kryptonicus

Maybe you're right. But I don't really bother to try and read too deep into the motivations of any kind of corporation. I assume they're all primarily motivated by profit. And my point is that individuals who have the capital to buy millions of dollars of real estate are functionally no different from a corporate investor, be it a REIT or a "housing company" motivated solely by "providing service." They're all going to do the bare minimum as required by the market to stay competitive and government regulation.

It should be illegal for LLCs or trust funds to purchase housing of any kind.

I completely agree that LLCs, REITs, and institutional investors shouldn't be able to buy single family homes (and maybe even duplexes), but I don't know about "housing of any kind."

Large, multi family units like apartment buildings serve a vital need in the affordable housing market. Private individuals who have the capital to purchase a multi million dollar apartment building aren't any more likely to be a conscientious landlord than a corporation. At that point, it all boils down to effective enforcement of tenant rights laws.

some functionality will be restricted without a paid license

I think that's why. But maybe I'm just overly cynical.

This is a minor quibble, but I've never been charged a fee for an extra plate. They usually only charge when you request to "split the order", meaning the kitchen splits the entree onto two plates for you.