International Tenants’ Day 2024

It´s soon time for the annual International Tenants´ Day. The first Monday in October was established in 1986 as a global day for tenants. Ahead of each international tenants day, the IUT board select a relevant theme or topic to frame this occasion. This year, on October 7^th, the IUT is celebrating the international tenants day by highlighting and promoting the following theme:

Strengthening Democracy and Housing Rights: The Vital Role of Tenant Organizations

”2024 is a super-election year. Around 49% of people in the world are meant to participate in national, and european, elections. In these elections it is essential that the voices of renters are heard, their rights protected, and their communities strengthened through collective action and advocacy.” – Marie Linder, President IUT

The presence of robust tenant organizations is vital not only for tenants but also for promoting democracy in society. During times of war, increased insecurity, and the emergence of undemocratic states, the significance of the tenants’ movement is greatly emphasized.  Therefore, it is crucial that the IUT takes steps to safeguard the freedom of association, facilitate the establishment of new tenant associations, and strengthen already existing ones.  

Ensuring Housing as a Fundamental Right is essential. Housing is a fundamental right, recognized by Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The housing crisis is not a force of nature; it is a consequence of inadequate policies at both the regional and national. We uphold democracy and human rights by promoting strong tenant organizations, recognizing housing as a fundamental right and addressing housing insecurity while also enhancing civil liberties.

The IUT encourages its members to observe and celebrate the international tenants day in their own capacity and supports its members in making their own choice at a national or regional level as to which sub-themes they may want to promote and which events they wish to organise.

Help us to spread the word and send pictures and descriptions of your events so we may publish them on the IUT website. Please send it to info@iut.nu.

International Tenants Day originated in 1986 when the French tenant organisation CNL proposed a special world day for tenants. The board of the IUT agreed and decided on May 22 1986, to designate the first Monday in October as International Tenants’  Day. The IUT announces a theme each year but tenant organisations are of course free to choose their own topic/theme for this day.

The date chosen by the IUT Board was made with the background of the UN resolution taken in December 1985, by the UN General Assembly, to designate the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day.

Event suggestions include:

• Organise a discussion or debate either physical or online on how your city or community can act and contribute to a fairer deal for Tenants
• Organise a film screening either physical or online to bring people together in a common space and promote local creativity.
• Use this occasion to publicise, reward and demonstrate tangible improvements in Tenant issues in your community.
• Engage a well-known person or local expert to support your event to bring positive attention to The International Tenants’ Day
• Organise public information campaigns, use local actors, musicians, or poets to create awareness of the issues affecting your city or community.
• Approach local media to write articles, do radio or television pieces on the themes, or organise interviews or panels with policymakers, government officials, academics, journalists, other professionals, and Tenant representatives.
• Essay writing or painting competitions can help create awareness of International Tenants’ Day in schools and colleges.
• Offer a university lecture or Master class on the theme of the International Tenants’ Day
• Organise a picture exhibition
• Launch reports and projects about the theme of the International Tenants’ Day
• Organise video interviews with Tenant champions
• Organize a donation event to assist your city or community
• Engage in a Twitter chat on the theme of International Tenants’ Day
• Promote and create a web page or a web banner on your website with information about the International Tenants’ Day
• Promote International Tenants’ Day through social media

The IUT supports its members in making their own choice at a national or regional level as to which sub-themes they may want to promote and which events they wish to organise.

Please send pictures and descriptions of your events so we can publish them on the iut. nu website. Please send it to info@iut.nu.