Single-family rental demand remained strong at the end of 2025, according to the December/Full-Year 2025 Rental Market Update from the Houston Association of REALTORS®.
Leases of single-family rentals leapt 9.4% year over year in December, with 3,283 leases signed. At the same time, new listings jumped 21.2% year over year with 5,486 SFRs added to the MLS, providing a plethora of single-family options for Houston renters. Amid increased inventory, the typical SFR stayed on the market for 48 days, up one week from December 2024.
For the full year, renters signed 47,292 leases, up 6.2% from 2024. The total dollar value increased 6.9% to over $110 million.
Lease prices were relatively flat throughout the year, with the average declining 0.8% year over year to $2,245 in December. That was nearly $20 cheaper than December 2024 and marked the sixth-straight month of statistically unchanged prices.
“A growing supply of rental properties gave renters more flexibility in 2025, while steady demand kept leasing activity moving at a healthy pace without putting upward pressure on prices,” said HAR Chair Theresa Hill. “Even as interest rates ease, rental demand is expected to remain strong this year.”
For townhome and condominium rentals, leasing activity in 2025 stuttered compared to 2024 but increased annually in December. Houston renters signed leases for 7,171 condos and townhomes in 2025, down 3.9% year over year, but leased 518 in December, up 11.2% from December 2024. Days on market increased from 49 days to 51 days.