UK tenants are paying more for rent than ever and getting less back when things go wrong.
Official figures show private rents in the UK rose by around 8.6% in the year to June 2024, with London seeing increases close to 9.7% over the same period. A separate analysis of Office for National Statistics data suggests tenants in England now spend more than 36% of their income on rent, well above the 30% threshold many experts see as a basic affordability line.
When rent takes that much of your pay, the difference between a responsible landlord and a careless one is huge.
That is where Nathan Levinson, founder and CEO of Royal York Property Management, believes UK renters can learn from Canada’s experience. His company manages more than 25,000 rental properties worth about $10.1 billion across Ontario, using systems that track every payment, repair, and complaint in one place.
“Good landlords are not an accident,” he says. “They work inside a clear system. If there is no system, problems are only a matter of time.”
So what should tenants in a tight UK rental market look for, and what habits do the best landlords share? Levinson outlines five things that matter more than slogans or friendly listings.
1. Written standards, not vague promises
A professional landlord or agent should be able to show you, in writing, how they handle common issues. That includes:
- how quickly they respond to repairs
- what happens if you report damp or mould
- how they communicate about inspections and access
In Canada, Royal York Property Management uses a standard move-in inspection, a written maintenance policy, and a clear record of every visit to the property.
“If there is damp, leaks, or heating failure, the rule book matters more than the advert,” Levinson says. “Ask to see their process on paper. If they cannot show it to you before you move in, they will not follow it after you move in.”
For UK renters, that means treating “we will look after you” as a starting point, not as proof. You should still ask for the actual procedures in writing.
2. Transparent money, no surprise extras
With rents rising fast across the UK, any extra charge hurts. ONS data shows average private rents reached about £1,310 a month in England by mid-2024. For many households, there is not much left after paying that bill.
Levinson says responsible landlords keep money simple and predictable:
- all fees explained before you sign
- no “admin charges” that appear later
- clear rules on how and when rent can increase
At Royal York Property Management, rent is paid through a single system and owners receive standardized statements. Tenants know exactly what they owe and when.
“In any country, surprise fees are a warning sign,” he says. “If the numbers are confusing before you move in, they will be painful after.”
UK renters can apply the same test. If the contract and payment information are hard to follow, ask for clarification in writing or walk away.
3. Fast, traceable repairs
One of the most common complaints in the UK rental crisis is slow or ignored repairs, especially around damp and mould. Recent coverage has shown families living for years with unsafe conditions while waiting for landlords or councils to act.
Levinson’s rule is simple: any serious repair must be logged, tracked, and closed with proof.
In his company, tenants report issues through a portal. The system timestamps the request, assigns it to a technician, and records when the work is finished. If a problem is not fixed on the first visit, it stays open until there is evidence that the issue is resolved.
“A good landlord is not the one who says ‘we will send someone out,’” he says. “It is the one who can show you when they came, what they did, and what happens if the problem returns.”
For UK renters, that means paying attention to how repairs are reported. Is it always “send us an email and we will see,” or is there a proper system? A landlord who cannot track problems cannot fix them reliably.
4. Serious tenant screening cuts both ways
Screening often sounds like it only protects landlords, but done properly it protects other tenants too.
In Canada’s tight rental market, CMHC data shows vacancy rates for purpose-built rentals at about 2.2% in 2024, still below the ten-year average, with rents on two-bed units up more than 5% year over year. In that environment, putting the wrong person into a building can cause trouble for neighbours and owners.
Royal York Property Management uses income checks, reference calls, and legal history searches before recommending a tenant to an owner. Levinson says that approach protects everyone in the building.
“The best landlords do not just fill a vacancy,” he says. “They check who is moving in next to you.”
For UK renters, that is a fair question to ask. If you are moving into a small block or shared house, it is reasonable to ask how other tenants are selected and whether there is any effort to prevent anti-social behaviour.
5. Planning rent rises, not chasing the maximum
With UK private rents rising much faster than incomes in recent years, some landlords have simply pushed prices as high as the market will bear.
Levinson argues that serious investors think differently. “If you want stable income, you do not shock good tenants,” he says. “You plan rent increases that people can absorb, and you explain them in advance.”
In his view, landlords who raise rent carefully and communicate early tend to keep reliable tenants longer, which reduces void periods and damage risk. It is a financial decision as much as a moral one.
For UK renters, one sign of a better landlord is how they talk about the future. Do they have a clear policy on rent reviews, linked to inflation or local market data, or do they say “we will see what we can get next year”? The first is a plan. The second is a gamble that you pay for.
What this means for UK renters
The UK and Canadian systems are different, but the basic tests for a good landlord are the same:
- clear rules in writing
- transparent money
- fast and traceable repairs
- serious screening
- planned, not random, rent rises
Levinson’s view is blunt. “You cannot fully control the market,” he says. “But you can control who you rent from. A good landlord will show you their structure before you ever pick up the keys.”
For tenants in a rental market where every pound counts, that structure may be the most valuable feature you never see in the listing.
