This can be a useful tactic of final resort for use against intransigent landlords, but can carry risks for the tenants, such as eviction, lowered credit scores, and legal consequences.
Historically, rent strikes have often been used in response to various hardships faced by tenants, however, there have been situations where wider societal issues have led to such action.
[1][3] In these cases, tenant unions may establish a strike fund or other form of crowdfunding to help support strikers, particularly against legal threats.
[1][6] Some of the earliest evidence of collectively withholding rent comes from the 15th century, where it was noted in arrears lists as quia tenentes negant solvere, (lit.
[1][2][3][5] Frequently cases of rent strikes have gone unreported or under reported by perennial news sources, with details often shared via word of mouth.