From Landlord to Leanlord

Small residential and commercial rental properties owned by individual landlords are important to the diversity and adaptability of cities as a whole. The owners of small rental properties face challenges, many due to economies of scale, in areas like energy efficiency and building management. In the United States, more than two-thirds of unsubsidized rental housing units are owned by individual landlords, and small buildings make up most urban neighborhoods; further, neighborhoods with small lots and buildings are more dense, and contain more jobs and businesses per square foot compared to neighborhoods dominated by large properties. Owners of small properties can improve their economic performance and the quality of their properties by investing in professional management, by buying buildings that are close to each other, standardize appliances and fixtures across units, and investing in technology like internet-connected water meters, thermostats, and irrigation control.