Want to stay up to date on rental industry news? If you want a recap of rental industry news, May’s industry outlook discusses the month’s shifts and changes and what they might mean for you and your company.
This month in rental industry news has seen more shifts to the rental market. Summer is a common time to move, and many housing providers are preparing for tenant turnover and new renters. As such, many people are watching the real estate market and industry, which makes recent industry updates a useful tool.
May 2026 has brought with it new updates to the ROAD to Housing bill, a study from Zillow on the hottest rental markets in the United States, and award announcements for Rentec Direct. Explore and keep up with this industry news, as well as how it could affect your business as a landlord or property investor, with this month’s industry outlook.
Housing Bill Restricting Build-to-Rent Homes Amended
The ROAD to Housing bill was first proposed in 2025 and has since been subject to numerous discussions and modifications by lawmakers in an effort to improve the housing and rental market nationwide and respond to the housing crisis. One of these prospective changes has been to build-to-rent homes. Build-to-rent homes, residential housing built specifically for renters rather than homeowners, have been under review for the past few months, but it seems that the proposed laws that might require investors to sell are no longer being put into effect.
In an update to the ROAD to Housing bill that has been proposed this month, realtor.com reports that lawmakers have cut one of the requirements that had originally been proposed. This update no longer requires build-to-rent investors to sell the properties they have built within seven years. This requirement had been controversial among lawmakers, and, in an attempt to push the law through, it has been removed.
Learn more: Industry Outlook | Build-to-Rent Homes Real Estate Market in 2023 and Beyond
Zillow Reveals Summer’s Hottest Rental Markets
Amid worries of a cooling rental market, Zillow reports on the hottest rental markets of this summer. Featured on the list are New York City, San Francisco, California, Los Angeles, California, and Providence, Rhode Island. With high rental rates and low vacancies, these areas are highly sought after for both renters and landlords. Cities in California take three of the top ten spots, each boasting similarly high monthly rents, with rent growth expected over the next year.
These markets are largely major metropolitan areas that are typically expected to have high rents, making for a busy rental industry to get into. However, their high rental rates and expected growth might make them ideal locations for landlords looking to expand in a market many worry is cooling.
Rentec Direct Wins Company of the Year
This month brings with it another set of awards for Rentec Direct. Making the ninth consecutive year of recognition in the American Business Awards®, Rentec Direct has been awarded the gold Stevie Award for Real Estate Company of the Year, along with a bronze award for Customer Service Department of the Year.
Rentec Direct won the company of the year award for the tenant screening, online rent collection, and easy tenant portal it offers. Rentec Direct’s customer service recognition comes in part from a quick turnaround of response times, with its email first response times being significantly lower than the industry average. Additionally, Rentec Direct has annual scholarships, supports multiple community organizations, and has been awarded multiple additional awards.
Learn more: Rentec Direct Wins Gold Stevie Awards®: This is Why it Matters
Rentec Direct’s Nathan Miller Wins Best Entrepreneur
Another gold Stevie Award from the American Business Awards®, Rentec Direct’s CEO, Nathan Miller, has won for best entrepreneur. With Nathan as owner, Rentec Direct has attained a 97% employee retention rate over the past two years, despite the turnover rate in the tech industry typically reaching 20%. Additionally, Nathan and his company are deeply involved in the local Southern Oregon community.
Final Thoughts
May is a busy time for landlords, property managers, and property investors, but it’s important to stay up to date on industry news. With summer coming, keep recent industry trends in mind and pay close attention to these changes to maximize your success as a housing provider.
