More Insight Into the Effects of the Pandemic for Rental Property Landlords

A pair of recent surveys attempt to shed light on the changing business and property management practices of landlords during the pandemic.

2 minute read

September 30, 2021, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Coronavirus

Allen J.M. Smith / Shutterstock

An article by Elizabeth Kneebone and Chris Herbert examines the uncertain surrounding the rental housing market, for both renters and landlords.

Here's how the two writers describe the uncertainty surrounding the intersecting economic hardships of these two groups:

While there is significant concern about whether these distressed renters will be able to stay stably housed, missed rental payments also have implications for the nation’s landlords. But much less is known about how property owners have fared and how they have responded to this significant shortfall in rent collections.

Enter a space of recent national surveys, which have provided information on the changing economic condition and business practices for rental property owners. Planetizen shared an article about the first survey, published by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, earlier in September. The second was published by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley and picked up by Planetizen in July.

Fast forward to a new study, "The Impact of the Pandemic on Landlords: Evidence from Two National Surveys"—published as part of the Housing Crisis Research Collaborative and written by Kneebone and Herbert along with Nathaniel Decker and Elijah de la Campa—which synthesizes the findings of the two previous studies.

"While distinct in certain respects, the two studies were coordinated to facilitate a comparison of results. Both surveys were designed to explore the pandemic’s impact across different types of landlords, properties, and rental markets by asking owners a series of questions about rental collection, profitability, and management practices, both pre- and post-pandemic," explain Kneebone and Herbert.

Despite their differences, the two surveys report consistent findings.

  • "Roughly a third of landlords reported declines in rent collection during the pandemic, although smaller-scale landlords reported more substantial losses"
  • "[L]andlords were more likely to grant concessions to tenants, defer maintenance, and reduce payments for debt and other expenses during the pandemic compared to a year earlier"
  • "[B]oth studies found that only a relatively small share of landlords indicated they were likely to pursue evictions of tenants behind on rent."
  • "Both surveys find that the financial stress from the pandemic has increased owners’ interest in selling their properties."

The source article provides a few more similarities between the survey findings as well as reporting a few subtle differences between the two. 

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City