The Rent Strike

The Story of Ireland's Housing Rebellion

Overview

From 1970 to 1973 more than 100,000 tenants throughout Ireland went on rent strike in protest against rent increases, poor housing conditions and a rising cost of living. Their campaign, led by the National Association of Tenants Organisations (NATO), lasted for three long years before ending in success in August 1973. This is their story, told through interviews with people who organised and participated in the campaign and their relatives. Though its success changed Irish housing policy forever, this story of Irish working class history is little documented and remembered - this documentary is a first in its attempt to summarise one of the state's biggest mass movements.