I&#x27;m really confused... The thing of value you are providing as a landlord is <i>housing</i>. How is it skimming? Putting money towards a house&#x2F;condo instead of investing it in business has an opportunity cost. You lose out on the profits from dividends&#x2F;interest&#x2F;cap gains. That has to be replaced. If you charge too much rent, other people will under-cut you. The price is set by available housing. Where is the deceit?<p>Do you feel you would owe people the freedom to use your property free-of-charge? What about the mortgage payments you endure? The maintenance&#x2F;upkeep (roofs, siding, carpet, plumbing, electrical, all amortized over the life of the building)? Should this be a loss you take in order to let someone else sleep in your house?<p>Disclosure of bias: In Seattle where I live, the cost of real estate is higher than the prevailing rents, when you factor mortgage payments, maintenance, utilities, HOA, etc. This makes it a little easier for me to see the equity in pricing between rentals and owned homes. It may be different in your parts of the world.