Tenants reveal most off-putting rental sector features

Tenants reveal most off-putting features of rental homes and landlords

Research from Ocasa, the specialist rental platform, has revealed what things tenants find the biggest turn off when it comes to searching for that perfect rental property, as well as what they can’t stand about landlords. 

Ocasa surveyed over 1,000 current UK tenants asking them what they found the most off-putting about a rental property and a landlord.

Most off putting rental property features

When it comes to the most off-putting rental property feature, it turns out that it’s nothing to do with the property itself, as tenants rank nuisance neighbours as the number one red flag when looking to rent. 

While the government has announced plans to remove a blanket ban on pets, today’s tenants are yet to benefit and a rental property that prevents them from bringing their pet ranked as the second biggest turn off. 

A lack of parking was the next biggest no-no when it came to rental property appeal, with a lack of outdoor space also ranking within the top five, along with being forbidden to redecorate or add personal touches to a property’s decor. 

Worst landlord habits

When surveyed on their thoughts and feelings towards their landlords, the UK’s tenants ranked their inability to maintain a rental property to a modern standard as the most off-putting. 

Landlords who also failed to maintain safe living conditions were also out of favour with the nation’s tenants, along with those who consistently increase rents without reason. 

Tenants also dislike landlords who disturbed them regularly by visiting the property for no real reason, as well as those that call time on the relationship without good warning or reason. 

Sales and Marketing Director at Ocasa, Jack Godby, commented:

“The rental market can be a tough place to live at times and not only is it very expensive, but many tenants will be put off by out of date or unsafe living conditions, restrictive tenancy rules and the insecurity and uncertainty that often comes with living in someone else’s property. 

However, standards are improving and the industry is undergoing notable changes that focus on renting as a long term lifestyle choice, rather than a necessity due to the high cost of homeownership. 

This is particularly evident within the build-to-rent sector, which is providing a better quality of living coupled with greater security and flexibility to suit the needs of individual tenants. Of course, you may still fall foul of a nuisance neighbour but some things in life are unfortunately unavoidable.” 

Data tables

View sources and data tables online, here.