Only 9 cents of every $1 dollar of rent returns to owners, while 39 cents pays the mortgage on the property. Another 10 cents is spent on capital expenditures like repairs. The remaining costs include 27 cents for payroll expenses to maintain the property, and 14 cents for property taxes that support local communities. Rent payments are an important source of revenue for owners to cover these costs, maintain quality housing, and support many Americans' retirement plans through investment returns.