1056

submitted 9 months ago by Grayox@lemmy.ml to c/memes@lemmy.ml

142 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca 27 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

The business in this case being what? What good or service is being provided? Landlords didn't create the land, nor did they build the residence, nor did they improve its value by building a community around it. They are benefiting off of the work of others simply because they "own" it. The most common arguments I hear in support of landlords are:

Landlords take care of maintenance. Maintenance costs don't increase 20% a year. If rent was simply maintenance costs it would be a fraction of what it currently is
Landlords allow people who cannot afford a home a place to stay. Why do you think they can't afford a home? It's like saying without scalpers people wouldn't be able to see concerts because the tickets are instantly purchased by bots.

[-] eclectic_electron@sh.itjust.works 18 points 9 months ago

Landlords take on risk. For example, when I rented an apartment, I came home one day to a plumbing disaster. I called emergency maintenance and left. The landlord fixed it and paid for my hotel in the meantime. As a home owner now, that would be entirely on me to figure out. I'm pretty handy, but I have no disrespect for someone who doesn't want to be responsible for that.

More importantly, selling a house costs about 10% of the value of the house, and the first few years of a mortgage you're mostly paying interest. If you move every 3 years, it's actually cheaper to rent than to buy. It's just that your money is going to a landlord instead of to banks and realtors.

So while I see your argument that landlords don't "deserve" the money they make, practically they're an important part of the housing market, and I respect people who make an informed decision to rent.