The real estate market in Rio de Janeiro faces a contradiction between the tradition of contracts closed directly between tenants and landlords and the need for financial security. According to a QuintoAndar study, 45% of property owners signed their most recent contracts directly, without professional intermediation. Of this total, 33% are agreements signed without notarization and 12% are based solely on verbal agreements.
Although many property owners cite the intention to avoid fees and bureaucracy as the main reason for choosing direct agreements (39%), this model ultimately concentrates financial and legal risks on the landlord. The study shows that the main concern for those renting out a property is finding a tenant who will take proper care of the asset (78%), followed by difficulties related to bureaucracy and contract management (37%).
Financial security and property protection
To address these challenges, QuintoAndar offers an exclusive model that directly tackles the main concerns of property owners in Rio. Landlords benefit from Guaranteed Rent, ensuring they receive payments on time even if tenants default. In addition, the platform provides Damage Protection, under which QuintoAndar, after assessment, may support property owners by covering repair costs for damages left at the end of the contract.
“There is a perception that direct agreements reduce costs, but in practice, the landlord assumes risks such as default and property damage alone. Direct agreements may seem simple at first, but they create insecurity throughout the rental period. That’s why we need platforms that ensure security for all parties involved in a rental,” says Camila Cardoso, Senior Director of Operations at QuintoAndar.
Benefits for the entire ecosystem
For tenants, the advantages go beyond an optimized search experience and the agility of closing deals 100% digitally. The company offers legal security through a robust contract that protects all parties involved in the transaction, preventing unexpected contract breaches that are common in the informal market.
The prevalence of direct negotiations harms the market as a whole, reducing supply in professional channels and limiting the work of brokers and real estate agencies. The R$100 million investment announced by QuintoAndar aims precisely to professionalize this ecosystem in Rio de Janeiro, bringing predictability and trust to the city.
Expansion and goals
In addition to the financial investment, the company recently announced the expansion of its platform into more than 100 new regions across the state. To meet this growing demand, the company plans to increase the number of brokers in its network by 40%.
Study methodology
The study was developed based on quantitative and qualitative research conducted with property owners who rent out real estate, including both QuintoAndar clients and non-clients, across different Brazilian capitals. The analysis combined structured surveys and in-depth interviews to understand the perceptions, challenges, and motivations of this audience.