Report is the first from NLIHC to comprehensively capture the distinct housing-related experiences of renters with varying incomes, racial identities, and accessibility needs across the U.S.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) published the 2025 National Renter Survey report. This report summarizes findings from NLIHC’s first nationally representative survey focused on renter experiences related to moving, housing costs and assistance, unique needs of renter households with disabilities or chronic health conditions, and the safety and habitability of rental housing.
NLIHC research finds that there is a severe shortage of affordable housing for the lowest-income renters, leading to significant cost burdens and housing instability for millions nationwide. While national datasets such as the American Housing Survey, Census Household Pulse Survey, and American Community Survey offer information on housing quality, rent costs, and renter demographics, they provide limited insight into obstacles renters across the country face that often go undocumented. These can include rental junk fees, difficulty in securing affordable homes that meet accessibility needs, and landlord-tenant interactions concerning the physical condition of rental properties.
“Alongside the rising costs of rent and utilities, renters are increasingly confronted with unexpected housing-related expenses. Renters with low incomes, renters of color, renters with disabilities, and older renters often bear a disproportionate burden in navigating challenges and obtaining the resources needed to stably live,” said NLIHC President and CEO Renee M. Willis. “The 2025 National Renter Survey has shined a national spotlight on the under-explored experiences and perspectives of renters, addressing an information gap and providing data that can be used to inform federal housing advocacy and targeted policy development.”
Key findings from the report include the following:
- Unaffordable rents were both a motivator and a barrier to moving. 38.4% of renters who considered moving but did not move (almost-movers) cited unaffordable rent as the reason why they wanted to move, while 70% cited the inability to find a home with affordable rent as the reason why they did not move.
- One in 5 renters who moved at least once in the last two years were turned down for one or more rental homes they applied for; a third of these renters were never told why their housing applications were rejected.
- A higher proportion of respondents were more likely to incur 1 of 5 junk fees identified in the survey. 76.9% of renters who rent from property management or rental companies and 59.5% of renters who rent from public housing authorities said their landlords charged at least one of five junk fees, as compared to 41.1% of renters who rent from an individual or a family.
- Most renters’ household accessibility needs are going unmet. An estimated 65.0% of renters whose households need mobility features and 77.1% of renters whose households need sensory features lack them in their current homes.
- Some landlords are refusing to add needed accessibility features to rental homes. 43.7% of renters with household accessibility needs say landlords are typically unwilling to add accessibility features to a rental home or building when asked.
- More than half (about 60%) of renters have experienced habitability issues over the last two years. 24.8% report the presence of pests,18.7% report issues with electrical items, and 18.1% report broken or missing essential fixtures.
The 2025 National Renter Survey was developed with input from a 20-member advisory committee, tenant leaders, housing advocates, researchers, NLIHC board members, State and Tribal Partners, and Tenant Collective alumni. The authors collaborated with the research firm ICF to test and administer the survey. Between July and December 2025, adult renters aged 18 or older from across the U.S. were randomly selected and invited via mail, phone, or text message to complete the survey in English or Spanish.
The 2025 National Renter Survey report and methodology are available at: https://nlihc.org/national-renter-survey
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