Story perspectives
Rent payment failures jump: 28% of lower-income renters missed rent
By Drooid · · How we work
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Story summary
- The Urban Institute reports rent payment failures rising among renters of all income levels.
- One in five middle-income renters missed full rent in 2025, up from 14% in 2024.
- Nearly 28% of lower-income renters missed rent in 2025, up from about 24% in 2019.
- Rent defaults were most pronounced in the South and Northeast regions.
- Samantha Batko, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, said the trend raises homelessness concerns.