[torginus]

There are a bunch of successful models, people usually mention Vienna as having a particularly effective housing policy - what they did is the city bought up a bunch of land, and built housing on top of it in various government subsidy programs, from non-profit public benefit corporations, to social housing for the poor.

They have strong renters rights, protections against rent increases, and high standards to which dwellings must conform to.

So while you can be a landlord in Vienna, you have to compete with affordable housing options, and you're forced to maintain a high quality yourself.

So that means that unless you can offer something the market's willing to pay extra for, being a landlord is not particularly lucrative thing.

Notice nowhere in my post did I mention the typical 'landlords are evil and must be taxed to death' approach.

Which is in stark contrast to most places where you're paying through the nose, the standard of rented dwellings is low and your rent can be increased or you can be kicked out on moments notice.