Intro — Landa's History
Founded in 2019 and based in New York, Landa is a real estate investing platform that specializes in fractional ownership of rental properties.
Landa was founded by CEO Yishai Cohen and CTO Amit Assaraf with the goal of making real estate investing more accessible. (Note that Cohen is an entrepreneur in his late twenties with no prior real estate experience.) Unlike traditional platforms that require large capital commitments, Landa allows investors to buy fractional shares of rental properties with as little as $5. However, while this low entry point is appealing, it raises concerns about the long-term sustainability and potential volatility of such small-scale investments.
The unique thing about Landa is its focus on residential rental properties rather than commercial real estate or farmland. If you're used to investing in multifamily, office, or retail properties, Landa might offer a new way to diversify your portfolio with single-family and multifamily rental units. That said, the platform's inventory has been limited at times, and investors may struggle to build a truly diversified portfolio if property selection remains restricted.
The platform operates as a marketplace where investors can browse available properties, purchase shares, and earn rental income through monthly dividends. Landa handles all aspects of property management, making it a fully passive investment. However, reliance on Landa’s internal management means investors have little control over decision-making, and some users have reported inconsistent rental income due to property vacancies or operational inefficiencies.
Is Landa legit? Can you trust them? Let’s discuss.
(Pictured: Landa CTO Amit Assaraf [left] and Landa CEO Yishai Cohen [right].)
Key Features
Landa specializes in fractional ownership of rental properties, allowing investors to own shares in income-generating residential real estate. The platform streamlines the investment process by managing the properties and distributing rental income to shareholders.
Here's how their model works: Landa acquires rental properties, divides them into fractional shares, and lists them on the platform. Investors can purchase as many shares as they like, starting with as little as $5. Landa manages the properties, collecting rent and handling maintenance, while investors receive monthly dividends from the rental income.
Landa’s properties are spread across various U.S. markets, providing geographic diversification. However, the properties are often concentrated in a few select cities, limiting broader market exposure. Additionally, as with any rental property investment, income is not guaranteed — if a unit remains vacant for an extended period, investors may see lower or no returns.
Investment Opportunities
Landa offers investments in rental properties located in cities such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Orlando. Unlike many real estate crowdfunding platforms, Landa does not require investors to be accredited, making real estate investment accessible to a broader audience. However, the limited property selection and high demand mean that investors may not always find available properties to invest in when they want.
Fee Structure
Though there are no fees on Landa for deposits or withdrawals, fees include an acquisition fee of up to 6%, a property management fee of up to 8%, and up to $2 with each depositing or withdrawing transaction. Compared to competitors like Fundrise or Arrived Homes, Landa’s fee structure can be relatively high, eating into overall investor returns.
Each trade also incurs a 2% fee charged by a third-party broker-dealer. That's a whole lot of fees.
Minimum Investment
The minimum investment starts at just $5, making it one of the most accessible real estate investing platforms on the market. However, while this low entry barrier is attractive, it also raises concerns about the platform’s ability to sustain long-term profitability, particularly if operating expenses outpace revenue from small-scale investors.
User Experience
The platform provides detailed information about each investment opportunity, including:
- Property location and details
- Rental income projections
- Historical occupancy rates
The interface is sleek and mobile-friendly, with a dedicated app that allows investors to track their investments and earnings easily. That said, some users have reported app glitches, slow property updates, and limited transparency regarding performance metrics.
Customer Support
Customer support is available via in-app messaging and email. Reviews suggest that response times are generally good, though some users have reported occasional delays and a lack of responsiveness when dealing with issues related to dividend payouts or property performance.
Investor Testimonials
Common Praise
- User-friendliness ("What I love about the app is how user-friendly it is, making it simple for someone like me to get started without a hefty initial investment")
Common Complaints
- No dividends ("I would like to give them zero stars. They are slow to respond to questions, no dividends have been paid in several months, and trading has been suspended since at least October of last year. They are inept or a scam. My investment is being held hostage. Beware. I’m having a much better experience with Ark7")
- High fees ("Very high fees and low dividends")
- Unhelpful customer service (“I invested money and was satified for awhile. I went to change my profile information and subsequently keep getting an internal message error. I now can not get my money out or do anything else on the app. I have been given the same answer for weeks from customer service. I do not know what to do at this point. Thinking of contacting my lawyer. I have seen similar complaints online.”)
