this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2024
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chapotraphouse
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Theoretically, am I a landlord if a rent out a room below market value in my current residence?
It's either that or just let it sit empty apart from the 2 days a year I have a guest over.
I appreciate the hesitation at least.
The delivery on your answer is so good. Had a good laugh looking at the picture you're responding to and then reading your comment!
This child has an Aang color palette
Morally speaking I don't think it matters in and of itself. There's a power imbalance that needs to be critically engaged with so it doesn't become a problem, and there's a small to medium influence on your material interests that may color your perspective on things if you aren't ideologically disciplined.
Treating people well and being nice and trying not to exploit people is basic, individual morality, trying to be good.
Leftism however is about trying to understand and change society. It isn't about lifestylism or poverty or personal purity.
Categorically speaking I wouldn't consider you a landlord. Your material interests likely don't align with the landlord class, assuming you still have to sell your labor to survive. Of course you (or others in your material position) might adopt an aspirational consciousness that aligns with landlord ideology-- I've even seen that from people with no private property whatsoever, nothing at all with which to rentseek. Temporarily embarrassed millionaire types.
rather than rent, sell them equity in the house, or if you're subletting, team up on the actual landlord and they can have their own place.
At that point why not let them live there for free?
Selling equity would cost me money as the house values goes up and I'd have to buy it back. Also, they would be able to sell their equity and thus right to live in the house without my approval. Then I could get someone moving in that I've never met or vetted before.
if they're paying into your mortgage then you're profiting anything they give you above utilities and wear and tear. you're small potatoes but if you want to do the right thing you can't be building equity or profiting on their rent.