&quot;[can&#x27;t claim ...] property owner is adding value to a property&quot;<p>The property&#x27;s mere continued existence is adding that value.<p>&quot;Do you now understand what I mean when I say &quot;$CURRENT_LANDLORD has done nothing to improve the value of their property.&quot;?&quot;<p>Sure (in a hands-getting-dirty sense), and it is unfortunate.  On the other hand, the landlord is a commercial beast.  Come to think of it, if stuck with suppressed income, it&#x27;s hard to see much incentive (never mind available $) to improve the property on an ongoing basis.  This too can be yet another unintended consequence of rent control.