We are former tenants of Equity Residential (EQR),
and we are on debt strike!
During the Covid-19 pandemic EQR made $3,166,122,000 (net income 2020-2022)and its CEO made $27,326,269 over the same period while we lost our jobs and accumulated rent debt. Today many of us are struggling to find housing and stable work while they continue to profit. We say, enough! Abolish rent debt! Let’s build the power of tenants and debtors everywhere to democratize housing!
WHY A DEBT STRIKE?
Usually when a tenant cannot pay rent they are quickly evicted. But during the pandemic, governments put temporary rules in place to keep tenants housed even if they lost their jobs and could not pay rent. But those unpaid months added up as rent debt. After the pandemic, if tenants couldn’t pay the full amount they owed, they got evicted, and all that accumulated debt went with them. Now they have an eviction on their record and often owe tens of thousands of dollars to their former landlords. Abolish rent debt!
WHAT IS RENT DEBT?
MEET THE STRIKERS
THE EQR 9
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In 2021, I was unable to pay my rent due to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on my small business. My income came to a complete halt, and I was out of work for 18 months. During that time, I relocated from the East Coast to Northridge, Los Angeles, in hopes of finding new opportunities and rebuilding my client base. Starting over was challenging without any immediate income, and I fell behind on rent, ultimately owing $25,000 to EQR. However, due to a court decision, that debt was removed from my credit report.
I joined the EQR Debtors Group because I believe in standing up against the predatory practices of EQR. They have a long history of targeting minorities, neglecting property maintenance, and repeatedly violating housing safety laws. This landlord repeatedly violates housing codes and engages in retaliatory actions against tenants. I want to be a voice for past and present tenants who feel powerless and unaware that they are being taken advantage of. I’m especially committed to fighting against RUBS fees, deceptive practices, and the consistent housing violations that EQR continues to commit.
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I lived in an Equity Residential building called Mozaic in Los Angeles for five years. After starting a tenants association, and going on a historic RUBS strike, management harassed me for years. When I moved out, they took my entire deposit and claimed I owe an additional $195. Over that measly $195, they’ve sent me to collections. I can’t pay– and I won’t pay. Corporate landlords like Equity made $2 billion in profit while ignoring leaking ceilings, flooding, and mold; they don’t deserve another cent.
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I lived in EQR The Hesby in North Hollywood, CA. Due to the Writer’s & Actors Strike in Los Angeles, We lost jobs and couldn’t pay the second month of our rent in July of 2023. We were awarded 6 months of rent relief due to the strike yet EQR refused to comply with our rental assistance accruing us debt and without a place to live. I owe $13,333.33, was evicted and displaced from Los Angeles and even had to live in my car temporarily. I can’t pay and won’t pay.
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I lived in EQR’s The Hesby in North Hollywood,CA. Because of the Actor’s & Writer’s strike & EQR restricting the online pay portal, I couldn’t pay the rent. EQR then refused to accept my rental relief after trying to take my sister and I to court. We have been evicted, homeless and have slept in our car and still owe $13,333. I can’t pay & WON’T PAY.
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Story Coming Soon
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Hello world!
I am Angel Speed and I was a resident of Equity Residential. I lived at EQR Versailles of Woodland Hills, but for the past three years, I have been un-housed. After living there for 6 months, we requested a copy of our lease. To which I was informed they had no records of us ever renting the apartment. Due to nefarious tactics like displacement these corporate landlords are destroying people’s lives to facilitate profits. This is a systemic problem that will spread if left unchecked.
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My name is DANI and I owe EQUITY RESIDENTIAL over $ 23,000 in back rent.
I am a disabled, retired Healthcare Professional with over 27 years in the field.
To me, home means Community, Family and a place to restore your life-energy.
Being in debt and homeless makes me feel ashamed, enraged, isolated and defeated.
One thing people should know about equity residential is they are criminals. There were others in the country dealing with the same issues.
Now I feel inspired by the DEBT COLLECTIVE which makes me feel like part of a team with the ability to fight and WIN!
I can't pay EQUITY RESIDENTIAL and I won't pay EQUITY RESIDENTIAL!
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Story Coming Soon
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We moved in at the beginning of 2020. Because of the pandemic I lost my most stable music gigs and contracts … and still it’s very unstable for me professionally. I owed a lot of months but was able to qualify for the city programs (rent protection l) like ERAP and other similar programs. Additionally I got a few months of help through a music foundation (California Jazz Foundation) …. But since they can’t help more than a couple of times … I’m in the same situation “again”.
A WORD FROM HANNAH APPEL
Co-founder of the debt collective
“In 2015 the Debt Collective launched the nation's first student debt strike against a predatory for-profit college. The Corinthian 15 were 15 debt strikers who started a national movement which eventually led to student debt abolition for everyone who owed money to Corinthian Colleges, to the tune of $5.8 billion cancelled for 560,000 former students of Corinthian Colleges by 2022. Now, ten years later, we're back for more.
The EQR 9 are debt strikers who lost jobs during the pandemic, and fell behind on rent to Equity Residential, one of the nation's largest and most profitable corporate landlords. Today, they have been evicted for these debts, and are struggling to find housing, now carrying tens of thousands of dollars in back rent debt. In the meantime, Equity Residential continues to rake in cash and pay its CEO billions all while raising rents and using profits to fight against tenants rights.
Like the Corinthian 15 before them, the EQR 9 say, "Can't Pay Won't Pay!"
Together with EQR tenants and debtors, we're here to build the organized power we need to transform housing from an investment vehicle for the wealthy to what it should be: home for families, for communities, for everyone.”
Are you a former tenant that Equity Residential claims owes money?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to accept it quietly.
Former tenants and EQR debt strikers are fighting back. We’ve created the Landlord Reporting & Rent Debt Tool to help current and former tenants challenge unfair rent and utility debt.
This tool helps you demand proper validation and dispute alleged debts with collection agencies and credit bureaus, using documentation based on practices Equity Residential is known to use in its buildings.
Take back control. Use the tool to start disputing your debt today