Each state has specific rules and regulations concerning rental property. Needless to say, some states favor landlords more than others. That’s why the location of your rental property is so crucial. In this article, we will discuss what makes a state landlord-friendly and then look at the most and least landlord-friendly states throughout the United States in 2025.
What Makes a State Landlord Friendly?
So, what criteria determine whether a state is landlord-friendly or not? The best landlord-friendly states have:
- Less complicated eviction process: State eviction laws play a significant role in determining landlord-friendliness. Evictions can often turn sour and may be uncomfortable for all parties involved. However, a tenant who defaults on their rent payments or has violated their lease agreement will have to be evicted. In some states, the eviction process is lengthy, burdensome, and may take several months. In other states, the process is quick and much less complicated.
- No rent control: Certain states restrict landlords from increasing rent by imposing a rent ceiling even during inflation. It’s vital to consider the rent control policies in the market you want to invest in. Landlord-friendly states typically have no rent control laws.
- Low property taxes: Some states charge higher real estate taxes than others. When choosing a state for your investment, consider the local taxes imposed on rental properties.
Top 10 Most Landlord-Friendly States in 2025
Here are the top 10 most landlord-friendly states in 2025 for investors eager to boost their profits and experience fewer bureaucratic hurdles.
While these states are known for being landlord-friendly, it’s crucial to note that evicting a tenant without cause is illegal, even in these states. Evictions can only be legally carried out for substantiated reasons such as late rent payments, lease violations, not upholding responsibilities, and staying after the lease ends.
In cases of lease termination without cause, all states in the U.S. require you to give sufficient notice (usually 30 days or more) to the tenant. Understanding and complying with these landlord-tenant laws is essential for successful and profitable rental property investment.
1. North Carolina
In North Carolina, landlords enjoy considerable freedom. There are no rent control laws here so landlords can set and adjust rents without limitations. They also don’t need to notify tenants before popping in. Plus, they can charge a security deposit of up to one and a half times the monthly rent—great for covering any unexpected damages or unpaid rent.
Also, in North Carolina, when a tenant is late on rent, a simple five-day notice to pay up or ship out is all that’s required. If the tenant doesn’t respond, the landlord can kick off an eviction. The process is straightforward and quick, usually wrapping up in about 45 days.
2. Texas
Texas is one of the best states for landlords. The state gives landlords a fast track when tenants miss rent payments. A quick three-day notice is all it takes to start the eviction process, making it simpler and faster for landlords to resolve non-payment issues.
There is also no rent control and no caps on security deposits and other fees, such as pet or application fees.
Texas is all about protecting landlords, especially when a tenant breaks lease terms. The state also allows landlords and tenants to enter into agreements on repairs, offering flexibility that’s hard to find elsewhere.
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3. Florida
In Florida, landlords can evict tenants with just a 3-day notice for missed rent. Evictions here are fast. Landlords can often regain property rights within two to three weeks unless the eviction is contested. Plus, there’s no rent control in Florida, allowing landlords to set their own prices.
Apart from these, landlords benefit from Florida’s low property taxes and zero state income tax. Rising housing costs in the state keep the rental market booming, making it one of the best states for rental property investment.
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4. Alabama
Alabama landlords pay the lowest property taxes by state in the U.S., just an average of $718 in property taxes annually. And if you’re 65 years or older, you get a break from state property taxes.
There’s no rent control here. Alabama landlords have the flexibility to raise rents based on the market.
Also, in Alabama, when it comes to non-paying tenants, a simple 7-day notice is all it takes before you can initiate an eviction. Additionally, Alabama allows landlords to terminate leases with just a 30-day notice. And you don’t need a rental license to rent out your Alabama property. These factors rank Alabama high among landlord-friendly states in 2025.
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5. Montana
Montana also has no state or local rent control laws. Landlords can set any rent price and increase it as they see fit—just not during the lease unless it’s written in the agreement.
The state also doesn’t cap late fees. In Montana, as long as it’s in the lease, landlords can decide what works best for them, giving them extra leverage to manage late payments effectively.
