Berkeley Tenants Union

The 2026 Berkeley Tenants Convention is coming up on March 15! To run as a candidate, apply by February 18.

berkeleytenants.org/convention

California tenants living outside Alameda and Contra Costa counties should call @tenantstogether.bsky.social at 888-495-8020 for counseling (both for responding to evictions and for general assistance).

If a landlord threatens eviction for ANY reason, *immediately* email info@berkeleytenants.org with the subject line "I AM BEING EVICTED" so we can help. Because of extremely unfair legal deadlines for (even illegal) evictions, it's crucial to react ASAP. Do NOT wait to use our clinic for evictions.

Berkeley Tenants Union January 29, 2026 Counseling Clinic Intake **If your landlord threatens to evict you for ANY reason, immediately email info@berkeleytenants.org with the subject line "I AM BEING EVICTED" so we can provide you help ASAP. (California tenants out...

Are you unable to pay rent or having trouble with your landlord? Our next FREE counseling clinic with tenant attorneys for East Bay tenants is Thursday, January 29 at 3-5pm! The sign-up deadline is this Sunday, January 25 (i.e. FOUR days beforehand).

Join BTU’s Discord to stay connected, chat with fellow organizers, and keep up to date on important events!

discord.gg/tSUf4j6F35

Join us for the first BTU meeting of the new year at 4:00 PM on January 25th at the Grassroots House, run by your newly elected steering committee! The meeting will be a potluck as well, all are welcome! 🥘🍪

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Meet your new Berkeley Tenants Union Steering Committee! 🏠
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Greystar, several states reach $7 million settlement over alleged rent fixing Greystar, a property management company with locations in Berkeley, reached a $7 million settlement as part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against RealPage last Tuesday.

"“While I’m happy that this settlement seems to be halting Greystar’s use of price fixing software like RealPage… just $7 million for a landlord [of] 950,000 units… is not sufficient to disincentivize other landlords from forming effective cartels in the future,” said [BTU Chair] Avery Arbaugh."

We stand with #PasadenaGatewayVillas and the Pasadena Tenants Association as they organize against their new landlord Hines, who is leveraging junk fees, coercive lease changes, & retaliation to squeeze tenants out.

As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.

“By embracing tactics from organized labor—including launching multi-building unions, waging prolonged rent strikes and demanding democratic negotiations — TUF-affiliated tenant unions have won unprecedented concessions from landlords.”

A big thank you to @oaktenantsunion.bsky.social & @dsaeastbay.bsky.social Co-Chair Juan C for moderating this evening’s BTU Steering Committee Candidates Forum!

‘Middle Housing’ aims to reduce costs for entry-level homeownership As of Nov. 1, “middle housing” upzoning changes are in effect across. This policy allows for housing units that reach up to three stories and eight units to be built

"The Berkeley Tenants Union believes that upzoning increases property values and needs to be matched with guarantees for 'increased permanently affordable housing requirements.' [BTU] said current 'middle housing' prioritizes developers’ financial interests"

Don't let the Starbucks ads during the Thanksgiving parade distract from the fact that workers are on strike right now.

Baristas on ULP strike in Richmond, VA holding picket signs.

Say it with us 🗣️: What's disgusting? Union busting!

We're FOURTEEN DAYS into our national ULP strike. Thousands of workers in over 65 cities are out on strike, and this is just the beginning. #nocontractnocoffee

Justice Department to Settle Lawsuit Over Apartment Rental Pricing The case had alleged that RealPage’s software allowed landlords to unfairly coordinate prices.

RealPage allegedly helped landlords price-fix and jack up the cost of rent.

Instead of cracking down, Trump's Justice Department struck a “deal” that lets them continue to rip off renters.

Is that the art of the deal or a sham? RealPage called it "an endorsement."

Tenants are powerful! A tenant union gives renters the collective strength to win safe homes, fair treatment, and accountability. Good for the tenants at @columbiauniversity.bsky.social!

www.columbiaspectator.com/opinion/2025...

Berkeley properties managed by Greystar included in $7 million settlement over rent-fixing America's largest landlord, Greystar, is facing consequences after the real estate giant was accused of colluding to increase rent prices in the Bay Area and in other states.

""There needs to be much larger consequences, which is why it's so important for states and cities and also federal government to pass laws explicitly banning this practice and making sure there are significant penalties for these violations," [BTU Secretary Matthew] Lewis stated."

