A positive relationship with a landlord or letting agent is the single biggest factor influencing whether tenants remain in a rental property long term, according to new research.
The finding comes from LRG’s Winter 2025/26 Lettings Report which suggests that communication and responsiveness may now play a greater role in tenant retention than rent levels, location or the quality of the property itself.
According to the report, 68% of tenants say the relationship with their landlord or agent is the most important factor in encouraging them to stay in a property for the long term.
That places it ahead of feeling settled in the area (50%), stability in personal circumstances (45%) and confidence in building management and maintenance (44%).
RENTERS’ RIGHTS ACT
The findings emerge as the private rented sector prepares for the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2025 and is expected to come into force in the coming months. The legislation will introduce periodic tenancies as the default arrangement, replacing fixed-term contracts.
LRG’s research suggests tenants may already be responding to the shift, with 24% saying they expect to remain longer in their current home as a result of periodic agreements.
Cost pressures also continue to shape tenant behaviour. More than seven in ten tenants say wider financial pressures are influencing where they choose to live, while nearly half say they now have fewer accommodation options than a year ago. Around 44% report it has become harder to find a home that fits within their budget.
LONG-TERM STABILITY
More than half of tenants (52%) say long-term suitability is now their top priority when choosing a home, overtaking cost. Expectations are particularly high among younger renters, with 42% of under-34s saying their expectations of rental housing have increased over the past year.
Landlords appear to share that preference for stability. The report found 72% favour tenants who stay indefinitely, while only 28% prefer fixed-term occupancies.
Separate data from the Deposit Protection Service shows the average tenancy in England and Wales reached 1,085 days in 2025 – almost three years – representing a 40% increase since 2021. At the same time, Zoopla data indicates there are around 25% fewer homes available to rent than in 2019, while demand is roughly double pre-pandemic levels.
MARKET IS GROWING UP
Allison Thompson (main picture, inset), National Lettings Managing Director at LRG, says: “What this data tells us is that the rental market is growing up. Tenants are not just looking for somewhere to live.
“They are looking for somewhere to settle. And landlords, overwhelmingly, want the same thing. The shift to periodic tenancies is bringing that aligned ambition to the surface. Our role as agents is to help create the conditions for long-term relationships to form and thrive.
“The landlords who understand that tenant retention is the most valuable thing they can achieve in this market will be the ones who come through the next few years in the strongest position.”
