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Comment by martin_bech | Hacker News Reader

In Denmark this would be impossible as we have “bopælspligt”. It means if you buy a home or apartment in an area like this, you are required by law to live in it.

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There are several condo buildings in Portland (OR, US) that do this as well. I don't think it's city or government regulated, but it's required by certain buildings. I don't know if SF has anything like this, but I imagine it's easy to get around it.

In Denmark its hard to get around, as you have to register your official postal adress for the government using your CPR nr (kinda like social security numner).

Not free enough for America, maybe? Also, most of the politically active residents own homes here that they are counting on to continue dramatically appreciating in value, having investors buy up new property supports this goal.

Does Europe (more or less as whole) have a philosophy that rental properties are a regulated enterprise that is solely to be managed by a established company?

I mean I really do like the idea but I've heard of incredibly long waiting lists for apartments in places like Germany simply because there just isn't enough supply to meet demand.

No no, you can buy an apartment, and rent it out, and then the renter registers the apartment as official address etc. So the apartment isnt empty. There are some laws you have to follow, but its pretty easy to do. I dont know the details of Germany, but mostly what i have seen here is not enough supply, and big demand.

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