Rental Performance Report for January 2026: Key Findings

Wondering how on-time rent payments are faring across the nation? Take a look at Chandan Economics & RentRedi’s Independent Landlord Rental Performance Report for January 2026.

Key Takeaways on Rental Performance for January 2026

As noted in Chandan’s report, here are the key takeaways on the rental performance for January 2026:

1. In January 2026, on-time rental payments in independently operated units inched higher to 83.3%, extending the gradual improvement observed since late 2025.
2. Measured year-over-year, on-time payment rates remain materially lower than a year ago, marking the 30th consecutive month of annual declines.
3. Despite softer on-time performance, full-payment rates have remained resilient, with 2025 averaging approximately 96.0%, outperforming the 2024 average.
4. Late payments — the primary driver of underperformance in the mom-and-pop sector — remained above 10% throughout 2025, though data point to continued easing entering early 2026.
5. Western and Mountain states continue to post the strongest on-time payment rates nationally, led by Alaska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah.

Bottom Line: On-time Rent Payment Trends for January 2026

Overall, the data suggest that independent landlords are entering 2026 on firmer footing, with rent payment performance stabilizing and showing modest improvement. While late payments continue to pressure cash flow, strong full-payment rates and steady labor conditions are helping prevent deeper deterioration. If employment remains stable and rent growth stays measured, the gradual progress seen since late 2025 is likely to continue.