I know they use software to figure out optimal rent, I just wonder how sophisticated the algorithm is. It might just use industry statistics and simple arithmetic to determine how many people will move out if rent is raised a by a certain amount, how much this will increase revenue, and how much the additional vacancies will reduce revenue. Finding the sweet spot wouldn't be hard at all. But this isn't worth much unless it also takes into account the costs of vandalism, evicting squatters, and whatever else might be involved.

Imagine trying to understand different perspectives.

Critical thinking really is dead if this is the kind of attitude you think is acceptable.

I'm literally not advocating for anything. I'm sharing knowledge and allowing others to come to their own conclusions.

Are you participating in the same thread that I am?

I literally said that landlords are using software to set the prices with software in collaboration with other landlords.

I also said there are lawsuits open about this action.

I was then told not to be a devil's advocate, and my response was, I am not advocating for anything.

Now you say that I am making excuses?

What logic train are you guys all on?

Because I am not on the same logic train as you.

Ihave not supported anything, or advocated for anything, or excused anything and yet you seem to have convinced yourself that I have, and I don't know where it's coming from.

Like if I'm fucking up fine, you know, downvote me. If I'm saying something that's controversial, fine, downvote me. But nothing I have said should be considered a fuck-up or controversial. So I don't know why people are against me saying it.

They didn't know that it would probably become an airbnb, but the likelihood of such a place becoming one or being bought by somebody else wanting to charge higher rents isn't exactly low either.

The whole "market rates" thing is used by corporate landlords to increase prices, and controlling available properties - including by leaving vacancies - is one way that do that. By the same token, charging below "market rates" could also help of enough did it, especially if the places are decent and money re-invested in proper upkeep. Many/most though are not even investing in proper maintenance/repairs while charging over an above the cost of entire mortgages, which IMO is just greedy bullshit

I mean I guess I could have left it empty while I myself rented from someone? I don’t see how that’d make me a better person though.

I’m not really buying your argument. You’re not making any real argument of how I hurt anyone or even caused a net negative on society. You’re speculating that because I didn’t hand the house to someone “who needed it”, that I somehow did wrong. I didn’t price gouge. I didn’t raise the rent. I repair things in a timely manner. The renter pays less than they would if they bought the house, aren’t responsible for anything major, and can leave at just about anytime. Seems like a net positive in my book? Sure, they paid me… but am I supposed to give it away for free? Selling it probably would have landed me more money. Are you pitching a world where everyone has to lock in to a 30 year loan and be stuck there? Or is this an argument where housing should be free or something? (Sure, whatever… but that’s a different topic)

You aren't saving people money by taking rental payments, you aren't a hero for potentially stopping someone from using the property as an airbnb, you are a landlord.

I don’t think I’m a hero. I do think I’m saving them money. They could have foregone a rental and bought a house. They chose not to to save money for a business.