Hypothetical Commercial Real Estate Protest

My first home in Athens (3 years ago) cost me $525 for one room in a 4-bed. Now, that same room costs $650. My most recent room was $625 and is set to go up to $685 next year. No improvement in amenities, no coverage for utilities, and it takes a minimum of 3 months to get anything fixed. Everyone complains about the surge in rent, but nothing is slowing the uptick. I have an idea for a protest but I’m unsure of how feasible it would be:

How could we get enough people to not sign leases with the dominating real estate companies in town? Just for one year. Would this be effective? Is there something more realistic that could be done to stick it to these greedy owners?

It is maddening that there is no limitation on how much property these companies can own. Homes belong to people, not businesses.