OP-ED: Tenants Building Power in a Broken System

In times of uncertainty, despair, and chaos, we hope that everyone reading this, especially tenants, can find even a small glimmer of hope and encouragement. At Baltimore Renters United, we stand firmly in the belief that HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT. Homes should not be treated as profit machines, as they are the foundation of safety, dignity, and stability.

Across the country, we are witnessing a powerful rise in tenant organizing, and it’s happening for a reason. Far too many slumlords force families to live with mold, rodent infestations, no heat, no running water, leaking ceilings, and so much more. This behavior contributes to risking the health and futures of children and families because profit is more important, especially to corporate landlords. 

People on the outside often ask, “Why don’t tenants just pick up and move?” The truth is simple: most low-income tenants don’t have that luxury. Moving requires money, time, transportation, and options, things many tenants, especially low-income people, are systematically denied. And for many who can move, the only available housing is even more unaffordable or in worse condition. The system traps people, then blames them for being trapped.

When we talk about “affordable housing,” we have to ask the question, “affordable for whom?”  If you are spending more than 30% of your income on rent, it’s not affordable. Plans and promises from city officials when they mention “affordable housing” may sound exciting, but even if Baltimore produced all the affordable housing that’s being talked about, it wouldn’t solve the crisis created by slumlords who operate with little oversight and even less regard for human life.

We recognize that current systems are in place as safeguards for tenants. But most tenants have reported to us that far too often those very same systems fail due to lack of accountability and enforcement. These systems include 311 and Rent Escrow.

Reporting unsafe and uninhabitable conditions to 311 is a tenant’s first line of defense. However, many tenants report persistent accountability issues throughout the inspection process. Some inspectors do not communicate or follow up with tenants after an inspection is completed, leaving renters uncertain about the status or outcome of their case. In other instances, cases are closed without notifying tenants, preventing them from verifying whether violations were actually addressed. Tenants also report that their complaints are sometimes not entered into the system at all, entered inaccurately, or left without updates, creating gaps in the official record. These failures undermine trust in the enforcement process, allow hazardous conditions to persist, and leave tenants with little recourse when landlords or agencies fail to act. Inspectors have also been known to falsely report that repairs were completed, further frustrating tenants’ efforts to obtain safe living conditions. 

Rent escrow allows tenants to pay rent to the court instead of their landlord when serious repair issues go unaddressed. In most cases, the landlord is given up to 30 days to complete the necessary repairs. If the repairs are made, a follow-up inspection is conducted, and the court holds a final hearing to confirm whether the repairs meet legal standards.

However, the process is often undermined. Some landlords delay repairs intentionally, retaliate against tenants for filing escrow cases, show up unannounced without notice, or complete only minimal repairs just before the court date to appear compliant. Landlords make false statements during rent escrow proceedings, such as: “The tenant won’t let contractors in,” “The tenant changed the locks,” or “The tenant is violent.” These narratives attempt to shift blame onto the tenant, despite the fact that tenants only filed escrow because the landlord failed to act in the first place. It’s asinine to suggest tenants would obstruct repairs they’ve been demanding. Unfortunately, these tactics frequently go unchecked.

Our intention is not to discourage tenants from using these systems if necessary, but to highlight the urgent need for reform. We want you to report every violation and make every complaint count, because each one builds the record of landlord neglect and mismanagement that the city can no longer ignore. 

Here are a few more essential tips every tenant should know. Your landlord must be licensed. To verify this, you can check the status of their registration at The Baltimore City Housing Department (417 E. Fayette Street). If a landlord who is not licensed tries to take you to court for failure to pay rent, you have the power to present that proof and protect yourself.

As of July 2025, a Tenant Bill of Rights was implemented in Maryland.  Landlords are now required to include a copy of this Maryland Tenants Bill of Rights document in every lease even if you are getting your lease renewed. 

Document everything and keep records of repairs, conversations, violations, and unsafe conditions. Every photo, every message, every report builds a foundation that slumlords cannot ignore and the city cannot dismiss. Forming tenant unions isn’t just encouraged, it’s transformative. When tenants come together, slumlords lose their ability to intimidate. The truth is simple: they need us far more than we need them. 

To every tenant reading this, we want to be absolutely clear. You have a place to vent, to learn, and to reclaim your power in Baltimore Renters United. Progress won’t be instant. There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments of frustration. But what is happening in Baltimore today makes one thing undeniable: slumlords cannot continue to endanger families, children, and vulnerable residents without facing consequences.

Baltimore Renters United offers training to help tenants jumpstart their organizing journey. We know that in times of uncertainty, organizing might not feel like the first priority, and that’s okay. We are committed to sharing knowledge, tools, and support that empower tenants to advocate for themselves and others. Sometimes a single piece of information can spark confidence, build courage, and open the door to collective power. And we’re here to make sure tenants never have to take that first step alone.

To learn more visit our website baltimorerentersunited.org. You can reach out to us via email info@bmorerentersunited.org or call 443-863-9607.