Want Higher Rent and Lower Turnover? Here’s What Today’s Tenants Really Want
Modern Renters Have New Expectations—Here’s How to Meet Them and Get Paid More for It
The rental market in 2025 is more competitive than ever—and not just for tenants.
Landlords are competing, too—not just on price, but on experience.
If you want to charge premium rent and reduce costly turnover, you need to ask:
“What do today’s renters actually care about?”
Spoiler alert: it’s not just stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops.
This guide reveals: ✅ What modern tenants expect (and what they’ll pay more for)
✅ Why experience > features in today’s rental market
✅ How self-managing landlords can deliver without hiring help
✅ And how Nextpad Homes helps you build a 5-star experience that keeps tenants—and raises rents
Why Meeting Tenant Expectations Matters (More Than Ever)
Let’s break it down:
Turnover is expensive. Each vacancy can cost $2,000–$3,000+ in lost rent, repairs, and time.
Happy tenants stay longer. They take better care of your property, pay on time, and refer others.
Great experiences justify higher rent. Tenants will pay more for a place that’s organized, responsive, and stress-free.
🧠 Pro Tip: You don’t need to offer luxury—you just need to offer what renters value most.
What Today’s Tenants Actually Want in 2025
1. Easy, Online Everything
Tenants expect to:
Pay rent online (with autopay)
Submit maintenance requests digitally
Sign leases from their phone
Message their landlord through an app or portal
✅ Nextpad Homes provides all of this—without landlords needing to code, chase, or manage tech.
2. Fast, Reliable Maintenance Response
This is a dealbreaker.
Tenants don’t leave because the A/C broke—they leave because it didn’t get fixed quickly (or they felt ignored).
✅ With Nextpad, tenants submit photo/video requests, track status, and get updates—so they feel heard and respected.
3. Clear, Transparent Communication
No one likes surprises, confusion, or chasing down their landlord for answers.
Renters want:
Written policies (pets, guests, repairs)
Reminders before lease renewals
Clear move-in/move-out expectations
Documented conversations (in case of disputes)
✅ All tenant messaging in Nextpad is logged, time-stamped, and organized—no lost texts or “he said/she said.”
4. A Well-Maintained Property
Today’s tenants are more selective. If they see signs of neglect, they assume the landlord doesn’t care.
Even in affordable rentals, tenants expect:
Clean common areas
Working appliances
Secure doors and windows
Regular upkeep (HVAC, pest control, etc.)
✅ Nextpad lets landlords schedule recurring maintenance and log inspections so nothing slips through the cracks.
5. Respect for Their Time and Privacy
Tenants want to feel like they’re renting from a professional, not someone who shows up unannounced or takes days to reply.
They want:
24-hour notice before entry
Business-hour contact (unless it’s urgent)
Consistent, calm communication
✅ With Nextpad, your policies are built into the lease, messages stay centralized, and everything is on record—professionalism made easy.
6. Modern Amenities That Match Their Lifestyle
Not just granite countertops—tenants care about:
Fast Wi-Fi access
Smart locks or thermostats
In-unit laundry
Pet-friendly policies
Safe, well-lit entryways
Package delivery solutions
💡 Small touches can justify higher rent when they solve real-life problems.
7. Lease Renewal Options & Incentives
Retention starts before the lease ends.
Tenants want:
Early renewal offers (not last-minute)
Flexible terms when possible
A reason to stay (discount, upgrade, or peace of mind)
✅ Nextpad alerts you 90 days before lease expiration and makes renewal seamless—with optional rent increase tools.
What Renters Will Pay More For
Want to raise rent without losing good tenants?
Focus on upgrades that improve their experience, not just the property.
Here’s what renters say they’d pay more for:
Source: 2024 NMHC/Kingsley Apartment Renter Preferences Report
Better Experience = Higher Rent + Longer Stays
Tenants today don’t just want a place to live—they want a rental that works like everything else in their life: fast, digital, and hassle-free.
With Nextpad Homes, you can: ✅ Deliver the modern rental experience
✅ Keep great tenants longer
✅ Justify higher rent
✅ Protect your time, reputation, and property
And you can do it without hiring a property manager or sacrificing your weekends.
👉 Ready to turn your rentals into a high-retention, high-profit business?
Use Nextpad Homes to give tenants what they want—and get the returns you deserve.