5 reasons not to use Rentola. A quick overview of capitalism and its crisis.
In neoliberal and highly technological conditions like those we currently live in, examples of modern crows abound, and Rentola is one of them. In the current housing crisis, Rentola found a unique opportunity to do business with the money of those affected by the crisis: the tenants.
What is Rentola?
In the world of online real estate platforms, Rentola emerges as a contender that prompts caution. This blog post aims to show five reasons why you shouldn't use Rentola. To better understand the emergence of Rentola, will take a quick look at capitalism and its intrinsic connection to crises.
Rentola is a Danish online platform that operates in the housing sector in almost 40 countries around the world. It serves as a marketplace or portal that “connects” property owners, landlords, and tenants. The platform, claims to facilitate finding and renting properties. The twisted side is that, although it is free to create a listing as a landlord, if you are a tenant you must pay a monthly subscription of 39.99 $ (64 NZD).
In the middle of a very concerning housing crisis, where rentals are hard to find, Rentola targets tenants and finds an opportunity to make profits with those in need of a home.
Capitalism and crisis.
Capitalism relies on crises for survival, with systemic disruptions being a vital part of its renewal. When stability, or economic "stagnation," occurs, capital accumulation slows, causing losses for financial entities. From a neoliberal viewpoint, crises are seen as opportunities to establish businesses and generate profits by privately addressing new social needs.
Within the established political system, capitalism can take more or less aggressive forms. In a robust democracy, the state has the infrastructure to manage economic crises and uphold social rights. Despite appearances, the current neoliberal model doesn't involve the state withdrawing; instead, it actively shapes political conditions to foster private sector growth.
A crisis can take various forms that disrupt the established rhythm of society, such as a natural disaster, war, pandemic, or an economic crisis like the Great Depression in 1929 or the financial crisis in 2008.
Milton Friedman (one of the father of neoliberalism) said, "Only a crisis - actual or perceived - produces real change. When that crisis occurs, the actions that are taken depend on the ideas that are lying around. This underscores the basic function of developing alternatives to existing policies, keeping them alive and available until the politically impossible becomes the politically inevitable.”
What the neoliberal perspective seeks are ways to generate or accelerate crisis in order to increase financial profits. While historical cases are readily traceable, our attention today shifts to a more contemporary example with the growing platform, Rentola.
Rentola, a modern crow in neoliberal conditions.
In neoliberal and highly technological conditions like those we currently live in, examples of modern crows abound, and Rentola is one of them. In the current housing crisis, Rentola found a unique opportunity to do business with the money of those affected by the crisis: the tenants.
Rentola, a legit scam.
Yes, it is legit, and yes, it is a scam. These are 5 reasons to avoid Rentola:
1. High Cost:
Rentola is not free for tenants, imposing a financial barrier for those in search of housing solutions. Given the prolonged rental search times during the current housing crisis, particularly in Central Otago, subscribing to Rentola could result in spending nearly 400 NZD within a six-month timeframe.
2. Explore Free Alternatives:
Numerous reputable platforms, such as realstate.co.nz, Trade Me, and even social media, offer free rental services without the financial commitment demanded by Rentola. Additionally, traditional real estate agencies remain free, offering viable alternatives without incurring unnecessary expenses.
3. Deceptive Marketing Strategies:
Despite claiming unbeatability, Rentola's marketing efforts are not tailored to satisfy individual needs. Instead, they strategically highlight exclusive listings on social media, creating an illusion of uniqueness to lure users into thinking it's the only way to access suitable offerings.
4. Questionable Service Quality:
Negative Rentola reviews emphasize dissatisfaction with Rentola customer service, particularly critiquing the absence of a free trial period and the complications to cancel the subscription. The initial charge of $1.65 for the first 7 days, followed by a $64.00 monthly fee, raises concerns about transparency and commitment.
Additionally, it is crucial to note the concluding paragraph of Rentola terms and conditions, stating: “Rentola is constantly developing. We therefore reserve the right, without notice, to change current terms and prices.”
5. Ethical considerations:
Specially during this housing crisis, the least we can do from an ethical standpoint is refrain from endorsing platforms like Rentola. If you're a landlord, avoid posting listings on this platform. Instead, turn to free portals and continue to support unrestricted access to rental searches for those in need of accommodation.
