Rented Housing

Background

Rented housing refers to residential properties owned by an entity other than the occupant. The occupant, termed as a tenant, pays a periodic rent to the owner in exchange for the right to reside in the property. The ownership of rented housing may lie with private individuals, corporate entities, non-profit housing associations, or public bodies such as local authorities.

Historical Context

The concept of rented housing has evolved considerably over time. Initially, it was prevalent in feudal economies where serfs and peasants lived in homes owned by landlords. In contemporary terms, rented housing became mainstream post-industrial revolution when urbanization triggered a mass migration from rural to urban areas, leading to increased demand for urban housing. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, evolving economic models and housing policies further molded the rented housing market.

Definitions and Concepts

Rented Housing: Residential property owned by someone other than the occupant, rented out for residence.
Landlord: The legal owner of the property who receives rent from a tenant.
Tenant: An individual who occupies rented housing and pays the rent.
Lease Agreement: A formal contract between landlord and tenant detailing the tenure and terms of ragreeentarment.
Housing Association: Non-profit organizations that own, rent, and manage affordable housing.

Major Analytical Frameworks

Classical Economics

Classical economists paid limited attention specifically to housing markets as they largely analyzed rent within the broad category of land rent influencing agrarian economies. Classical theories majorly discuss the phenomena of rent from the perspective of resource scarcity and productivity.

Neoclassical Economics

Neoclassical analysis extends the “supply and demand” model to the housing markets, emphasizing how prices (rents) equilibrate the quantity of housing supplied by landlords and the quantity demanded by tenants.

Keynesian Economics

Keynesian economists focus on housing as part of aggregate demand. They argue for government interventions and policies for subsidized rented housing to stimulate the economy, particularly during downturns.

Marxian Economics

Marxian economics considers the rented housing scenario within the lens of property relations and class struggle, often highlighting exploitation through rent-seeking by landlords and the housing inequities existing under capitalism.

Institutional Economics

From the institutionalist standpoint, rented housing studies incorporate the role of societal norms, regulations, and the existence of housing associations and public housing sectors shaping urban housing markets.

Behavioral Economics

Behavioral economists examine the decision-making processes of tenants and landlords, including biases, heuristics, and psychological barriers impacting housing rents and tenant satisfaction.

Post-Keynesian Economics

Post-Keynesian views explore dynamics in housing stock, rent controls, and emphasize the demand-driven aspects of the rented housing market.

Austrian Economics

Austrian economists argue for minimal state interventions, promoting free-market approaches. They posit that the market efficiently allocates resources, including rental properties, through voluntary exchanges.

Development Economics

In development economics, the focus is given to the critical role of housing affordability and the impact of rented housing on economic development, urban poverty, and Informal settlements.

Monetarism

Monetarist views would examine how monetary policy could influence the housing market, particularly through impacts on interest rates which inversely affect rental yields and investments.

Comparative Analysis

A comparative analysis in rented housing might juxtapose its characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages as opposed to owner-occupied housing. These evaluations can encompass dimensions like affordability, mobility, maintenance responsibilities, and socio-economic impacts.

Case Studies

Examining rental housing policies in cities like Berlin, New York, and Tokyo, where stringent rent control laws have significant socio-economic implications.
Analysis of public housing projects and their effectiveness in various nations like Singapore and the UK.
Assessment of the affordable housing crisis in rapidly urbanizing economies such as India and Brazil.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

“Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond
“Capital in the Twenty-First Century” by Thomas Piketty
“Housing and Social Theory” by Jim Kemeny
Various OECD and UN Habitat reports on urban housing trends.

Owner-Occupied Housing: Residential property where the occupant is also the owner.
Housing Market: The supply and demand dynamics determining residential property values, including rental rates.
Tenure Security: The assurance that tenants can occupy their rental property without the threat of unjust eviction.