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Frustrations of Handling Landlords Who Demand Excessive Guarantees
One of the most frustrating situations for rent-to-rent operators is dealing with landlords who demand more guarantees than the deal can realistically support.
On paper, you’re already offering them security.
A fixed rent every month.
No voids.
No management headaches.
Yet some landlords push for more.
They want higher deposits than necessary.
They want personal guarantees stretching far beyond reason.
They want clauses that give them all the protection, while leaving you fully exposed.
And in those moments, it can feel less like a partnership and more like a trap.
The issue often comes down to trust.
Landlords fear losing control of their most valuable asset.
So they pile on conditions to make themselves feel safe.
But from an operator’s perspective, too many demands can destroy the deal entirely.
Margins vanish.
Risk skyrockets.
And suddenly, what looked like a win-win turns into a one-sided arrangement.
It’s a delicate balance to manage.
Say “yes” to everything, and you leave your business exposed.
Push back too hard, and you risk losing the landlord completely.
That’s where frustration kicks in — because you know the value you’re offering, but it’s not always recognised.
So how do you handle landlords with excessive demands?
Set boundaries early. Be clear on what you can and cannot agree to before negotiations get too deep.
Educate, don’t argue. Explain why guarantees already built into the model give them protection.
Be willing to walk away. Not every landlord is the right fit, and sometimes the best decision is not to sign at all.
Because the truth is, a rent-to-rent partnership only works when both sides feel protected.
And if the scales tip too far, it stops being a partnership and starts being a liability.
That’s it for today, happy Tuesday.
PS If you’re looking for some R2R deals yourself in London and surrounding areas, or if you may know someone that is, reply to this email and someone from our team will be happy to assist you in your query.