By Pavlos Loizou, CEO of Ask Wire
This exchange between Andreas, the landlord, and Maria, his tenant, illustrates the broken incentives shaping today’s rental markets. Andreas knows his apartment will rent regardless of its condition, so why spend thousands on insulation, plumbing, or repairs? Maria, tied to a 12-month lease, will never recover what she invests. The result is predictable: deteriorating properties, higher rents, and mounting frustration. This is not just neglect — it is the logic of financialisation.
What is financialisation?
Housing is no longer primarily viewed as shelter but as an investment vehicle. Owners seek yield and capital appreciation; tenants shoulder rising costs with limited protections. Globally, this shift is most visible in markets where…