Thinking about renting your house because it didn’t sell? Read this first.

If your home has been sitting on the market without any offers you’re comfortable with, you might be wondering: What should I do if my house doesn’t sell? One option more homeowners are considering today is renting it out instead. But before you go from seller to “accidental landlord,” there’s a lot to think about.

Let’s break it down.

There’s actually a term in the industry for homeowners who didn’t plan to rent—but end up doing so when their home doesn’t sell: accidental landlords.

As Yahoo Finance puts it:

“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.”

This trend is gaining traction, especially here in Southern California, where high interest rates and affordability challenges have slowed home sales for many sellers.

Let’s face it—real estate looks a little different right now than it did even a year ago.

According to Business Insider:

“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.”

Buyers are more cautious due to today’s mortgage rates, which can lead to longer time on market and fewer (or lower) offers. As a result, some sellers are shifting gears and renting their homes instead of reducing the price.

But here’s the catch: becoming a landlord wasn’t your original plan, and for good reason. It comes with more responsibility—and risk—than many people expect.

If you’re weighing the idea of renting out your home, here are three key questions to ask yourself first.

1. Does Your Property Make Sense as a Rental?

Just because you can rent it doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Start by asking:

Are you moving out of state or out of the area? Managing a rental remotely is tough without professional property management.
Does the home need any repairs or updates before it’s ready for tenants?
Is your neighborhood renter-friendly, and would your home actually be profitable once you factor in costs?

If you're unsure about any of those, selling might still be your better long-term play—even if it means adjusting your strategy.

2. Are You Ready To Be a Landlord?

On the surface, renting sounds like a great way to generate passive income. But in reality, landlords deal with a lot behind the scenes:

Late-night maintenance calls
Missed or late rent payments
Unexpected property damage between tenants

Redfin sums it up perfectly:

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

It’s not just about collecting rent—it’s about being financially and logistically prepared for anything that can go wrong.

3. Have You Considered the Full Cost of Renting?

Renting can quickly get expensive, especially if you're not accounting for all the hidden expenses. According to Bankrate, these are just a few of the common costs to expect:

Landlord insurance (often 25% higher than a standard homeowner’s policy)
Property management fees (typically 8–10% of monthly rent)
Maintenance and repairs
Vacancy gaps, where you’re still paying the mortgage without income
Marketing costs to find new tenants

These can add up quickly and eat into your potential rental profits.

If renting only sounds appealing because your home didn’t get much traction on the market, don’t panic. You may just need to revisit your pricing strategy, marketing, or listing presentation.

Sometimes, a relaunch with fresh photos, updated pricing, and a more strategic approach is all it takes to attract the right buyer. As a local REALTOR® in Southern California, I’ve helped many sellers reposition their homes successfully—without defaulting to renting.

A quick conversation with your agent (or with me!) can help you weigh your options objectively and make the smartest financial decision for your situation.

Final Takeaway

Becoming a landlord is a big decision—and not one to make lightly. If your home didn’t sell as expected, renting it out might seem like the next best move. But unless you're fully prepared for the financial, legal, and logistical responsibilities of being a landlord, it might not be the right fit.

Before you pivot your strategy, let’s talk about your options and see what’s possible in today’s market.