[Chris2048]

> The landlord assumes risk of depreciation, but the response to the 2008 financial crisis showed that risk to be minimal

Then it seems you think risk is overpriced. That fair enough.

But if the whole market of landlords disagrees, the burden is on you to demonstrate otherwise.

> the response to the 2008 financial crisis showed

That's like saying "the fact my house didn't burn down showed that my fire-insurance was worthless". That's not how risk works.

If you disagree, buy a house yourself, and offer it at lower-than-market rental rates. If no one with skin in the game is willing to do that, what can be done? It's not like the lower-end rental market is only affordable to the 1% - There are plenty small-time middle-class landlords.