If tenants don’t pay up, a simple 3-day notice is all it takes to start eviction procedures in Montana. Notice periods are generally short, even for lease violations. For things like unauthorized pets or property damage, only 3 days notice is required.
6. Ohio
A recent law in Ohio bans rent control at the local and state levels. This gives landlords the freedom to set and raise rent prices at their own discretion as long as they follow the rules of their lease agreements.
In Ohio, removing problematic tenants can be done quickly. For non-payment of rent, you only need a 3-day notice to pay or vacate. Violation of lease terms requires a 30-day notice to remedy or vacate, and engaging in illegal activities also requires just a 3-day notice to vacate.
Ohio’s law on security deposits walks a fine line—landlords can ask for them but need to tread carefully, returning them within 30 days post-move-out, minus any deductions for damage or unpaid rent.
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7. Georgia
In Georgia, as in all the other landlord-friendly states, landlords enjoy the freedom to set their rental prices, as the state hasn’t imposed any rent control laws.
Evicting a tenant in Georgia is usually fast. A day after a missed rent payment, landlords can issue an eviction notice, either verbally or in writing. If the rent remains unpaid, they can file an eviction lawsuit within three days of sending the notice, and the entire eviction process might wrap up in as little as two weeks to about two and a half months.
Security deposit regulations in Georgia give landlords significant flexibility, with no caps to hold them back. However, once a tenant leaves, the law requires that these deposits be returned within 30 days. Moreover, the state has no laws requiring landlords to notify tenants before entering the property, whether for repairs or inspections.
8. Arizona
Arizona ranks as one of the best states for landlords due to its landlord-friendly real estate laws and regulations. At just 0.63%, Arizona’s effective property tax rate is the 12th lowest in the country, making it attractive for landlords looking to minimize expenses.
Aside from this, the state has one of the fastest eviction timelines in the country. Landlords can wrap things up within 1-6 weeks. In Arizona, you can terminate a lease in 10 days if you find false information on a tenant’s application. For rent defaults, landlords only have to serve a 5-day notice, and for any lease violation repeated more than once, all it takes is a 10-day notice. This type of efficient eviction process is what you see in landlord-friendly states.
Arizona also bars local governments from imposing rent control or inclusionary zoning policies (mandating developers to set aside affordable housing in their new projects).
9. Arkansas
On average, Arkansas homeowners pay just $977 annually in property taxes, one of the lowest nationwide. This makes this state attractive for landlords chasing higher rental cash flow.
Like many Southern neighbors, the state prohibits cities and local governments from enacting rent control. Plus, the state doesn’t have an implied warranty of habitability. This means it doesn’t force landlords into a default commitment to handle repairs and maintenance, only stepping in if the lease includes this commitment.
Evictions in the state are also relatively fast. The process takes about two to four weeks from start to finish. Should you terminate a lease? You’re all set as long as you give a heads-up equivalent to one rental period on oral agreements or follow the terms specified in a written lease. If you follow these rules, you don’t need a reason to terminate a lease in Arkansas.
10. Indiana
Indiana isn’t just ranked one of the landlord-friendly states because of its low property taxes (averaging only $1,467 a year). It’s also attractive because you don’t need a special license to rent properties in the state.
In Indiana, all it takes is a 10-day notice for overdue rent before you can start the eviction process. And from start to finish, evictions take between three weeks to four months. Plus, the state has no rent control, allowing you to set and adjust rents as you see fit.
Also, whenever a tenant decides to treat your property like their own demolition derby, Indiana’s got your back. If a tenant causes significant damage (waste), you can evict them immediately—no notice is needed, and they don’t have the option to fix the problem. It’s a tough-love policy, but it ensures your investment is protected without getting tangled in red tape.
Top 10 Least Landlord Friendly States in 2025
Ever wonder why some landlords seem to have it all under control while others are constantly grappling with one issue or another? A lot of it boils down to where they own property. Let’s look at 10 states where landlords might find themselves wrestling with high property taxes, tough eviction laws, and tight rent control in 2025—making them some of the most tenant-friendly states in the country.
1. New York
In New York, landlords are reeling from the strict rent control measures introduced by the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019. It’s not just the rent caps; the Act also restricts security deposits and offers tenants specific rights against eviction, making New York one of the least landlord-friendly states in the US.
