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All of what you say is true, for some landlords. Fortunately (around the world) its not true for many of them. That said the primary focus on money in the US ma
by bruce511 3y ago
All of what you say is true, for some landlords. Fortunately (around the world) its not true for many of them. That said the primary focus on money in the US makes the situation there much worse.
Western society also sees home-ownershop as a primary "good thing", and positions home ownership as a goal everyone should aspire to.
In truth, a large segment of the population is better served by renting. Those that move area frequently. Those who don't have sufficient capital or income to pay for such a large asset. Those who can't get a mortgage. Those who aren't ready to make a 30 year commitment to a location. Elder folk who don't want to die with a large asset, but would rather cash-out their house and actually spend that capital.
Since most Western governments do not provide rental housing (or are slowly reducing housing stocks) - it falls to the private sector (lumped together as landlords) to provide you need.
Incidentally shortages are not the fault of landlords, but of a population growing faster than housing supply. Supply is mostly constrained directly or indirectly, by existing home owners where the primary reason against any change us "preservation of house prices in our neighbourhood". This is driven by home-owners who have been persuaded that their house is an "investment".
So you may not like landlords, and like any profession there are plenty of bad examples to hate, but the removal of rent completely as a housing option would be disastrous to a huge segment of society.
- IndoorPatio 3y agoNo one is suggesting the removal of rent. The solution for a higher quality of life for all involved is public housing. This is a problem that Vienna has solved. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/magazine/vienna-social-housing.html https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/magazine/vienna-social-ho...
- bruce511 3y agoI agree that public housing is a very good solution. However most countries have not succeeded I providing this and until that happens villifying private landlords is not helpful. By all means advocate for social housing, an general easing of restrictions to new housing development. I'm right behind you in that.
- IndoorPatio 3y agoVilifying private landlords is helpful in advocating for public housing and denouncing Rentier Capitalism. Rather than seeking to live off the wages of others, people are better served by earning a wage themselves.
- bruce511 3y agoThe essence of capitalism is that capital can be used to produce income. Rent, and specifically residential property rent are a tiny fraction of that. Why it's possible to highlight the negative effects of capitalism in general, I feel like that's a "boil the ocean" problem. The root of the housing issue is supply. It doesn't matter who owns the accommodation - there's a shortage of it - and that's driving prices up. I more useful strategy IMO is to look at policies that would encourage all levels (private and govt) to develop more housing and increase the supply.
- 000ooo000 3y agoThe shortage you mention, do you think it would exist or exist in as significant a degree if landlords were not buying properties they have no intention of occupying?
- IndoorPatio 3y agoUnder capitalism there's an incentive to manufacture a shortage to drive prices up. That's why Vienna has such a higher quality of life than anywhere in the US: robust public housing which does not have such a detrimental incentive. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/23/vienna-reclaims-title-of-the-worlds-most-liveable-city https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/23/vienna-reclaim...