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Let me be the first then. I've been a landlord for a decade. I've paid back each and every one of my tenants the rent I collected in surplus to costs. Adjusted upwards to reflect the appreciation of the unit.

I now rent at cost, choosing to believe that it's better to help the people who live with me establish themselves and build financial safety.




> I now rent at cost

Be very careful. If you are in the US, you might want to speak to a tax attorney.

The IRS treats property rented out at less than fair market value as a personal residence.

Your tenants may have to treat the difference as income, and you are not eligible for many of the usual deductions for investment property.


I have, but that's good advice.


> help the people who live with me

are you saying you and them live under the same roof? i.e. they're your roommates?


In some cases we have rented a mother in law unit. Are different apartments in the same building under the same roof?

I tend to be broader about community then many folks in the States. Imo, you live with the people in your local area, whether that's house, apartment building, or block.


That's certainly remarkable. You are indeed the first person I've ever heard to do this.


I was inspired by someone else who did it and posted about it on Reddit somewhere a long time ago. So there are at least two, but likely many more than two of us out there.




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