Girlwithpen t1_isqn20d wrote on October 17, 2022 at 11:50 PM

Reply to comment by Cersad in Rent going up? One company’s algorithm could be why by anurodhp

Yes, housing is fundamental but it is not the responsibility of a home owner to house you. Especially in Massachusetts, people who can't afford housing have oodles of funding help available through the government. Many, many rental units are owned by a mom and pop landlord who has the property as an investment. Should this landlord go into debt or risk their investment to provide housing someone can't otherwise afford? If you can't afford rent you get a roommate or rent in a less desirable city or suburb. Also. Life choices. With the exception of a very small percentage, people who own a home rental or single family made a significant series of life choices and sacrifices to get there.

Cersad t1_isrecej wrote on October 18, 2022 at 3:29 AM

Nah, the responsibility is on the city and state government. Land is a finite resource, and cities and states seem to have a legitimate interest in preventing property monopolies from forming.

Also there's legitimate interest in preventing price cartels from forming, like what that software tool is creating.

Everything else you said isn't really that relevant; owners gonna own. Regulators gotta regulate.