"These findings underline what we have long known. Smaller, individual landlords are an essential part of the rental market and consistently deliver some of the best outcomes for tenants"
- Ben Beadle - NRLA
A new poll of UK private renters shows that tenants generally have a more positive experience renting directly from individual landlords than through letting agents or companies.
The research, conducted by Pegasus Insights and based on a representative sample of over 3,000 renters, found that 70% of tenants renting from individual landlords described their most recent rental experience as ‘positive’, compared with 60% of those renting via a letting agent. Overall, just 7% of respondents reported a negative experience.
The study also highlights differences in service satisfaction. Eighty-one percent of tenants renting from individual landlords said they were satisfied with the service they received. This compares with 73% of tenants renting from build-to-rent companies and 68% of those renting through letting agents.
The findings reinforce the beneficial role played by smaller landlords, who often manage only a few properties and are able to maintain personal and responsive relationships with tenants. These relationships are cited as a key factor in tenant satisfaction and in supporting a healthy rental market.
“These findings underline what we have long known. Smaller, individual landlords are an essential part of the rental market and consistently deliver some of the best outcomes for tenants,” said Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association.
“As ministers continue to reform the private rented sector, it’s vital they recognise the positive role of responsible landlords, as well as the importance of trust-based relationships between tenants and landlords. Policy decisions, and the rhetoric around the sector, must be informed by these facts.”
