I doubt I'd have been able to move cities and change careers without renting an apartment. I think there is a role for landlords in society, but I also think a lack of regulations and poor housing/urban planning laws has blurred the lines of that role and pushed the priority into profits over everything.

There are valid reason to want to rent over owning such as short term employment, college/university, or just feeling out a city/area before commiting to a property.

[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Housing cooperatives can fill the void you're thinking about. We don't need landlords, they're just leeches on society.

[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I think landlords could exist with better regulation, lisencing needed to become a landlord, proof of maintaince etc. Currently all it really takes is to own something and post an ad.

[–] usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I've never heard of housing cooperatives as a way to rent. If I'm renting from a co-op, aren't they my landlord then?

[–] rockSlayer@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago

No, it's more like being a member of a union. Your cooperative owns the property, and everyone elects stewards to manage the property

[–] Mint@lemmy.one 11 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

They didn't say renters shouldn't exist, they said landlords shouldn't.

[–] NoIWontPickAName@kbin.earth 5 points 7 months ago

And that role can be covered by the government