A recent survey of 300+ active U.S. renters indicates the renting cohort south of the border is highly engaged in the 2022 midterm elections. The survey was completed by Dwellsy, the largest home rental listing platform in the U.S. with 13+ million verified listings. When asked if they planned to vote on November 8, 75 per cent of respondents said yes.

Jonas Bordo, CEO and cofounder of Dwellsy, says these results come as no surprise.

“In the past year, median asking rent rose by 29 per cent, with some U.S. cities seeing more than a 100 per cent increase in rent prices,” he said. “It’s safe to say that skyrocketing rent has gotten renters’ attention.”

In terms of what’s triggering those high rents, the respondents blame it on a mix of factors including soaring inflation, supply-and-demand imbalances, corporate greed, and housing trends sparked by the pandemic. With the U.S. Census Bureau estimating that renters make up 36 per cent of all households, Dwellsy calls this “engaged group” a voting force to be reckoned with.

“Disillusionment” 

In response to the question, “Do you think politicians care to pass laws that positively impact renters?” 80 per cent of survey respondents said no. When asked which party they would be voting for, 45 per cent said the Democratic party, and the next highest percentage (32 per cent) said “Other”.  (Only 20 per cent  said they’d be voting for the  Republicans.)

“These answers seem to reflect a lot of disillusionment in politicians and, really, a lack of trust in the current two-party system,” noted Bordo. “Again, this is not surprising given the struggles renters have experienced over the past year or so.”

Impacts on housing

In response to the question, “How much do you think the results of the upcoming midterm elections will impact your life?” 88 per cent said it will have “some type” of impact, while 65 per cent said the results will “strongly impact” their lives. Additionally, 53 per cent said they believe the outcome of the midterm elections will “directly impact their housing options” in terms of whether they will remain a renter or explore homeownership.

“Since renting is often a steppingstone to homeownership, it seems safe to say that many people are linking their hopes on achieving this piece of the American Dream to the outcome of the upcoming elections,” Bordo noted, adding that his company conducts surveys like this because renters are a non-homogenous group. “By gathering data from this key slice of the population, we feel we can get an accurate snapshot of how Americans in general think and feel about the issues that affect their lives.”

For the full results, click here: Dwellsy Surveys US Renters | Majority Planning to Vote