New research from Leaders Romans Group (LRG) reveals that tenants generally hold a positive view of their landlords with over half (55%) believing that their landlord provides quality housing, while only 12% express negative sentiment.
This aligns with findings from The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), where 65% of tenants rated independent landlords highly, compared to 46% for corporate landlords.
One landlord shared: “I pride myself on providing good-quality housing and building strong relationships with my tenants.” While one tenant echoed this sentiment, stating: “Our landlord is always responsive and addresses issues quickly, which makes us feel valued.”
Three quarters (75%) of tenants reported receiving responses to maintenance requests within a week, with four out of 10 (41%) receiving assistance in as little as 48 hours. One landlord commented: “I always aim to respond to maintenance requests within 24 hours to ensure my tenants are comfortable.” Another added: “Being a landlord is more than just owning property—it’s about creating a positive experience for tenants.”
BRIDGING THE GAP
Half (50%) of tenants believe better communication and faster response times would significantly improve relationships while around a third (34%) called for greater understanding of challenges faced by both tenants and landlords, suggesting that fostering mutual respect could bridge existing gaps.
Some four out of 10 (39%) wanted greater clarity around tenant rights while just under a quarter (23%) wanted more transparency regarding landlord responsibilities.
Despite these concerns, there is little appetite for additional regulation, with only 17% believing it would improve relationships and just 16% supporting the introduction of an independent Ombudsman. Notably, 13% of tenants feel no changes are necessary, indicating broad satisfaction with current rental conditions.
One tenant noted: “My landlord is responsive, but clear communication about timelines would make a big difference.”
Allison Thompson (main picture), National Lettings Managing Director at LRG, says: “Landlords play an essential role in the rental market, and our findings show that most are committed to providing quality housing and fostering positive relationships with their tenants. While there’s much to celebrate, the importance of open communication and responsiveness cannot be overlooked.
“Encouragingly, tenants recognise landlords’ efforts, but there is always room to strengthen these relationships further. By focusing on proactive engagement, landlords can address tenant concerns while continuing to deliver the high service standards that the majority already achieve.”
