&gt; The only reason people need to rent is because of the requirements to own (down payments, emergency funds to cover your mortgage in tough times so you don&#x27;t lose your equity)<p>So, in other words, the landlord is selling a service?  In exchange for a monthly fee, you don&#x27;t have to do any of the crap (down payments, mortgages, property taxes, maintenance) it takes to own a home?<p>Do you view farmers the same way?  If it weren&#x27;t for the fact that you need to eat to survive, you wouldn&#x27;t have to buy their product!  And what do they do anyway? Just plant some seeds in the ground and wait for them to grow! Those damn leeches!