[Osem]

Is it any surprise that housing has, for many, become an investment given that their pensions have turned to dust, the stock market is very risky and hard earned savings pay virtually nothing in interest and are being eroded by inflation? What are these people supposed to do? They're not all **** bag landlords and multi-millionaire property developers. Far from it.

IMHO not many people would bother being landlords if they could get any sort of return anywhere else. It's a whole lot of hassle and not without considerable financial risk for those unlucky enough to have tenants who exploit the system to their own benefit e.g. sub letting, failing to pay the rent, refusing to vacate, damaging the property etc. etc. etc.