Population and Housing

[danbrotherston]

I wonder if we need a new word to replace “landlord”?

In commercial real estate you typically use "lessor" and "lessee".

I actually prefer landlord...

There is an inherent power imbalance (through financial resources, legal resources, and through the renter being beholden to the landlord for their home) between typical residential renters and landlords. The terms make that imbalance clear. I don't think changing the words would eliminate the power imbalance so I don't think we should change the words until we remove that power imbalance.

That imbalance exists only to a lesser extent for commercial real estate. Most companies with the exception of the smallest mom and pop shops have some lawyer, and it is much longer, expensive process for commercial real estate companies to fill vacancies.

FWIW...I've heard various terms in the Netherlands. One interesting distinction used by the city was "owner" and "resident"...which of course, can be the same thing, but doesn't have to be. Certain taxes are levied against the owner, others against the resident, and of course, owner occupied units the same person pays both.