There’s so much focus put on homeowners and the problems they’re facing in our current economic climate, but what about all the renters out there? There’s been a 10 percent increase in renters in the past five years according to the Census Bureau, and a whole new world of problems as landlords face the threat of foreclosure and instability. What are these issues? And what are a renter’s current rights?

Mike Vraa, managing attorney at Home Line (a nonprofit Minnesota statewide tenant advocacy organization), speaks to the issues he’s increasingly hearing about from tenants. And Takeaway work and personal finance contributor Beth Kobliner offers tips and resources for renters.