I'm surprised I've never made this connection before. What a wonderfully easy-for-most-people-to-understand analogy.
this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2026
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Mmmmmmmmmmm... I like the sentiment, but I don't think I agree. Real estate speculators are who you're describing, and they suck, but I don't think anyone would be shocked that they're like scalpers.
Landlords don't really care about hoarding or scarcity really, they're buying things to rent to people. Like blockbuster. I mean, letting other people live there is basically the point, it's not exactly hoarding...
Not everybody wants to buy a house. They serve a necessary market function.
Landlord’s do not. Community housing does.
Vienna is a great example of this for anyone interested.
I think it's similar to everything else in the economy. As long as the landlords are small, independent entities, I don't see much of a problem. But institutional investors amassing more and more wealth and power to the point that they can make their own rules, that's a significant issue IMO.
No.
I’m in Australia. 72% of landlords own only one investment property. They fuck us over at every chance. It’s the same grift whoever plays it, they chase the highest market rates and pay the least expenses (I.e. neglect repairs, substandard maintenance, etc.)
There is no such thing as the ethical “mom and pop” landlords as Americans call it.
they chase the highest market rates and pay the least expenses
As everyone else does. While I don't object your argument, I don't see this as a specific issue with landlords. It's just standard capitalism. Which sucks, but I personally think it's unfair to blame just that one group specifically.
If you need a plumber, someone to fix your car, someone to help your children in school or to repair your PC... Most contractors typically will charge as much as the market allows. Also supermarkets don't sell stuff cheaper out of goodwill. If the market gets out of control, it's the government's job to intervene and regulate. And unless it's a multi billion corporation I at least think that such regulation is possible.