New research from the Leaders Romans Group (LRG) has revealed a more balanced relationship between landlords and tenants in the UK than often portrayed. The survey findings indicate that many tenants hold a positive view of their landlords, while also identifying key areas for improvement, such as communication and responsiveness.
According to the study, 55% of tenants believe their landlord provides quality housing, while only 12% view their landlord negatively. The results align with a separate study by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which found that 65% of tenants rated independent landlords favourably, compared to 46% for corporate landlords.
One landlord who took part in the survey commented: “I pride myself on providing good-quality housing and building strong relationships with my tenants.” Meanwhile, a tenant said: “Our landlord is always responsive and addresses issues quickly, which makes us feel valued.”
The research also found that maintenance issues are generally dealt with swiftly. Three-quarters of tenants reported that their requests were addressed within a week, with 41% receiving responses in under 48 hours. This reflects a growing commitment among landlords to maintaining rental properties and improving the tenant experience.
However, despite the overall positive outlook, tenants highlighted areas where the landlord-tenant relationship could be strengthened. Half of those surveyed said that improved communication and faster responses to maintenance issues would make the biggest difference. A further 34% believed that better mutual understanding between landlords and tenants could foster more cooperative relationships.
Tenants also expressed the need for clearer guidelines around rights and responsibilities. While 39% called for more transparency regarding tenant rights, 23% wanted a clearer outline of landlord obligations. However, support for additional regulations was limited, with only 17% believing that increased oversight would improve relationships. Just 16% thought an independent ombudsman would be beneficial, while 13% of tenants felt no changes were necessary.
Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director at LRG, said the findings reflect a largely positive picture of the private rental sector.
“Landlords play an essential role in the rental market, and our findings show that most are committed to providing quality housing and building positive relationships with their tenants,” she said.
“It’s encouraging to see that tenants value their landlords’ efforts, but there’s always room to strengthen this relationship further. By focusing on proactive engagement, landlords can address tenant concerns while continuing to deliver the high service standards the majority are already achieving.”
The survey also highlighted the role of professional letting agents in the sector. Findings from LRG’s 2024 Q2 report showed that 63% of tenants felt rental properties were better managed when lettings agents were involved, demonstrating their importance in maintaining standards and ensuring clear communication.
Despite these positive insights, 60% of tenants felt that landlords were unfairly represented, a view shared by many landlords. With ongoing discussions around the Renters’ Reform Bill, there are concerns that new regulations could reinforce negative stereotypes rather than recognising the majority of landlords who provide quality housing.
In response, 56% of landlords expressed support for stronger enforcement against rogue landlords, emphasising their commitment to professional standards. The findings suggest that while the overall landlord-tenant relationship is improving, continued efforts in communication and responsiveness will be key to maintaining trust and stability in the sector.
