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Rigsby or ideal landlord? - 15 February 2008

A new survey from Alliance and Leicester reveals what tenants really think of their landlords.

One in ten (10 per cent) renters aged between 25 and 34 count their landlord as a friend, while nearly one in five (18 per cent) say they would happily send a gift or card to their landlord to express their gratitude if they had gone out of their way to help them.

More than one in five (21 per cent) tenants aged 25 to 34 say they spend time chatting and catching up socially with their landlord when they phone up or drop in to visit. With one in ten landlords (9 per cent) checking in on their tenants at least once a fortnight, this regular contact seems to form the basis of some flourishing friendships. Contrary to stereotypical tales of frosty relations between landlords and tenants, only 3 per cent of tenants overall don’t get along with their landlord.

Positive relations also bode well for landlords and could be seen as good business practice to be on good terms with tenants in a bid to ensure the property is treated with respect and care.

One in seven (15 per cent) landlords said they consider renters to be friends and nearly one in five (17 per cent) say they would buy their renters a present or card if they moved away from the property on good terms.

More than one in three (37 per cent) landlords take time to chat socially with their tenants when they phone or visit. With nearly eight out of 10 landlords (79 per cent) not knowing their tenants before they moved in, it can be important to foster an amicable relationship to help encourage them to keep the property in a good condition.

Stephen Leonard, Director of Mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, says: “Contrary to popular belief, landlords can be more friend than foe. It’s encouraging that so many landlords and tenants enjoy a good relationship, as this can help ensure any issues of dispute relating to the rented property are settled amicably and on good terms. With so many young tenants living long distances away from their family and friends, it’s clearly very useful to have somebody they trust to turn to for support.”

 

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