The Tenant Class

Ricardo Tranjan

• Publisher: Between the Lines
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781771136228
• eBook ISBN: 9781771136235
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Social Classes & Economic Disparity
• Index: Politics & International Relations

In this trailblazing manifesto, political economist Ricardo Tranjan places tenants and landlords on either side of the class divide that splits North American society.

What if there is no housing crisis, but instead a housing market working exactly as intended? What if rent hikes and eviction notices aren't the work of the invisible hand of the market, but of a parasitic elite systematically funneling wealth away from working-class families? With clarity and precision, Tranjan breaks down pervasive myths about renters, mom-and-pop landlords, and housing affordability. In a society where home ownership is seen as the most important hallmark of a successful life, Tranjan refuses to absolve the landlords and governments that reap massive profits from the status quo.

The tenant class must face powerful systems of disinformation and exploitation to secure decent homes and fair rent. Drawing upon a long, inspiring history of collective action in Canada, Tranjan argues that organized tenants have the power to fight back.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction: The Housing Crisis That Isn’t
• One: Tenants, a Social Class
• Two: Myths about the Tenant Class
• Three: But What about the Landlords?
• Four: A History of Struggle
• Five: Tenant Organizing Today
• Six: Pick a Side
• Notes
• Index