Landlords More Generous Than Media Portrays

Although the devious antics of bad landlords tend to make for better headlines, a survey by tenant insurance provider Endsleigh indicates that landlords are more generous than the media gives them credit for.

It found that 34% of landlords have given a welcome or farewell gift to a tenant, while 30% of tenants reported having received “an act of kindness” from their landlord. Over half (54%) of tenants received help with DIY projects, and 29% received a bottle of wine.

As a result, 72% of tenants said that these acts made them view their landlord in a more positive light.

A strong landlord-tenant relationship appears to have an impact of the length of tenancy. Seven out of ten tenants who received an act of kindness stayed in their property for 24 months or more. This falls to just over half (53%) for tenants who didn’t.

A bottle of wine appears to be the go-to gift of choice. 59% of tenants who received a gift were given one. 49% received a card, and a quarter received plants / flowers.

Asked whether a professional or a friendly relationship was best, 50% of landlords and 49% of tenants answered professional, while 36% of tenants and 21% of landlords said friendly. However, it was noted that many of those who answered ‘other’ said they would prefer a hybrid of the two.

Tenants and Landlords wishing to foster a better relationship can visit the Endsleigh ‘Better Relations’ campaign page here, which includes DIY advice videos, articles, case-studies and tips for better relations.

Back to news