The eviction process in the state is lengthy and complex. The law requires landlords to give a 14-day notice for unpaid rent, and the overall eviction process can stretch from three months to a year.
Also, starting in April 2024, evicting a tenant is a no-go unless you have a solid, approved reason (“Good Cause”). Thanks to a new law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, evicting a tenant in the state has to be a last resort.
2. California
California has statewide rent control. Thanks to the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, rent increases in California are capped at no more than 10% annually or 5% plus the local CPI (Consumer Price Index) – whichever is less. And this isn’t just for a few places; it applies to most homes built before 2005.
Moreover, evicting a tenant in California comes with many rules and regulations. The state bans “self-help” and retaliatory evictions. It also prohibits landlords from evicting tenants based on nuisance complaints tied to law enforcement or alleged crimes.
On top of all that, being a landlord means you can’t slack on safety. The state insists on professional inspections for buildings with multiple units, especially if balconies or other risky structures are involved. And you can’t use poor credit history to excuse not to rent in California. You must offer alternatives to rental applicants, especially when dealing with rent-subsidized housing.
3. Hawaii
In Hawaii, landlords must keep properties in tip-top shape and fix issues swiftly—usually within a tight 15-day window—or risk tenants fixing things themselves and deducting the cost from the rent.
Security deposits cannot exceed one month’s rent minus pet fees. Once the tenant moves out, you have just 14 days to return the deposit.
For rent increases in the Aloha state, landlords must give significant notice periods—45 days for monthly leases and 15 days for weekly leases.
4. Illinois
Illinois recently implemented a new rule that bans landlords from insisting on electronic rent payments. This shift could affect landlords’ financial management.
Also, the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act now requires landlords to return security deposits within 45 days of a tenant moving out. Landlords will also need to give a breakdown of any deductions and receipts.
When it comes to repairs, landlords have two weeks after receiving written notice from their tenants to make them. If they drag their feet, tenants can take matters into their own hands, fix the issues, and deduct the costs from their rent. They can even take their landlord to court for habitability violations.
5. Oregon
In Oregon, landlords face unique challenges thanks to robust tenant protection laws. These include:
- Rent control: In Oregon, if a property is over 15 years old, the state caps rent increases at no more than 7% annually.
- 90-day notification for monthly tenancies: For people on month-to-month leases, landlords must hold off on any rent hikes for the first year and must provide a 90-day notice before increasing rent.
- Support during moves: In cities like Portland, hefty rent increases could mean paying for your tenant’s moving costs. If you raise the rent by 10% or more, you might need to foot the bill for your tenant’s relocation.
Oregon also doesn’t play around when it comes to rental unit habitability. As a landlord, you’re expected to keep properties safe and habitable—fail to do so, and tenants might just deduct their repair bills from the rent.
6. New Jersey
New Jersey has the dubious honor of sporting the highest property taxes nationwide. The average homeowner here forks out about $9,000 annually in property taxes. For landlords, that’s not just a dent in the budget; it’s a gaping hole.
Also, the state allows local jurisdictions to impose rent control. Approximately 100 municipalities in the state have put a cap on how much you can charge for rent. And landlords have to provide at least 30 days’ notice before raising rent.
New Jersey also has strict rules around security deposits. You can only ask for one and a half months’ rent. And once the tenant says goodbye, you’ve got 30 days to pay up. Plus if your tenant had to leave because of an emergency (fires, floods, or evacuations), or was a victim of domestic violence, you might be reaching for your checkbook even sooner.
7. Maryland
In Maryland, several areas have imposed rent control rules that prevent landlords from raising rents whenever they want. Thanks to the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, security deposits can’t exceed one month’s rent now. Landlords must give a written 10-day notice for unpaid rent before starting eviction proceedings. Evictions in the state take two months on average and can sometimes last up to five months.
Plus, based on the new Act, which goes into effect in October 2024, landlords must hand over a copy of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights when signing a lease, ensuring renters know their rights from day one.
Moreover, landlords now need to let tenants make an offer before they put a property up for sale. They must send each tenant a written notice to deliver an offer to purchase the property before listing it for sale. This new rule can tie things up a bit for sellers.
