STEP 1
Join LATU for Strength in Numbers; Protect Yourself from Retaliation
The LA Tenants Union is an autonomous, member-funded union which fights for the human right to housing. From our five years of organizing tenants against evictions, harassment, and displacement, with rent strikes, direct action, and media campaigns, we know there is strength in numbers. One of us is easier to evict than all of us.
So far, the response of our representatives has been far from enough to address the needs of tenants. By joining LATU, you demonstrate the collective power of tenants and help all of us build the power to make demands not requests.
More, joining LATU helps you protect your legal rights. You have rights against retaliation by your landlord for exercising your constitutional right to organize. If you are a member of LATU and your landlord tries to respond to this letter with harassment, a sudden rent increase, or refusal to perform repairs, you may be able to argue in court that this is retaliation against exercising your constitutionally protected right to organize.
STEP 2
Mail the LATU Letter of Non-payment to Your Landlord and Local Rep Every Month You Cannot Pay Rent
Fill out and send this letter to your landlord. Make a copy so that you have documentation that the letter was sent. Send a copy to your local chapter of the L.A. Tenants Union to forward to your representatives in LA’s City Council, so they are aware of your situation and the situation of tenants across LA. Your local can forward the letter for you, or you can find out who your City Council rep is at: https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/elected-officials/city-council
You should send the letter of nonpayment for each month that you cannot pay your rent.
STEP 3
Hang a Grocery Bag outside of your Door
Post it on Social Media with these Hastags #FOODNOTRENT #JoinLATU
Wait… what!? You’re participating in this collective Food Not Rent action, whether by necessity or by choice! Hang a grocery bag on your door to show your neighbors what you’re up to. You can also use the bag to safely share food, medicine and other necessities with your neighbors. Take a picture of your door with the grocery bag and upload it to social media with the hashtags #FoodNotRent #JoinLATU #CantEatTheRent
STEP 4
Notify your local LATU chapter and attend the next chapter meeting
Notify your local LA Tenants Union chapter that you have sent a letter of nonpayment to your landlord. Local chapters are there to bring tenants together, provide support and up-to-date information, and provide a space to gather and share in these uncertain times. You can find your local chapter at: https://latenantsunion.org/en/locals/
To keep our members safe, LATU local meetings are being held over ZOOM for the duration of the crisis. You can join a meeting by computer or phone. Just follow the link on the website above to see the schedule for local meetings and click the ZOOM link.