I know it has been a bit. Renting makes sense in the case you mentioned. Needing to buy and sell property is a hassle. Landlords are a necessity for short term housing under the current economic model.

A future economic model could be use based. Housing is yours while you use it. The housing is available for someone else when you move on.

Why would anyone choose to rent provided an option to own and sufficient funds? Who owns new construction? If landlords, why not manufacture scarcity to drive up prices?