[Eisenstein]

The current implementation seems to be causing an issue where it is not in the landlord's interest to offer the units to the market. It is the regulation's fault for creating disincentives for the landlord, so it depends on how you allocate blame for making a judgement based on that.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't try, or that we need to stick to a counterproductive plan because some people think arguing about regulations on free markets is more important than fixing a pressing problem.

[bamboozled]

No you just made it sound like it was kind of stupid to even attempt such a law.

Similar laws exists in Tokyo and it seems like a non-issue. Find me an empty apartment in Tokyo and I’ll be surprised. Maybe the problem exists elsewhere in society, for example: maybe the cost of living and property in NYC is just too expensive no matter what regulations exist?

I’m saying this because I’d imagine if people don’t think it’s worth renting the apartments, why not sell to citizens so they can buy in them and live there?

I feel like the world is starting to wake up to the fact that while it’s not easy to outlaw properly speculation, it’s going to be one if the major problems that define our time.

[Eisenstein]

How it sounded to you was not my intended tone. If you read what I wrote again you may take away from my response that knee-jerking an argument about regulations in general is not something I find productive, but rather discussion of specific policies. It appears this one is not effective at its goal.

[tomcam]

Asking questions on HN can be… tiring

[Dwolb]

Your original comment laid out the logic very well.

I’m not sure why the response took an emotional turn, but it wasn’t warranted.

I wish there were sites where more people people could wage discussions in your manner.

[MichaelZuo]

The larger the community the more it will trend towards the population average. That's why exclusive clubs began in the first place.

[bamboozled]

I find your comment shockingly cynical and sad.

I’m sorry you live with such a negative view of others.

[MichaelZuo]

You find probability theory and statistics to be cynical and sad?

If so, I'm sorry you live with such a negative view of education.

[djbebs]

Tokyo has significantly stronger property rights thay make it almost impossible for anyone including the government to stop someone from building something on their land.

[sokoloff]

An apartment market with zero vacant units seems like a non-functioning market as well. How does anyone move into (or within) such a city?