Survey of Tenants in Single-Family Rentals Phase 2: Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Bloomington

Recent research has shown an increase in ownership of single-family rentals by large-portfolio landlords, among them corporate investors and private equity firms, in the Twin Cities region. Family Housing Fund partnered with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs on a research project to learn about the experiences of tenants who live in single-family rentals. The central research objective focused on the question of whether conditions for tenants varied by the portfolio size of the landlord.

The first phase of this project surveyed renters in North Minneapolis. The second phase expanded the survey to more addresses across Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Bloomington. This report describes the findings of the second phase of research, which included an online survey and follow-up focus groups with tenants of single-family rentals. The study confirms a range of negative outcomes related to large-portfolio ownership of single-family rentals in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. The survey findings consistently show that as the portfolio size of the landlord increases, tenant experiences worsen.

View the full report here, or download by clicking the button below.

Appendix A, B, and C in the full report provide a closer look at survey results for three key neighborhoods in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Appendix D provides results from each of the survey questions. View Appendix D here.

Appendix E is a technical appendix that provides additional context on methods. View Appendix E here.