8. Washington D.C.
In Washington, D.C., you’re looking at some of the priciest real estate in the nation. The median home price in the state is $636,000
In D.C., there are tight rent control regulations. If you have tenants who are older or disabled, you can only bump up the rent by 2.9%. For other tenants, a maximum of 4.9% is required, depending on the CPI for the year plus a small margin. The state also has many rules governing when and how rent increases can be applied. For instance, you can’t raise rents for tenants who received rent increases in certain months of the previous year.
If you’d like to visit your property, you better give your tenants a heads-up at least 48 hours in advance. Lengthy evictions are also common in D.C. The eviction process in the state takes between 1 and 8 months, depending on the reason for the eviction.
One legal hurdle landlords face when trying to sell in D.C. is the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA). TOPA stipulates offering your tenants the first shot at buying whenever you want to sell your place. This potentially stretches out the sale timeline.
9. Vermont
Vermont’s property tax rate is 1.83%, the fourth highest in the nation. Landlords must issue a 14-day written notice for unpaid rent before they can file an eviction lawsuit. The eviction process in the state is notoriously drawn out, often taking four to seven months.
In Vermont, if landlords delay essential repairs, tenants can take matters into their own hands. They’re legally allowed to handle repairs themselves, deduct the costs from their rent, or withhold rent until the issue is resolved.
10. Delaware
Delaware law caps security deposits at a month’s rent, and landlords must return them within 20 days of moving out.
When it comes to repairs, Delaware tenants don’t have to wait around. If something breaks, landlords have just 12 days to fix it following a written notice from the tenant. If the landlord doesn’t fix it after 12 days, tenants can legally keep up to two-thirds of their rent, sort out the repairs themselves, and shave the cost off next month’s rent.
While it has one of the country’s lowest effective property tax rates, Delaware requires landlords to give substantial notice to tenants before taking specific actions. For rent increases and lease terminations on month-to-month leases, landlords must provide a full 60-day notice.
What States Have the Highest Eviction Rates?
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Princeton University’s Eviction Lab has monitored eviction filings throughout the U.S. Based on their data, some states and cities witness significantly higher eviction filings than others. A mix of economics, policy, and the latent impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing drives this.
High evictions might paint a contrasting picture for landlords. On the one hand, it signifies a more straightforward eviction process. Conversely, it could also mean you’re more likely to attract less-than-ideal tenants. So, which states saw the highest eviction rates between 2023 and 2024? Let’s dive in.
1. Virginia
In Virginia, 13 out of every 100 renter households face the possibility of losing their homes – the highest eviction rate in the nation.
Between August 2023 and August 2024, landlords filed 136,716 evictions in the state. Though this is a staggering number, it’s actually 16% less than what we saw before the pandemic.
Richmond’s eviction rate is currently above 11%, making it the city with the second-highest rate in the country.
Richmond isn’t alone—Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, and Chesapeake also rank among America’s top ten for evictions, painting a troubling picture across Virginia.
The most common reasons for evictions in the state are nonpayment of rent and lease violations. Virginia’s laws set a clear path for evictions, demanding landlords dot their i’s and cross their t’s before turning people out. This includes providing written notices that range from 5 to 30 days based on the grounds of eviction, whether nonpayment of rent or lease violations. It takes two to four months to evict a tenant in the state.
2. Delaware
Delaware has the second-highest eviction rate in the country. Eleven percent of renter households in the state are at risk of losing their homes.
In the past year alone, there were 11,552 eviction filings in the state. Although this is a 34% drop from the pre-COVID average for the state, the numbers are still very high.
Delaware’s relatively easy eviction process is an important factor behind these high eviction rates. While the state is generally not considered landlord-friendly, evictions here are swift and favorable to landlords. There are minimal filing fees ($45 per case) and no legal representation requirements for landlords. Evictions are usually completed within one to three months.
3. Indiana
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many states saw significant drops in eviction filings due to moratoriums, Indiana’s stubbornly high eviction rates didn’t budge. Numbers surged after the state’s eviction moratorium (March 19 to August 14, 2020) was lifted.
