In some areas there’s nothing but plexes available. I’d say one plex=one property. Even if it has multiple units.
Then these shouldn’t be privately owned as a whole, wasn’t it the OP’s point?
There is some advantages to renting sometimes. I don’t think all properties should be for ownership only.
If you have to stay somewhere temporarily for a few years and intend on eventually moving, maybe you don’t want to go through all the hassle of buying a property. Renting is a simpler solution.
Or if you don’t want to be responsible for your residence, its maintenance, fees, taxes, etc. and rather let someone else take care of it, you can rent and let the landlord take care of everything.
Of course, capitalism and greed completely fucked up the whole system. Without strong regulation, there’s going to be abuses by anyone driven by greed.
Not all landlords are rat bastards. Some actually do care about their tenants and their well being and comfort. Just as there are tenants who just wreck everything in their residence and make a living hell for their neighbors and landlord.
I’ve been on both sides. I rented for nearly 10 years and had to deal with an asshole landlord at the beginning. The new landlord kept my rent the same for 8 years because she didn’t want to lose me since I was a good tenant who took care of my home. When my girlfriend and I finally moved in together, she kept her condi and decided to rent it in case our relationship didn’t work out after moving in together. And she’s had some awful tenants who destroyed her place. Right now she has good tenants and we’re doing our best to provide them a comfortable living space while being fair. We’re not looking to make profit off the tenants. Hell she’s even renting lower than what it actually costs to keep the place! Losing a couple of thousands per year on taxes and condo fees and replacing furniture when it breaks.
But, I gotta say, the rental market is plagued with greedy sociopaths and it’s hard to feel any sympathy towards any landlord.
You can still live on a property you don’t own without having a landlord. Housing cooperatives are a collective ownership of the property where you elect a property management board from the residents and pay a membership due for living there. There is no profit or excessive rent because it’s all money that belongs to you collectively.
