Who Owns the American Dream? The Rise of Corporate Landlords
Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of financial security, but for many Americans, it's becoming increasingly out of reach. As corporate investors acquire more single-family homes, prospective buyers are losing bids to deep-pocketed firms, while renters face higher costs and less control over their living situations.
This study examines how corporate landlords are influencing housing affordability, rent prices, and maintenance quality. It also explores public sentiment on the potential involvement of tech giants in real estate and whether AI-driven property management could change the way Americans rent and buy homes. The findings highlight growing concerns about accessibility and the future of homeownership.
Key Takeaways
- 93% of Americans believe that corporate ownership of homes is making homeownership less accessible.
- 1 in 10 Americans are unaware that corporate landlords and investment firms are buying up single-family homes.
- 1 in 20 lost a bid to a corporate landlord, and about 1 in 5 know someone who has.
- 1 in 3 Americans has given up on homeownership because of corporate buyers outbidding individual buyers
- Nearly 1 in 3 tenants with corporate landlords have experienced rent increases 3 or more times in the past 3 years.
- 1 in 3 Americans think tech giants like Amazon, Google, Apple, or Tesla will enter the housing market within the next 1-3 years.
- Just over 1 in 10 Americans would rent or buy a house from Amazon (12%) or Costco (11%).
How Corporate Landlords Are Changing Homeownership
As corporate investors acquire more single-family homes, renters and prospective buyers are feeling the impact. Many Americans are now competing with large investment firms, making it harder to secure a home.
Corporate ownership has shifted the housing landscape, with 93% of Americans believing that it has made homeownership less accessible.
Bidding wars against corporate buyers are pushing many people out of the market. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans knew someone who had lost a home bid to a corporate buyer, while 1 in 20 had personally lost a bid. A third of Americans, including 1 in 3 Gen Zers, had given up on homeownership due to corporate investors outbidding individuals.
Some Americans remain unaware of the scale of corporate ownership: 1 in 10 didn't know that businesses managing multiple rental properties were acquiring single-family homes. As corporate landlords continue to expand, access to homeownership remains a growing concern.
Rent Hikes and Maintenance: How Corporate Landlords Compare
For many renters, affordability and maintenance quality are key factors in housing decisions. Our comparison below reveals differences in rent increases and property upkeep between corporate and private landlords.
Nearly half of Americans (48%) said they currently rent from a corporate landlord, with Gen Z leading at 52%, followed by millennials (48%), Gen X (47%), and baby boomers (43%). About a third of tenants with corporate landlords (32%) experienced rent hikes three or more times in the past three years — double the rate of those with private landlords (16%).
Another 30% of renters with corporate landlords saw their rent increase twice in the same period. Rent remained unchanged for more than 1 in 4 tenants with private landlords, while only 1 in 9 corporate tenants had the same stability.
Maintenance standards also varied. About half of tenants with private landlords reported that repairs were completed within two to three days. About 1 in 6 said their landlord responded within a day, while 1 in 5 corporate landlords provided the same quick turnaround. Slow repairs affected both groups equally, with 1 in 10 tenants waiting more than a week for maintenance.
While corporate landlords were more consistent with upkeep — only 6% frequently left repairs unaddressed compared to 12% of private landlords — frequent rent increases remained a major concern for tenants in corporate-owned properties.
Beyond maintenance and repairs, many tenants expressed frustration with corporate landlords' management practices. Among corporate tenants, frequent rent hikes were a common complaint, with 44% reporting this issue — double the 22% of tenants with private landlords. Hidden renting fees were another concern, with 23% of corporate tenants reporting unexpected charges, compared to just 7% of private tenants.
Tenant experiences were further influenced by poor communication and a lack of personal service. Reports of unresponsive management came from 36% of corporate tenants, while 26% of private tenants faced similar issues. The rental experience also felt impersonal for 22% of corporate tenants, more than twice the 10% of private tenants.
The Future of Housing: Tech Giants and AI Landlords?
The rise of corporate landlords has already reshaped the housing market, but the possibility of tech giants stepping in raises new concerns. Many Americans are skeptical about how companies like Amazon, Google, or Apple could change the way people rent and buy homes.
A third of Americans believed that major tech companies would enter the housing market within the next 1 to 3 years. While some are open to the idea — 12% would consider buying or renting from Amazon and 11% from Costco — most remain skeptical. Even Tesla, which has sparked discussions about off-grid tiny homes, only garnered 5% interest, highlighting a gap between innovation and consumer trust. Concerns about the future of housing in America run deep, with over 80% expressing worry.
Resistance was also strong against tech-driven property management: 3 in 5 thought an AI-driven system would be worse than a human landlord, and 3 in 4 believed tech companies would make renting or buying harder. Similarly, the idea of subscription-based housing — which typically offers flexible, all-inclusive living arrangements for a recurring fee — was widely unpopular, with 75% opposing the concept.
When given the choice, 4 in 5 Americans preferred a private landlord over a corporate entity or tech company. As housing access continues to evolve, public skepticism remains high toward increased corporate involvement, particularly from tech giants.
Rethinking the Future of Housing
Corporate ownership has made homeownership less accessible, with rising rents and bidding wars pushing families out of the market. Many renters report frequent price hikes, hidden fees, and poor management, while skepticism grows over tech giants entering the industry.
With affordability declining and homeownership slipping further out of reach, the future of housing remains uncertain. As corporate landlords expand their influence, the question remains — who will truly control the American housing market?
Methodology
We surveyed 1,000 Americans to uncover the extent of corporate ownership in the single-family housing market and its ripple effects. The average age of employees was 39; 55% of respondents were women, 43% were male, and 2% were non-binary. Generationally, 7% were baby boomers, 18% were Gen X, 51% were millennials, and 24% were Gen Z.
About JW Surety Bonds
JW Surety Bonds is a leading provider of surety bond solutions for businesses and individuals across industries, including those in the housing and property management sectors. We offer license and permit bonds, construction bonds, and mortgage broker bonds to help housing professionals meet financial and legal requirements. Our reliable customer service and easy-to-navigate online platform allow clients to secure bonds quickly, ensuring compliance and protection in an ever-changing housing market.
Fair Use Statement
You may reference this data for noncommercial purposes with proper attribution through a link.
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