Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First

If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell? For a growing number of homeowners across Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, that’s turning into a new dilemma: should I just rent it instead?

There’s a term for this in the industry—it’s called becoming an “accidental landlord.”

Yahoo Finance defines it this way:

“These ‘accidental landlords’ are homeowners who tried to sell but couldn’t fetch the price they wanted — and instead have decided to rent out their homes until conditions improve.”

Why This Is Happening More in Los Angeles Right Now

The number of accidental landlords is rising in luxury and traditional markets alike. Business Insider explains why:

“While there have always been accidental landlords . . . an era of middling home sales brought on by a steep rise in borrowing rates — is minting a new wave of reluctant rental owners.”

In Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, and even the Sunset Strip, sales have slowed because higher interest rates limit buyer affordability—even in the luxury segment. Properties linger on the market, and some sellers hesitate to adjust their asking price. Instead, they consider renting, hoping to cover carrying costs while waiting for conditions to improve.

But here’s the truth: being a landlord in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills comes with far more responsibility (and risk) than most people expect.

Questions To Ask Before You Rent Instead of Sell

1. Does Your Home Have Potential as a Profitable Rental?

Just because you can rent it doesn’t mean you should. In Beverly Hills or Bel Air, renters expect fully finished, move-in-ready homes with luxury amenities. Ask yourself:

• Are you moving out of state? Managing maintenance from afar in Los Angeles traffic is a challenge.

• Does the home need upgrades to be rental-ready? Luxury tenants often demand high-end finishes.

• Does your neighborhood attract quality renters, or is it primarily a buyer’s market?

If your property isn’t positioned as a strong rental, selling at the right price may be the better move.

2. Are You Ready To Be a Landlord?

On paper, renting sounds like easy income. In practice, it often looks like this:

• Midnight calls about broken air conditioning (a deal-breaker in LA’s summer heat).

• Chasing down missed rent payments.

• Repairing damage between tenants.

As Redfin notes:

“Landlords have to fix things like broken pipes, defunct HVAC systems, and structural damage, among other essential repairs. If you don’t have a few thousand dollars on hand to take care of these repairs, you could end up in a bind.”

Luxury homes in Beverly Hills or Westside Los Angeles often come with more complex systems—think smart-home technology, wine cellars, and pools—that cost far more to maintain.

3. Have You Considered the True Costs?

Bankrate points out some hidden expenses that surprise many would-be landlords:

• Insurance: Landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than standard homeowner coverage.

• Property management fees: In Los Angeles, professional management companies often charge 8–10% of monthly rent.

• Maintenance and repairs: Landscaping, pools, and older systems add up quickly.

• Vacancy periods: Even in Beverly Hills, homes can sit empty between tenants, leaving you to cover the mortgage.

When you tally everything, the “passive income” may not look so passive—or profitable.

Why Selling May Still Be the Better Option in Beverly Hills

If you’re only considering renting because your home didn’t sell, it may be time to revisit your sales strategy.

In Los Angeles’ competitive luxury market, pricing and presentation are everything. A property that languishes at $10M unsold may find a qualified buyer within weeks when reintroduced at a more compelling price point, paired with expert staging and global marketing.

Instead of holding onto the property and juggling landlord responsibilities, work with an experienced Beverly Hills real estate agent who can:

• Reevaluate your pricing strategy.

• Relaunch the property with fresh marketing.

• Attract qualified, serious buyers.

Bottom Line

Before you decide to rent your Los Angeles or Beverly Hills home, make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Becoming a landlord wasn’t your original plan, and it often brings more hassle than expected.

If you’re stuck with a stale listing, a smarter move may be to reposition and relist with a new strategy. With the right agent guiding you, you can achieve a sale that reflects the true market value—without the headaches of becoming an accidental landlord.

Thinking about selling your home in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, or across Los Angeles’ Westside? Let’s connect. With over 36 years of experience and a proven track record of achieving top results for luxury homeowners, I can help you create the strategy that gets your property sold.