Between August 2023 and August 2024, Indiana saw an eviction filing rate of 9%. This is equal to 70,442 eviction filings, just 3% below the state’s pre-COVID average.
Cities like Indianapolis and South Bend have persistently high eviction rates. Indianapolis has the fifth-highest eviction filing rate in the nation.
4. Texas
After the expiration of the eviction moratorium in bustling metros like Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas witnessed a surge in eviction cases.
Currently, in Texas, Houston leads the pack when it comes to evictions, with a staggering 81,373 eviction filings between August 2023 and August 2024. This represents an eviction filing rate of 10% year over year (39% greater than the pre-pandemic average).
Fort Worth had the highest filing rate, at 11%. Between August 2023 and August 2024, the city reported nearly 47,400 evictions, more than Dallas and Austin combined. For the same period, Dallas had a filing rate of 8%, and Austin had 4%.
In Texas, evictions move fast. If you miss your rent, you could find an eviction notice on your door in just three days. From start to finish, the whole ordeal could be over in as little as 30-35 days, depending on court schedules and whether the case is appealed.
5. South Carolina
Landlords in South Carolina filed around 400,000 eviction cases between March 2020 and February 2024, one of the highest eviction rates in the U.S.
As of March 2024, South Carolina had an eviction filing rate of 20%, doubling the national average of 7.8%. Just in that month, courts dealt with 8,800 eviction cases. Some places, however, experience more evictions than others. For instance, Charleston had about 10,231 eviction filings (18%) between August 2023 and August 2024, while small Greenville had 15,204 filings (an eviction rate of 25% – the highest in the country).
In South Carolina, starting an eviction is cheap — just 40 bucks can get the ball rolling. This low cost could be why evictions are so common here compared to other states.
Should You Only Invest in Landlord-Friendly States?
Ultimately, landlord-friendliness shouldn’t be the only factor influencing your investment decision. Still, it should influence your choice to a certain degree since you cannot change the location of your real estate investment.
Investing in one of the most landlord-friendly states can save you a lot of hassle and money. Yet, rental property in a landlord-friendly state with few potential buyers will not make you as much money as property in a tenant-friendly state with an active housing market. So, demand is an essential factor when choosing your investment location.
Also, it’s possible for a landlord-friendly city to be within a tenant-friendly state or the other way around. Therefore, in addition to state property laws, check out local laws.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is true that you can find profitable real estate anywhere in the United States, certain states have real estate policies that make them better suited to protecting your investment. Investing in landlord-friendly states will make your journey as a property owner much smoother, hassle-free, and profitable. If you’re an investor looking to grow an out-of-state real estate investing portfolio, become a RealWealth member to access opportunities and carefully selected turnkey investment properties.
FAQs
What states have rent control in 2025?
- California: In California, rent can’t climb more than 5% plus the rate of inflation or 10%—whichever is less—per year, and landlords are limited to a maximum of two rent increases every twelve months.
- Oregon: Oregon protects renters by forbidding any rent hikes in the first year and capping future increases at 7% plus the regional Consumer Price Index or 10%, whichever is lower.
- New York and New Jersey: New York and New Jersey have strong protections against frequent and steep rent increases. New York has both rent control (for tenants who have lived in a building built before 1947 since July 1, 1971 or earlier) and rent stabilization (for buildings built before 1974). A maximum base rent is established for each apartment and reviewed every two years. Different cities and municipalities also have rent control policies. In New York City for instance, one-year leases beginning between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025 are subject to a max of 2.75% increase.
- Washington D.C.: D.C. keeps rent hikes in check with rent control tied to inflation while ensuring landlords stick to strict regulations for raising rent.
What state has the hardest eviction process?
New York is not just the city that never sleeps—it’s also where eviction processes can seemingly last an eternity. We’re talking several months to even a year if things get tangled up in court. Evictions in New York usually involve multiple court hearings and paperwork up to your eyeballs.
What is the easiest state to evict a tenant in?
Louisiana has the fastest eviction process. Landlords only need to send a five-day notice for non-payment of rent and lease violations, and the whole process can be completed in two to five weeks.
How RealWealth Can Help
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