The UK has completely abolished fees (I think) for tenants - I am a reluctant landlord - and I completely agree with that, the power asymmetry in finding housing is already bad enough without allowing blank-cheque negotiations.
In my section of Germany, housing is even worse with rent caps and tenant rights, plus a lack of housing. Tenants are hard to move on, so landlords are painfully cautious about getting the right tenants - and there isn't a lot of money to maintain properties either, it seems. Our place has the worst decor and electrics, terrible ventilation and mould. And I think we're at the high end.
Systems geared up for incumbents, like "council houses for life" in London, ought to be sunset, just to get housing moving again. I don't think rent control works well, but I don't think open market rent works either. Anything critical with a limited supply needs to be externally regulated in ways that keep the wheels moving.
In my section of Germany, housing is even worse with rent caps and tenant rights, plus a lack of housing. Tenants are hard to move on, so landlords are painfully cautious about getting the right tenants - and there isn't a lot of money to maintain properties either, it seems. Our place has the worst decor and electrics, terrible ventilation and mould. And I think we're at the high end.
Systems geared up for incumbents, like "council houses for life" in London, ought to be sunset, just to get housing moving again. I don't think rent control works well, but I don't think open market rent works either. Anything critical with a limited supply needs to be externally regulated in ways that keep the wheels moving.