — became a potent symbol of the city’s growing housing crisis.

February 24, 2025 - Bloomberg CityLab

Maryland State House building in Annapolis, Maryland.

Opinion: Why Passing ‘Good Cause’ Eviction Matters

A proposed bill would require landlords who don’t renew leases to provide a reason, helping prevent capricious retaliation against tenants while still holding tenants who don’t obey the terms of their lease responsible.

February 12, 2025 - Greater Greater Washington

Top floors of blue and white apartment building with palm trees against sunny blue sky in Malibu, California.

LA County Leaders Seek to Increase Penalties for Rent Gouging

Landlords who raise rents sharply after disasters could face fines of up to $50,000.

February 11, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

Skyline of Hartford, Connecticut as seen from across river.

Connecticut Program Prevented Eviction for Thousands of Households

A ‘right to counsel’ program that offers legal aid to residents facing eviction has saved the state $36 million.

January 26, 2025 - The CT Mirror

Eviction notice and envelope on wood floor.

California Law Extends Response Time for Renters Facing Eviction

The change in the timeline from five to 10 days could offer a lifeline for tenants who often lack easy access to legal aid.

December 26, 2024 - CALmatters

Aerial view of downtown Rochester, New York with river and bridge in foreground.

Rochester Approves Tenant Protections

The city adopted the strictest possible version of New York state’s ‘Good Cause’ eviction protections, which cap rent increases at 10 percent.

December 26, 2024 - WXXI News

Aerial view of manufactured housing mobile home park in rural area.

Rural Renters at Increased Risk of Eviction

Rural residents often have a harder time accessing legal assistance and eviction prevention resources.

December 23, 2024 - The Daily Yonder

Close-up of laptop with real estate listings shown on map.

Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI

Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.

December 2, 2024 - CALmatters

Michigan state capitol dome in Lansing, Michigan.

Michigan Lawmakers Urged to Pass Housing Laws

A raft of proposed bills would protect renters from steep rent increases and ban discrimination based on criminal record and source of income, but the legislature only has a short amount of time to pass them.

November 19, 2024 - Michigan Live

Colorful multistory apartment builfings in SoHo neighborhood of New York City.

NYC Bans Charging Tenants Broker’s Fees

Landlords can no longer tack on thousands of dollars in fees to new tenants to pay brokers who show rental units.

November 18, 2024 - Curbed

Close-up of For Lease sign in window of shop storefront with city sidewalk and vintage street light in background.

New California Law Protects Commercial Tenants

The law, modeled on residential tenants’ rights, acknowledges the uneven power dynamics between many small business owners and their commercial landlords.

October 15, 2024 - Next City

Close-up of eviction notice taped on house door.

DOJ: ‘Nuisance’ Evictions Could Break Federal Law

Ordinances that allow landlords to evict tenants for nuisance complaints or alleged criminal activity may run afoul of federal protections, the DOJ warns.

September 18, 2024 - Winona Post

air conditioner unit on brick building wiht sunflowers.

Chicago Tenants’ Union Distributes AC Units to Low-Income Renters

The group wants to draw attention to the dangers of extreme heat and encourage tenants to organize to demand improved conditions.

July 16, 2024 - Next City

Close-up of rental agreement with pen and black-rimmed glasses.

California Law Limits Security Deposits for Renters

Starting this month, landlords can no longer charge multiple months’ rent for security deposits.

July 10, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Panoramic view of downtown Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Renter ‘Cash Back’ Program Rewards On-Time Rent Payments

The state is exploring a program that gives people a cash incentive for paying rent to offer renters some of the financial incentives homeowners receive.

June 27, 2024 - Next City

Residential neighborhood in Colorado with fall foliage and snowy mountains in background.

Colorado Ends Non-Family Occupancy Limits

Local jurisdictions will no longer be able to limit how many unrelated adults can live in a household, a move that supporters say will help lower housing costs and help older adults supplement their incomes and stay in their homes.

May 24, 2024 - Strong Towns

Apartment For Rent Sign

HUD Proposal Would Soften ‘One-Strike’ Policy

Formerly incarcerated people are often barred from publicly subsidized housing, putting them at higher risk for homelessness and recidivism.

May 20, 2024 - Truthout

Close-up of bronze symbolic Justice statue of blindfolded woman holding up scales.

San Francisco Right to Counsel Program Prevents Hundreds of Evictions

A city program that gives at-risk tenants the right to a lawyer helped over 90 percent of participants avoid eviction.

April 30, 2024 - 48 hills

Aerial view of Annapolis, Maryland with state capitol dome in foreground.

Maryland Housing Laws Address Housing Shortage, Establish Renter Protections

An ambitious housing package establishes a Renters Bill of Rights and removes barriers to increased housing production.

April 29, 2024 - Office of Governor Wes Moore

Aerial view of gold state capitol dome in Denver, Colorado and Denver skyline.

Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions

In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.

April 23, 2024 - Colorado Politics

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