To think rent increases “because of inflation” are immoral when many landlords own outright?

[RentRealityCheck]

I keep seeing rent hikes justified with “inflation”, even where the landlord has no mortgage and their costs haven’t meaningfully increased. At that point it feels like pure profit-taking, passed directly onto tenants who already have no leverage and with huge knock-on effects for stability, mental health, family life and society more broadly.

AIBU to think this isn’t just market forces but greed and that pretending otherwise ignores the damage being done?

Okay so business owners should pay employees who have paid off their mortgages less too since they don’t need the extra money. It cuts both ways.

Not necesarily to do with landlords, no. The system is set in such a way that is nearly impossible to keep the prices down. However, since I moved in to my town thousands and thousands of houses have been built. New neighbourhoods popping up like mushrooms after rain. Not only in my town, everywhere. If there are so many new homes being built how are the prices still so high? Why they come on the market at crazy prices and being sold as plots way before anything is built?l, sometimes years in advance? Where do they all go? We are out of EU now so can't use this excuse anymore after so many years. Is a mistery I could never wrap my head around.

Totally agree OP. Even if the landlord has a mortgage, why on earth should the rent cover the entire mortgage when at the end of the term the landlord is going to own a hugely expensive asset? They’re not covering costs, they’re expecting the renters to buy them a house 😡

That is exactly the problem, it SHOULDN’T be a business. You are not selling goods and services, a home is not a hotel!

I agree with the OP, this is why rents are unaffordable !!

There’s really nothing stopping you from buying houses and letting people live there at cost. Show the immoral people how’s its done.

@SleepQuest33 if it’s not a business what do you suggest? Where would houses to rent come from?

So you are happy to invest your life savings in a house, that you let out to someone who trashes the carpets, kitchen and bathrooms, and leaves you to pay thousands for a refit before you can let it again, but you aren't allowed to make a profit, to give a return on inveatment, to cover those costs and to pay for the time it takes to fix?

There would be no homes to let if this were true.

Wouldn't rent match properties in area and not a figure tenants think?

Accidentally put YABU but meant YANBU. For some reason a lot of people on here seem to think that being a landlord is a right. It’s not.

So the OP is suggesting that anyone who doesn't have a mortgage and owns outright should rent out their property below market rates. How utterly ridiculous.

Of course being able to rent out a residential property is a right, What do you mean?

Could you please point me to where you’re given the right to be a landlord?

Being a landlord is a privilege. I find it absolutely abhorrent that people defend it.

She’s right. Market rates are insanely high.

https://www.gov.uk/renting-out-a-property

I’m really not following, its a privilege and abhorrent? Can you explsin what you mean

@sleepyjessie in what way is it a privilege?

Food is a necessity for people, should supermarkets not be a business?

I get renting properties should be a regulated business (which it is) but whilst Government don’t have enough housing stock what do you suggest?

Assuming the landlords are responsible for fixing things etc, they will be paying more for handymen, equipment, replacing appliances (inflation), so naturally they will be rising the rents accordingly.

I’m sure with the added tax and legislation they will come down,

Presumably only if that market rate is pure exploitation and greed.

I’m still waiting for you to show me that you have a right to be a landlord? If so, how do I pursue the people stopping me from obtaining a property?

Good?

In that as I’m constantly told on here, even owning one home is a privilege. I completely agree that food shouldn’t be as profitable a business as it is.

I personally believe that landlords should have their property seized and sold. There isn’t enough housing stock because of people hoarding property.

I rent (buying soon) but landlords are not a charity and obviously want to make money. Why shouldn’t they charge market rents?

Because housing is a necessity? It’s the same as how food and utilities shouldn’t be run to make a profit.

Who is stopping you buying a property

Landlords who hoard and reduce supply, pushing up prices.