DEFEND THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILD TENANT POWER Learn About BTU's Upcoming Steering Committee Elections Berkeley Tenants Union Membership Meeting and Potluck Sunday, Nov. 16 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm Grassroots House (2022 Blake St, Berkeley) Sign-up for our emails: bit.ly/BerkeleyTenants

Join us November 16 to learn how to form a tenant union! We’ll also go over the process for our upcoming Steering Committee elections, and more!

We hope to see you November 16 at Grassroots House. Berkeley tenants unite!

Don't Buy Starbucks! At any location, today and beyond, while workers are on ULP strike!

As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.

Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX

DEFEND THE NEIGHBORHOOD BUILD TENANT POWER Learn About BTU's Upcoming Steering Committee Elections Berkeley Tenants Union Membership Meeting and Potluck Sunday, Nov. 16 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm Grassroots House (2022 Blake St, Berkeley) Sign-up for our emails: bit.ly/BerkeleyTenants

Join us November 16 to learn how to form a tenant union! We’ll also go over the process for our upcoming Steering Committee elections, and more!

We hope to see you November 16 at Grassroots House. Berkeley tenants unite!

Tenants in Santa Cruz are stepping up! Santa Cruz County Renters Union is urging renters across the county to join together, share power, and stand strong against neglect, rent hikes, and unfair treatment. 💪

santacruzlocal.org/2025/10/24/s...

California tenants living outside Alameda and Contra Costa counties should call @tenantstogether.bsky.social at 888-495-8020 for counseling (both for responding to evictions and for general assistance).

If a landlord threatens eviction for ANY reason, *immediately* email info@berkeleytenants.org with the subject line "I AM BEING EVICTED" so we can help. Because of extremely unfair legal deadlines for (even illegal) evictions, it's crucial to react ASAP. Do NOT wait to use our clinic for evictions.

Berkeley Tenants Union November 14, 2025 Counseling Clinic Intake **If your landlord threatens to evict you for ANY reason, immediately email info@berkeleytenants.org with the subject line "I AM BEING EVICTED" so we can provide you help ASAP. (California tenants out...

Are you unable to pay rent or having trouble with your landlord? Our next FREE counseling clinic with tenant attorneys for East Bay tenants is FRIDAY, November 14 at 3-5pm! The sign-up deadline is this Sunday, November 9 (i.e. FIVE days beforehand).

Donate to Berkeley Tenants Union PAC Show your support with a contribution.

Want to help BTU get the word out? If you can help put up physical flyers, email info@berkeleytenants.org!

You can also help us pay for the flyers by donating at pac.berkeleytenants.org!

[BTU's Logo] TENANT PROTECTIONS • RENT CONTROL • AFFORDABLE HOUSING Berkeley Tenants Union ALL US CITIZENS WHO WILL BE 18 BY NOVEMBER 4 ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE Vote Yes on Prop 50 Defend Democracy & Affordable Housing Prop 50 is endorsed by [Logos of the ASUC, the Cal Berkeley Democrats BTU, the California Working Families Party, UAW 4811, and California DSA] Register and vote away by Tuesday at either of these locations YWCA Berkeley 2600 Bancroft Way (corner of Bowditch) Eshleman Hall - UCB Public Service Center 2465 Bancroft Way #218 • Saturday through Monday: 9am - 5pm • Tuesday 11/4 (Election Day): 7am - 8pm Habitability problems in your housing? • Showers too hot or too cold? • Thermostats not working? • Not enough laundry machines? • Maintenance problems? Roaches? • Ongoing construction? Elevators not working? BTU can help you with habitability and other tenant issues! Contact us at info@berkeleytenants.org berkeleytenants.org Ad paid for by Berkeley Tenants Union PAC, FPPC 1469678

Vote YES on Prop 50 by Tuesday to defend democracy and affordable housing!

The fact that some of the companies who run the games industry are fighting so hard to stop unionization just proves how much power the workers have when they stand together. This disgusting action only delays the inevitable; solidarity will win.

The Abundance Network, the Loren Taylor money funnel funded by Jesse Pollack, the OPOA, and the Dreyfuss/Abid money network, gave the last of its funds, 15K, to Scott Wiener.

Donate to Berkeley Tenants Union PAC Show your support with a contribution.

Printing flyers and paying canvassers isn't free! Your support is what makes this possible!

You can donate at pac.berkeleytenants.org to help fund this weekend's canvasses!