The US rental market is one of the fastest-growing industries in America. Every day, more and more people are renting their homes for a variety of reasons. With all the talk about how many people are moving to different states to find work, it's not surprising that several Americans are becoming renters.
So what does this have to do with Covid?
As you may or may not know, Covid has been wreaking havoc on the economy since last year, and the pandemic is not over yet. In the US, there are still many people who suffer from this disease. With so many people sick, it has caused problems for the rental market in America.
Many homes are not being rented out because people don't want to risk someone getting sick and spreading the virus. In addition to this, Covid has caused many landlords to raise rent prices due to increased insurance costs. This blog post will discuss some of the ways Covid is affecting the rental market in America.
What is the Covid pandemic?
The Covid pandemic was a respiratory virus that swept the world in December of 2019. It has since been brought under control, but still affects people all over the United States today. The pandemic is not yet fully controlled and many people are still suffering from this disease right now.
What are the symptoms of Covid?
In addition to a cough and runny nose, other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, muscle aches, and chills. The virus is also known to cause pneumonia and other respiratory problems, which is why it's important to take precautions if you want to avoid becoming sick.
How can you avoid the Covid pandemic?
The easiest way to protect yourself from this disease is by washing your hands often and thoroughly, staying away from those with respiratory problems, and not touching your eyes or nose unless you have first washed your hands. Many people have died from this disease, so it's important to take precautions to prevent yourself from acquiring the virus.
The Impact of Covid on Renters and Landlords
Loss of work
Many people are no longer able to work due to their illness, so they can't afford rent. On the other hand, the landlords who are sick have a hard time finding someone to rent their place because they risk getting others to acquire the virus from them. Regardless of whether you are a landlord or a renter, you may want to look into the American Rescue Plan and how this aims to address the rental crisis. In a gist, this is a rental assistance program that can help tenants pay back their bills.
Increase in rental rates
The Covid pandemic has led to an increase in rental rates all over the United States. The landlords have to increase their rates simply because of increased insurance costs, which is a direct result of Covid. Insurance companies are losing money as people continue to get sick and many aren't able to pay their bills due to this virus, for example.
The popularity of renter’s insurance
Renters insurance is becoming increasingly popular as landlords require it before renting out property. This means that renters will be required to pay more for their rent, but there are other benefits. For example, if the renter gets sick with Covid, they can use their insurance to cover some of their bills when it comes to medical treatments.
Screening requirements
Renters are more likely to be screened for the virus before moving into a property. This can be attributed to the fact that landlords only want to make sure that the renters who turn out to be positive with the virus won't get them sick. In parallel to this, some landlords are already less likely to rent apartments or homes that require extensive cleaning due to the inconvenience and additional costs it brings, as well as an increased risk of infection.
Covid has caused a significant change in the rental industry. Those who are less likely to be infected with this virus, such as renters or landlords without children living at home, may have had their incomes and wealth increase due to increased rental prices. This means that those more vulnerable to infection will most likely need assistance from charities if they cannot afford rent increases on their own.
Even though there is no indication that Covid will end soon, these changes can be expected until it does eventually go away. Still, there are many things you need to know about the pandemic, including how to protect yourself from contracting it or spreading it without harming your family members' health regardless of whether you are a landlord or a tenant.