More than 44 million households in the U.S. today are renters.

Statistics on exactly how many of those households are renting from private landlords or rental companies aren't available. However, it is known that certain properties are managed by more private landlords than companies. For instance, nearly 80 percent of 2 to 4-unit properties are managed by private landlords.

As a renter, you might find yourself wondering whether it's better to opt for company-managed properties over private landlord rentals. The truth is that one isn't necessarily better than the other; both offer their own benefits and drawbacks.

Thinking about choosing a property for rent by landlord? Keep reading to learn some of the benefits, and how to find a property for rent by a private landlord.

Why Rent From a Private Landlord?

Many renters choose properties based only on that property's features, location, or price. But whether it's managed by a company or a private landlord will have an impact on your rental experience.

Renting from a private landlord often means a more personalized experience. When you have an issue with your unit, you'll be able to call your landlord directly with your concern. 

If you're dreaming of painting your apartment, getting a pet, or making other changes, it may be easier to negotiate with a private landlord. Often, company-rented properties are more strict in their rules, and may not be willing to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for tenants.

Come lease renewal time, you may have better luck avoiding a rent increase or negotiating a lower rate of increase with a private landlord over a company.

How Do I Find Private Landlord Rentals?

While there are plenty of benefits to choosing apartments or houses for rent by private landlords, one big drawback is that they can be harder to find. Company-managed rentals are often advertised on major rental search sites. But this may not be the case for privately managed units.

Many major rental search websites don't allow private rental listings. Or, they may prioritize company-managed, larger properties, which can make it difficult to find privately managed rental properties. Some private landlords may choose not to rent on these sites because of costs as well.

The best way to find these units is to use local search sites. Searching for rental properties on a smaller scale in the area that you live in or plan to move to will help reveal smaller, locally owned, and managed units.

Start Your Search for Properties for Rent by Landlord

There are plenty of benefits to renting properties managed by a private landlord. It can help give you more freedom to negotiate changes to the rules, like the ability to get a pet or to paint your unit. It also gives you a point of contact you can reach out to when you have a problem with your rental.

While it may be more difficult to find these properties, putting in a little extra effort can help you find the right unit for you and your family. 

If you prefer properties for rent by landlord, check out our search tool to find properties for rent in Charlotte.