[ta1243]

So no matter who owns the property, they are full. The problem is still too much demand for the supply. Indeed in the UK you're more likely to have a higher population density in rented houses (2 or 3 people rent a single apartment, if they all bought they would need 3 apartments)

Why does it matter who owns the property. If the market worked well there would be no gains from asset inflation, and income from renting would be pushed towards the cost of providing renting, like it does with well functioning markets.

The problem is the lack of supply, not who owns them. Now you could argue that short-term-rents are not "valid" demand, but again with UK stats outside of very specific areas the number of short-term rentals is a tiny portion of the housing market.