If You Wouldn’t Live in Your Own Rental, Why Should Anyone Else?

Would You Live There?

Not in theory. Not on a spreadsheet. Would you, personally, live in that space?

Would you fall asleep in that bedroom, cook in that kitchen, take a shower in that bathroom, and feel okay bringing your family or friends over?

It’s an uncomfortable question. And that’s exactly why it’s powerful.

Too often, we look at rentals like investments—rows in a spreadsheet, ROI targets, market comparables. But to your tenant, that unit isn’t data. It’s their Tuesday night. Their breakup. Their recovery. Their life.

And if you wouldn’t live there yourself... why should they?

It’s Not About Luxury. It’s About Dignity.

No one’s asking you to install quartz counters or a wine fridge.

What tenants want is far simpler—and far more human:

• A heater that works when it’s cold

• A fan in the bathroom that actually clears the air

• A front door that closes smoothly

• Fixtures that aren’t hanging on by a thread

• A landlord who replies when they ask for help

These things aren’t lavish. They’re the basics of feeling safe, clean, and cared for. And when those basics are met, tenants stay—even when rent goes up.

The Details Matter More Than You Think

Landlords often wonder, “Why didn’t they renew?”
But rarely do they ask:

• Did I ever fix the fridge light they mentioned?

• Did I check in after that last plumbing repair?

• Did I inspect the place myself in the past year?

Tenants won’t always complain directly. But they notice.

They notice the cabinet that still creaks. The peeling paint. The broken blinds you keep meaning to replace.

And when renewal time comes, those little frustrations stack up. Not into a tantrum—into a quiet decision to leave.

One Question That Changes Everything

Walk through your rental today, slowly. And ask:

“Would I live here?”

If the answer is no—not “could,” but would—that’s not failure. It’s a compass.

• Fix what you’d want fixed

• Clean what you’d expect cleaned

• Upgrade what you’d expect upgraded

• Communicate the way you’d want to be communicated with

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to show you care.

Be the Landlord You’d Renew With

The landlords who thrive today aren’t just good with numbers—they’re good with people. They understand that behind every rent check is someone deciding if this place still feels like home.

So before you raise the rent, before you assume they’re just “shopping around,” ask yourself honestly:

Would I live here?

If not, now you know where to start.