LANDLORDS: RESEARCH REVEALS GAP BETWEEN PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND TENANT REALITY

24 September 2026

As today marks the 30th anniversary since the launch of the first buy-to-let mortgage, a report from Yorkshire Building Society, of which Accord Mortgages is the intermediary lending arm, uncovers a significant disconnect between public perceptions of landlords and the experiences of those who rent from them, challenging widespread assumptions about the private rental sector.

While debate around renting often focuses on affordability pressures, property standards and evictions, the lender’s research, which surveyed 4,000 UK adults and has been published in its latest policy paper No Way Home? Restoring Britain’s Housing Ladder, found that most private renters describe their landlords in positive terms and recognise the important role they play in providing homes across the UK.

Amongst this group, 40% described their landlord as reasonable, 40% as approachable, 36% as fair and 29% as responsive. By comparison, only 9% said their landlord was negligent, 8% unresponsive, 7% unreasonable and just 5% exploitative.

The findings also highlight the sector's importance to the wider housing market, with 60% of those surveyed agreeing that the existence of private landlords is vital because they offer choice. Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters (72%) agreed that renting provides flexibility for those who do not wish to buy a home.

When asked to describe landlords in their own words, respondents most commonly used positive terms such as ‘good’, ‘professional’, ‘friendly’ and ‘understanding’

Tom Simpson, managing director of homes at Yorkshire Building Society, 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. While standards must always be maintained and poor practices challenged, it’s important that their contribution is recognised. That’s why our No Way Home? report calls for support for responsible landlords to encourage them to provide and expand the supply of good-quality rental homes.

"At a time when demand for rental accommodation continues to outstrip supply, we believe that landlords play a crucial role in providing housing choice and flexibility for millions of people."

The findings come against a backdrop of growing pressure on the private rented sector. Separate research conducted by Accord amongst mortgage brokers earlier this year[1] found that landlords were viewed as one of the groups most in need of government support, second only to first-time buyers, with more than one in five brokers (21%) saying that landlords should be prioritised for intervention.

This speaks to the increasing complexity landlords now have to navigate – including changes affecting the tax relief they receive on their property income and higher Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on buy-to-let properties, as well as licensing requirements, regulatory compliance and the impact of renters’ reform legislation. In addition, from 2027, landlords face increased tax bills on their rental income.

Brokers also reported mounting concerns about rental supply, with 56% saying their landlord clients were actively reducing the size of their portfolios and 53% reporting that landlords were leaving the private rental sector altogether.

With around one in five households in England living in privately rented accommodation, the research suggests that ensuring landlords remain in the sector is key to maintaining housing availability and choice for tenants.

Tom 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.

"As policymakers consider the future of the private rental sector, it’s vital to recognise the role responsible landlords play in helping to meet the UK's housing need.”