What Renters Want Most From Their Landlord

Finding the right rental is not only about the price, location or number of bedrooms. Renters are also paying close attention to the person who owns the property. A new survey found that over 70% of renters have passed on a home because they were worried about the landlord.

A Bad Landlord Can Drive Renters Away

One in five renters surveyed said they dislike their current landlord. Poor communication was the most common complaint. About 68% of renters said they had problems getting clear or helpful answers from a landlord.

Property Care Is Another Major Concern

Over 65% of renters complained about poor property maintenance. This could include landlords who are slow to make repairs or who do not take care of problems inside the home. Frequent rent increases were another big concern, mentioned by over 40% of renters.

Small Landlords Are More Popular

About 63% of renters said they would rather rent from a small, independent landlord than a large rental company. Smaller landlords may be able to offer more personal service and respond more quickly when a tenant needs help.

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Renters May Pay More for a Good Landlord

About 67% of renters said they would pay slightly more for a landlord with an excellent reputation. For New York landlords, the findings show that good communication and quick repairs may help attract and keep dependable tenants.

Methods That Were Used

In June 2026, IPX, did a survey of over 900 renters from everywhere across the U.S. They asked renters about their thoughts on landlords and rental properties, here is more of what they found out.

10 Important Things To Do Before Renting Any Property

Many people have investment properties, which they rent out to tenants with a mutual expectation that things will go well.

However, that is not always the case. In one such high-profile incident, profiled in New York Magazine, Suzanne Seggerman’s legendary NYC loft was demolished by a "monster tenant" who appeared perfect on paper and online. It was later discovered that this tenant had destroyed other properties.

That led to her creating 'Seggerman’s 10 Landlord Tips', which will be extremely helpful to all landlords. These tips are also good for tenants to be aware of as some can be used to check on potential landlords and ensure they're taking steps to protect their properties.

Gallery Credit: David Drew

7 Ways To Protect Yourself From Becoming The Victim Of A Vacation Rental Property Scam

Before you book a vacation rental property, there are seven steps you should take in order to avoid becoming the victim of a vacation rental property scam.

Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor