The Oakland Tenants Union is an organization of housing activists. OTU's core values are to protect and expand tenant rights and interests. OTU works directly with tenants in their struggle with landlords, impacts legislation and public policy about housing, community education, and works with other organizations committed to furthering renters’ rights. The Oakland Tenants Union is open to anyone who shares its core values and believes that tenants have the power and responsibility to advocate on their own behalf.

You can read OTU's bylaws here. This version of the bylaws was approved and ratified on November 9, 2020.

OTU Structure & Committees

OTU is a member-run organization and decisions are made democratically by our members. However, we have committees that accomplish important tasks between and during our monthly general member meetings. OTU currently has three committees and a Steering Committee. The Policy Committee is responsible for advancing OTU's policy goals and actions. For more information on our past wins, visit our Past Campaigns page. The Education & Counseling Committee is responsible for managing our bimonthly tenants' rights clinic and our phone and email hotlines. They also hold workshops and other events. The Outreach & Communications Committee is responsible for managing OTU's website and social media accounts and doing member outreach.

Join OTU

OTU is a member-run organization. Anyone who lives or works in Oakland and is not a landlord or property manager is eligible to join. Dues are $10 a year can can be paid online, by cash at an OTU meeting, or by check. For more information or to join, email info@oaklandtenantsunion.org.