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Tenants rate landlords positively despite public criticism
8:53 AM, 25th September 2026, 3 weeks ago
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Private tenants describe their landlords positively despite the criticism they face in public debate, according to research from Yorkshire Building Society.
Just 5% of those renting privately described their landlord as exploitative.
The lender surveyed 4,000 adults for its policy paper, No Way Home? Restoring Britain’s Housing Ladder.
Among private tenants, 40% described their landlord as reasonable and the same proportion said theirs was approachable.
Tenants’ views of landlords
The building society’s managing director of homes, Tom Simpson, said: “Landlords are often portrayed negatively in public debate, yet our findings show a very different picture among those with direct experience of renting, demonstrating a clear disconnect between perception and reality.
“The vast majority of landlords provide homes that tenants rely on every day, and most are viewed positively by the people living in their properties.”
He added: “The conversation around housing should be balanced and evidence-based.
“Our research suggests that while perceptions of landlords can often be shaped by wider narratives, the lived experience of many renters is much more positive.”
Private landlords offer choice
Asked to describe landlords in their own words, respondents most used terms including ‘good’, ‘professional’, ‘friendly’ and ‘understanding’.
Among private tenants, 36% described their landlord as fair and 29% as responsive.
Negative assessments included being negligent, selected by 9%, unresponsive by 8% and unreasonable by 7%.
Across those surveyed, 60% agreed that private landlords are vital because they offer choice.
Support for responsible landlords
Meanwhile, 72% of respondents agreed that renting provides flexibility for people who do not wish to buy a home.
The society, which owns Accord Mortgages, also calls for more support for responsible landlords to encourage them to maintain and expand the supply of good-quality homes to rent.
The findings were released to mark the 30th anniversary of the first buy to let mortgage.
Around one in five households in England live in privately rented accommodation.
Tags:
Buy to let, landlord research, Private Landlords, Private Rented Sector, tenant views, Yorkshire Building Society
7 comments on this article
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Member Since January 2026 - Comments: 12
12:51 AM, 25th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Well hallelujah! The lord has spoken. Finally the sensibles come to the table. But will the politicos and the ranters accept it? Probably not.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 170
11:09 AM, 25th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
This research does not suit the MSM, Generation Rent, Shelter, left wingers etc.
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 170
10:20 PM, 25th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Pennycook is obviously one of the 5%…
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 276
3:13 AM, 27th September 2026, About 3 weeks ago
The whole narrative of bad landlords was promulgated by corporate interests who want to remove choice and value from the market, as they can’t compete with private landlords. They use lobbying and hide behind pressure groups at arm’s length to create agitation against private landlords. Only when we have gone will people realise what they have done.
The RRA is the crown jewels of this market manipulation, imposing completely inappropriate corporate rules and regulations on private citizens to make it too burdensome for them to continue in the busines, thus stifling competition and opening the way for an oligarchy of corporations to eventually take over, like in America and other countries.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3751 - Articles: 5
2:11 PM, 28th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Eoin Deane at 25/09/2026 – 00:51
I think if all LL’s explain clearly the things the government is imposing on LL’s, the costs and the consequences, sensible tenants will come to realise for themselves just what is happening…
We need to educate the tenant masses and get them away from believing the gvt narrative.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3751 - Articles: 5
2:19 PM, 28th September 2026, About 2 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter Merrick at 27/09/2026 – 03:13
I agree, but where’s the corporates willing to take on benefit tenants? They want to take a big slice of the private market but but not the welfare part of the pie.
Vistry once the blue eyed boy, is now backing our from ‘partnerships’ with the gvt to build accommodation for social rent as its too expensive with all cost of planning, new legislation etc.
Liebour have now announced a state sponsored ‘Sign up for debt’ scheme (Help to Buy Pt2) to shift the surfeit of new builds sitting empty to try and pacify the housebuilders.
I am not so sure the private investment see ANY benefits of doing any business in the UK at the present time so at best we are in stagnation.
Member Since June 2017 - Comments: 161
4:58 PM, 7th October 2026, About 1 week ago
Responsible landlords don’t make for good copy in the press. They don’t facilitate debate amongst politicians. They don’t help politicians to support legislative change to raise revenue.
That’s why no public facing body ever discusses, congratulates or encourages the high percentage of responsible landlords in the PRS. We work in a sector that is absolutely essential, but is constantly tarred with the brush of evil. It raises revenue though, so politicians & the press will keep on doing it. It’s a fact of landlord life.