(Comments from a couple of very unhappy Landa investors.)
Why You Should AVOID Landa
In February 2025, a New York judge ordered Landa to hand over 119 properties to an independent manager following a lawsuit from lenders Viola Credit and L Finance over $35 million in loans.
Landa owns over 200 properties primarily in Atlanta and the Southeast, plus some Brooklyn buildings, but many are reportedly vacant and in disrepair. Investor Dane Moreton, who put $7,000 into 13 Landa properties, doubts he will recover his investment. Judge Jennifer Schecter has threatened to hold Landa in contempt of court if they continue to violate the injunction. The company has disputed the allegations through their recently hired attorney.
Keep an eye on this story. It could spell the end for Landa, which already seems to be struggling.
Similar Real Estate Crowdfunding Platform Comparison
Landa vs. Groundfloor
In many ways, Landa and Groundfloor are similar platforms. Both platforms focus on rental properties, which are made available to both accredited and non-accredited investors. This is because both platforms make use of 506(c) of the Securities Act’s Regulation D. The main difference between them — and this is crucial — is that Groundfloor has proven itself much trustworthy and is held in much higher regard than Landa. Groundfloor pays dividends more consistently, boasts lower fees, and hasn't gotten itself into legal troubles.
Landa vs. CrowdStreet and EquityMultiple
Landa and these other two platforms — CrowdStreet and EquityMultiple — stand in stark contrast. Landa offers investments to both accredited and non-accredited investors, starting at just $5, whereas CrowdStreet and EquityMultiple investments start at $2,5000 and $5,000, respectively, and are limited to accredited investors only. EquityMultiple, in particular, is known for screening new offerings much more rigorously, claiming a 5% acceptance rate. Landa's offerings, by contrast, are pretty bottom-of-the-barrel.
Scoring Landa
Platform Details
- Years in Operation: 7 (since 2019)
- Minimum Investment: $5
- Types of Investments Offered: Equity in rental properties
- Accreditation Requirement: Yes
User Experience
- Ease of Use: 4 Stars ... Professional interface with comprehensive property information
- Account Setup: 3.5 Stars ... Thorough but necessarily complex due to accreditation requirements
- Customer Support: 4 Stars ... Responsive team with agricultural expertise
Investment Experience
- Investment Options: 2.5 Stars ... Limited and often unavailable properties, concentrated in specific regions, making diversification difficult
- Returns: 2 Stars ... Monthly dividends are inconsistent, and recent financial troubles raise concerns over long-term profitability and potential investor losses
- Risk Management: 2.5 Stars ... Professional property management in theory, but legal disputes, financial mismanagement, and poor oversight raise red flags
Platform Transparency
- Disclosure of Information: 2.5 Stars ... 2.5 Stars ... Some property details are available, but financial instability and lack of clear, timely updates about legal and operational issues create uncertainty
- Fee Structure: 2 Stars ... Higher-than-average fees relative to competitors, which significantly cut into already uncertain returns
Overall Rating — 2 Stars ★★☆☆☆
- Summary: Landa provides an accessible way for retail investors to gain fractional ownership in rental properties with a low minimum investment. The platform’s hands-off approach and mobile-friendly interface make it appealing, but its financial instability, legal troubles, and inconsistent returns raise major concerns.
- Pros: Low barrier to entry, no accreditation requirement, passive real estate income potential, professional property management to institutional-quality farmland investments, professional management and strong due diligence, geographical diversification options, historically stable asset class
- Cons: Limited property availability, high fees relative to competitors, inconsistent dividend payments, legal and financial instability, questionable transparency, poor investor support
- Would Recommend? No, unless you're comfortable with potential legal troubles and financial instability
Conclusion
Landa once may have had potential, but its current execution leaves room for serious concern. The recent lawsuit, financial struggles, and investor uncertainty make it a misguided choice. Investors should approach with caution and be aware of the risks involved in fractional rental property ownership. As always, due diligence is crucial before committing funds.