That isn't what a landlord does. They're supposed to keep the property maintained, help tenants with things that break, provide and maintain amenities, and handle macro issues like pest control and spraying.

There are absolutely shitty landlords out there who do nothing to earn their money, but there are also landlords who take their job seriously and maintain the property, and are genuinely helpful.

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

There are absolutely shitty landlords out there who do nothing to earn their money

That is because landlords don't extract rent for services, they extract rent simply from owning the property and charging rent to use it. That there are some landlords that maintain the value of their property better than others is irrelevant.

It's like saying "there were good slave owners, too!". It's not the treatment of the slaves that was the problem with slavery, it was the ownership and control of human beings. The problem isn't the poor service of landlords, it's the ownership and control over housing that someone else needs to exist. That landlords can still extract rent while doing nothing to maintain the property only serves as evidence that they aren't being paid for any kind of service or added value. They get paid simply because they own something someone else needs.

[–] gazter@aussie.zone 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How would a society without rentals work?

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Lol i like how both of these replies seem to concede landlords are like slave owners.

Do you consider mortgages to be the same as renting? They charge you interest in exchange for letting you borrow money to own your home, is that rent? I'm trying to figure out what's tripping you up. If landlords "provide housing" to those who can't afford to buy, banks do the same thing. If landlords provide maintenance to a property, maintenance workers and contractors do the same thing. If landlords manage a collection of related properties as in an apartment building, then a housing co-op does the same thing.

In all honesty, I have a really hard time understanding why you think landlords are somehow essential.

[–] gazter@aussie.zone 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I wasn't saying anything about mortgages equivalency to rent, or that landlords are essential. I'm just curious as to how a society without landlords would work, in your view.

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 1 points 1 year ago

Housing Co-ops, public housing, personal ownership.

[–] limelight79@lemm.ee -2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

What do you propose? No one owns land? Or everyone should be able to purchase a home?

[–] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago

Making it illegal to rent property you don't personally live on.

If someone wants to rent out their basement, or split their home into a duplex then they are creating housing and I have no problem with that. Someone purchasing a home they have no intention living in so they can profit off someone else requiring shelter to live is a parasite.

[–] lone_faerie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is this supposed to be some kinda gotcha? You think everyone being able to purchase a home is some kinda outlandish impossible feat?

[–] limelight79@lemm.ee 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No, serious question. Just wondering what world was being envisioned.

Not everyone wants to buy a house - if I know I'm only staying in an area for a year or two, I wouldn't want to go to the hassle of buying and selling a place. Or if I move to a new area, renting for a while until I decide where I want to live longer term is a useful tool.

[–] lone_faerie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 year ago

Ahh, I see! Personally, I think if everyone was able to afford a home, then buying and selling one wouldn't really be a hassle.