Renter Engagement Rising in Georgia as Moving Season Approaches

News Summary

A growing trend in renter engagement has emerged across Georgia, particularly in Atlanta, Augusta, and Columbus, as the peak moving season arrives. Despite a decline in favorite listings, Atlanta ranks fourth nationally. Augusta and Columbus follow at 22nd and 29th, respectively, with Augusta showing a 74% increase in engagement. Concurrently, Senator Jon Ossoff has launched an investigation into corporate landlords in Georgia, focusing on their impact on housing affordability. As local buyer concerns rise, the dynamics between corporate ownership and rental practices remain under scrutiny.

Atlanta, Georgia – A significant trend in renter engagement is emerging across Georgia as the peak moving season approaches, particularly in major cities like Atlanta, Augusta, and Columbus. Recent findings from the Renter Engagement Tracker (REnT) reveal Atlanta is ranked fourth nationally in renter engagement, even though there has been a year-over-year decline in the number of favorite listings and saved searches by renters.

Augusta and Columbus are also making strides in renter engagement, securing the 22nd and 29th positions, respectively, on a national scale. Augusta reported a striking 74% increase in favorite listings, although apartment availability has decreased slightly. Columbus, meanwhile, experienced an 18% rise in favorite listings accompanied by tight apartment availability, illustrating a common trend across the state.

A broader look at national rental dynamics reveals that renters are increasingly engaging with property listings before making final decisions on leases, highlighting a shift towards more informed rental choices. The South dominates the renter engagement landscape, with 15 cities ranked in the top 30 nationwide. Washington, D.C., stands out as the most engaged city for renters, followed by Cincinnati and Kansas City at second and third, respectively.

Ongoing Investigation into Corporate Landlords

In conjunction with these engagement metrics, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has initiated an investigation into corporate landlords operating in Georgia, focusing on four prominent companies: Invitation Homes, Main Street Renewal, Tricon Residential, and Progress Residential. This investigation seeks to assess the impacts of corporate ownership on housing affordability and availability within the state.

According to a report from the Government Accountability Office, institutional investors control 25% of the single-family rental market in metro Atlanta. Furthermore, in 2022, over 65,000 single-family homes were purchased by investors across 11 counties in the Atlanta area alone. This surge in corporate ownership raises concerns, especially in majority-minority communities where the concentration of corporate-owned homes is particularly high.

Ossoff’s inquiry aims to explore the corporate ownership structure of these rental properties and examine the resultant tenant experiences, including the potential for substandard living conditions and elevated eviction rates. The investigation will also focus on the fees imposed by corporate landlords and the level of transparency surrounding lease agreements.

Impact on Local Buyers and Rental Affordability

Recent analyses indicate that seven corporations currently own over 51,000 rental homes within the Atlanta region, with Gwinnett County noted for having the highest concentration of these corporate-owned properties. The ongoing investigation is driven by significant concerns regarding how corporate market competition might adversely affect local buyers and the overall rental affordability for families in Georgia.

While apprehensions persist about the potentially detrimental impacts of corporate landlords, some critics argue that these entities may address housing challenges by providing quality rental options and aiding in bridging existing housing gaps amid a notable shortage of available homes. This complex interplay between corporate ownership and housing dynamics in Georgia continues to unfold as key stakeholders assess the implications of rising renter engagement alongside the investigation into corporate practices.

As conversations around housing affordability and tenant rights gain momentum, developments in renter engagement and corporate landlord practices will likely remain focal points of discussion in Georgia’s evolving housing landscape.

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Additional Resources

• AJC: Ossoff Probes Investor Ownership in Housing
• Wikipedia: Corporate Landlords
• Patch: Corporate Landlords in Georgia
• Google Search: Atlanta Renter Engagement
• 11Alive: Investigation into Tenant Issues
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Rental Market