News/Commentary

Renter boasts she’s the reason her landlord doesn’t need a ‘real job’—and the internet erupts

July 21, 2026 | | Print Article

A California renter received a social media reality check after claiming she’s the reason her landlord “doesn’t have to get a real job.”

Reparation commissions, entitlement programs and mantras to tax the rich have consumed the left and its opposition to free market enterprise. Now, as the Democratic Socialists of America further expand their influence, viral victimhood found a San Diego, California county employee siding with political pickpockets on capping property owner profits.

“Renters ARE the ones paying for those repairs, the property tax, the mortgage, etc. because the landlord uses our rent money to pay those things,” contended Ashley Luna, who described herself as a county employee and mother of two.

She went on, “If being a landlord is soooo hard, they have the freedom to sell the property. The reason we can’t save $100K is because we’re shelling it out to the landlords. Landlords bitching about being a landlord is something else. You know it’s your CHOICE to be a landlord, right? For renters, who are blocked from building equity & having meaningful savings, we do not have the same power to choose homeownership.”

Luna’s post came in response to former Los Angeles mayoral hopeful Spencer Pratt reacting to New York City DSA Co-chair Gustavo Gordillo on Fox News supporting the rent freeze and calling for a cap on what landlords can make in profit off their properties.

“Before you bitch about landlords,” said Pratt, “ask yourself: could you save up $100K right now to make a down payment? What about $10K in repairs when a pipe bursts? Or your government leaves 50 years of brush to BURN YOUR CITY DOWN? These are all things a property owner has to deal with. Risk, liability, maintenance, taxes, loss of liquidity, ever-increasing insurance costs, and no ability to evict someone who stops paying rent. Landlords earn maybe 5-12% margins off your rent. Consider it a tip for doing all the hard stuff of home ownership for you.”

ADVERTISEMENT

As backlash replies flooded in and Luna contended options like moving to a different city, having roommates, commuting from further away or living with her parents were all unavailable options, she went on to claim, “Landlords, landlord hoarding & charging high rent is the reason why the housing supply is low, costs are inflated & it’s difficult for renters to save money for a [down payment]. I’m the reason why the landlord doesn’t have to get a real job to cover his personal expenses or lifestyle. Did [you] ever thank a renter once?”

Meanwhile, CBS 8 San Diego reported that, according to CoStar senior director of marketing analytics Josh Ohl, vacancy rates have surged in the city in recent years reaching their highest in 25 years at 6.1%.

What’s more, Newmark senior managing director Erik Anderson pointed out that some tenants are abusing incentives from landlords for weeks of free occupancy by “concession hopping,” taking advantage of a promotion before letting their lease lapse and moving on, creating further disruptions in the market that is ranked as the 10th most expensive for renting in the nation.

ADVERTISEMENT

In addition to consensus that the “whining” ought to stop, many agreed that a surefire way to a changed tune would be to become a landlord and see how long it takes before bailing out or making the same pricing decisions as other property owners dealing with tax hikes and inflation as well as updates to laws and regulations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kevin Haggerty
Latest posts by Kevin Haggerty (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles