City of Wilmington Autonomous Tenant Union

07/22/2026

Wilmington renters are fighting for repairs. This city rent escrow program just made withholding rent a little easier. Now renters can put their withheld rent into an escrow account while they negotiate with the landlord to get repairs.

But withholding rent is a complicated process-- Delaware's Landlord Tenant Code does not allow rent withholding in all repair cases, and limits how much you can withhold. So when your landlord is refusing to make repairs, here are a few tips:

--------> Get a lawyer first! Find free legal help from Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. - CLASI, Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, and Delaware Legal Services Corporation.

---------- > Notify your landlord IN WRITING about the repairs and keep receipts if you've paid for any repairs

----------> Keep photo evidence of the repairs needed

-----------> Don't spend the rent money--- stick it in an escrow account!

Check out more about the City of Wilmington Rent Escrow Program at the link below

The City of Wilmington's Rent Escrow Program helps protect eligible renters living in unsafe housing conditions. Through the program, qualifying tenants may be permitted to place their rent into a secure escrow account while certain life safety violations are addressed. 

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

Neighbor to neighbor. Block by block. We're teaching you how to build a tenant union. Join us from 10 to 4pm at the Wilmington Public Library with HOMES Campaign

04/25/2026

How well do you know the Landlord Tenant Code?
Join us at the Renters Rising Tenant Summit at the Wilmington Library today between 10 and 4pm
See you soon!

04/15/2026

Do you care about affordable housing? Do care about tenant rights? Do you think the rent is too high in Delaware? Join our Renters Rising Tenant Summit! Whether you rent, own, or are experiencing homelessness, this space is for you! Saturday April 25th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Register here: or link in bio: https://actionnetwork.org/events/2026-renters-conference/