Majority of landlords and tenants confused about us rentals

Confusion is rife in the US private rented sector, according to a new survey by Zillow and Ipsus, which shows that despite high demand for rented accommodation, the majority of tenants and landlords do not understand basic rental laws.

82 per cent of renters and 76 per cent of landlords lack understanding of laws concerning security deposits, credit, and background checks, found Zillow, while 77 per cent of renters and 69 per cent of landlords lack understanding of privacy and access rights.

The survey included those who rent the home they live in (“renters”) and those who own the home they live in and own one or more additional homes, which they rent to a tenant (“landlords”).

“It’s concerning that so many renters and landlords are signing a legal contract without fully understanding their basic rights," said Carey Armstrong, Zillow director of rentals.

"In doing so, landlords and renters could be setting themselves up for future disputes and legal costs. While rental laws vary by state and local jurisdiction, there are some important rules that affect just about everybody. Every landlord and renter should take time to research and understand their rights.”