Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways El Paso rental rates have jumped 15% in the past year, but many landlords still can't make the numbers work Eviction backlogs and tenant protection laws are creating 6-month+ income gaps for property owners Military housing allowance changes at Fort Bliss are shifting rental demand patterns across the city Smart landlords are cashing out now while property values are still strong

El Paso Landlords Are Throwing in the Towel — What This Means for Your Rental Property

Look, I've been buying problem properties in El Paso for over a decade, and I'm getting more calls from frustrated landlords than ever before. Just last week, I had a guy call me who owned three rental houses near UTEP. He was done. Completely done. One tenant hadn't paid rent in eight months, another property needed a new roof, and the third had code violations from the city that would cost him $15,000 to fix.

"Uncle Charles," he said, "I just want out. Can you buy all three properties as-is?"

That conversation happens more often than you'd think. Here's what's really going on with El Paso's rental market in 2026 — and why so many landlords are looking for the exit door.

The Real Numbers Behind El Paso's Rental Market

According to recent data from RentData.org and local property management companies, the average rent in El Paso hit $1,285 per month in early 2026 — that's up 15% from last year. Sounds great if you're a landlord, right? Not so fast.

Here's the thing nobody talks about: higher rents don't mean higher profits when your expenses are going through the roof. Property taxes in El Paso County jumped 12% this year alone. Insurance costs are up 20% because of increased claims from last year's hail storms. And don't get me started on maintenance costs — a simple HVAC repair that cost $400 two years ago now runs $650.

The vacancy rate tells the real story. While citywide vacancy sits at about 8.5%, that number hides some ugly truths. In certain neighborhoods like Central El Paso and parts of the Lower Valley, I'm seeing vacancy rates closer to 15%. Properties are sitting empty longer, and when landlords do find tenants, they're dealing with more applications from people with shaky credit or income issues.

Fort Bliss Changes Everything (Again)

If you own rental property in El Paso, your success or failure probably depends on what's happening at Fort Bliss. The base employs over 25,000 people and drives a huge chunk of rental demand. But here's what's changed recently that's got landlords worried.

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for Fort Bliss personnel got adjusted this year, and it's not the good news landlords were hoping for. For an E-5 with dependents, the BAH dropped from $1,320 to $1,290 per month. That might not sound like much, but when you're competing for military tenants, every dollar matters.

Plus, the base has been encouraging more personnel to live on-base in newly renovated housing. That's fewer potential renters looking for off-base housing. I've talked to landlords near the base who used to have waiting lists for their properties. Now they're offering move-in specials and still struggling to fill units.

The Student Housing Headache

Don't think student housing near UTEP is any easier. Sure, enrollment is steady, but student housing comes with its own set of problems. I bought a four-bedroom house from a landlord last month who was renting to college kids. The place had holes in the walls, a kitchen that looked like a disaster zone, and a backyard that needed a full landscape overhaul.

"I spent more on repairs each semester than I made in rent," he told me. "These kids would move out and leave me with thousands in damages that their security deposits couldn't even touch."

The Eviction Backlog Nobody Talks About

Here's where things get really ugly for El Paso landlords. The eviction process that used to take 30-45 days now averages 4-6 months. The courts are still backed up from pandemic-era delays, and tenant protection laws have made the process more complicated.

I talked to a property management company here in El Paso that handles about 300 rental units. They told me they currently have 23 evictions in various stages of the process. Some have been ongoing for over seven months. That's seven months of no rent coming in while mortgage payments, taxes, and insurance still need to be paid.

And here's the kicker — even when landlords win the eviction, collecting back rent is nearly impossible. Most tenants who get evicted don't have thousands of dollars sitting around to pay what they owe. So landlords eat the loss and start over with a property that probably needs repairs before the next tenant moves in.

Code Enforcement Crackdowns

The City of El Paso has gotten more aggressive about code enforcement in the past year, especially in older neighborhoods. I see it firsthand when I'm evaluating properties for HOMESELL USA. Landlords are getting hit with violation notices for everything from chipped paint to outdated electrical systems.

One landlord showed me a violation notice for a property built in 1978 that needed $22,000 in updates to meet current codes. The property was only worth about $85,000, and he was collecting $850 per month in rent. Do the math — there's no way to make that work financially.

"I've been a landlord for 20 years," he told me, "but I can't keep throwing money at these old properties just to keep the city happy. I need to sell and get out while I still can."

Why Smart Landlords Are Cashing Out Now

Look, I'm not trying to scare anyone here. But if you're a small-time landlord in El Paso with one or two rental properties, you need to seriously consider whether this business still makes sense for you.

Property values are still decent right now. According to the El Paso Central Appraisal District, median home values increased about 8% this year. That means if you sell now, you can probably walk away with some profit. But if you wait and get stuck dealing with problem tenants, major repairs, or extended vacancies, that profit could disappear fast.

I've seen it happen too many times. A landlord thinks they can ride out the problems, then gets hit with a perfect storm of issues — a tenant stops paying rent, the AC unit dies during summer, and the city sends a code violation notice. Suddenly they're looking at $10,000+ in expenses with no income coming in.

The HOMESELL USA Solution

That's where companies like HOMESELL USA come in. We buy rental properties in any condition, with tenants or without, code violations and all. No repairs needed, no commissions, and we can close fast. Whether you're dealing with problem tenants, deferred maintenance, or just want out of the landlord business, we can make it happen.

I bought a duplex last month from a landlord who inherited it from his dad. One unit had a tenant who hadn't paid rent in five months, and the other unit needed a complete kitchen renovation. The city had also tagged it for foundation issues. This guy just wanted to be done with the headache.

We closed in 12 days. He walked away with cash and never had to deal with evicting the tenant or fixing the foundation. That's the kind of solution more El Paso landlords need to know about.

What's Coming Next

I don't see things getting easier for small landlords in El Paso. Insurance costs keep rising, maintenance gets more expensive every year, and tenant laws continue to favor renters over property owners. The big property management companies and institutional investors can absorb these costs and delays. Small landlords? Not so much.

If you're thinking about getting out of the rental business, don't wait until you're desperate. Properties sell for better prices when you're not under pressure from problem tenants or code enforcement deadlines.

Whether you sell to us at HOMESELL USA or find another solution, the key is being honest about whether your rental property is still an asset or has become a liability. Too many landlords hold on too long and end up losing money they could have saved by making a smart exit.

If any of this sounds familiar — if you're dealing with problem tenants, expensive repairs, or just tired of the landlord headaches — give Uncle Charles a call. No pressure, no judgment, just straight answers about your options. I've helped hundreds of El Paso property owners get out of tough situations, and I can probably help you too.

Frequently Asked Questions