Renter relationships with property owners and letting representatives rank as the primary element influencing long-lasting occupancy retention, according to research study from estate agency group LRG.
The group’s Winter season 2025/26 Lettings Report found that 68% of renters determined these relationships as the most important consideration when choosing whether to remain in their current property. This figure goes beyond other aspects including sensation settled in the location (50%), stability in individual situations (45%), and confidence in maintenance and management handling (44%).
Property owner choices align with occupant behaviour
The research study indicates landlords share similar preferences for longer tenancies. Some 72% of landlords specified they prefer tenants who remain in a home indefinitely, compared with 28% who favour fixed-term arrangements. Amongst those choosing repaired terms, the main motivations cited were to help with rent evaluations, redecorating or occupancy management, instead of to regain ownership.
The findings become the personal rented sector gets ready for changes under the Tenants’ Rights Act, which will present routine occupancies as the default structure, replacing fixed-term agreements. According to LRG’s data, 24% of occupants anticipate remaining in their present home for longer once regular tenancies are carried out.
Market constraints affect retention
Limited housing availability appears to contribute to occupant retention patterns. Nearly half of respondents reported having less accommodation choices compared to a year previously, whilst 44% indicated increased difficulty finding residential or commercial properties within their budget plan. The report also noted a shift in occupant concerns, with 52% stating that long-lasting suitability now exceeds cost considerations when choosing a home.
Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director at LRG, mentioned: “The rental market is growing up. Tenants are not just searching for someplace to live. They are trying to find someplace to settle.” Thompson added that property owners who prioritise renter retention “will be the ones who come through the next couple of years in the strongest position.”
The data suggests the rental sector is experiencing a shift towards longer-term occupancy patterns, driven by both occupant preferences and market constraints, ahead of regulatory modifications impacting occupancy structures.