So, one or two neighbourhoods?
Barring some dramatic kind of tenure reform, this isn’t such a bad idea for tenants, given that unlike so many landlords, this venture is being run by firms big enough to attract scrutiny, and competent enough to know what processes and laws to follow, even if they will push those boundaries.
As an aside, the article also refers to a story on ‘digitising the rental market’ which seems to be about moving the US market away from rent checks? Why are these still a thing there? in most countries at least in OECD this is like doing business via fax or even telex.
An excellent argument for further consolidation of every industry - now they are big enough to attract scrutiny! Look, less competition is actually better for consumers!
Not arguing that at all - real estate is weird in that it’s much less liquid than other retail markets, and moreover buyers ie renters are at a further economic and information disadvantage. So some consolidation in the context of making the market more transparent and better regulated for renters to counter this _maybe_ should not be immediately dismissed if there is not a political mandate for more dramatic reforms.
It sounds like you're arguing in good faith, but no, I'm sorry, you're just wrong. In any conflict, a smaller adversary is better. Individual landlords, who live in the neighborhood, are in every way more accountable for their behavior.
Sounds like you don't live in the US... I have a feeling rental companies are very different where you live. They are notoriously and laughably bad here. Broken webapps, slow replies, understaffed maintenance crews, misdirection in the name of profit, and sometimes outright deception.
As an aside, the article also refers to a story on ‘digitising the rental market’ which seems to be about moving the US market away from rent checks? Why are these still a thing there? in most countries at least in OECD this is like doing business via fax or even telex.