By John Balzarini, Melody L. Boyd, Housing Matters, October 2021
As the nation grapples with affordability pressures and an eviction crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, understanding small-scale landlords’ role in maintaining affordability and navigating evictions is critical. Landlords serve as gatekeepers to the country’s limited supply of affordable rental housing—making key decisions about who to rent to, rental prices, eviction procedures, and the maintenance and preservation of their properties. In this study, researchers explore the strategies and motivations of small-scale landlords and property managers who work with tenants delinquent on their rent or otherwise violating the terms of their lease.
Researchers conducted 71 semistructured, in-depth interviews with landlords and property managers in Philadelphia between 2017 and 2019 to examine the strategies landlords use to avoid evictions. They recruited 59 respondents through a local landlord organization and 12 through referrals. The landlords and property managers included in the study managed a wide range of units that varied by neighborhood type, portfolio size, and tenant demographics including students, voucher holders, and families. Almost all of property managers interviewed worked exclusively for landlords with fewer than 20 properties.
The interviews revealed most landlords try to avoid evicting their tenants by forgiving back rent, setting up payment plans, accepting services like cleaning and maintenance in lieu of rent, and offering assistance and referrals to social services. When these strategies failed, some landlords incentivized tenants to vacate by forgiving back rent without penalty if tenants vacated voluntarily or by directly paying tenants to leave. Although this study is not representative of landlords and property managers across Philadelphia, it suggests landlords, especially small-scale landlords, try to work with tenants to avoid evictions.
Comments (0)