Thanks @AlbacoreA I think we are close on point without either of us laying monopoly on the defintion of 'landlording'.
You're thinking it's primary purpose is to provide housing. It isn't. It's primary purpose is to make money.
The conflict is when the govt outsources public housing to the private rental market. That squeezes supply of private rentals, and houses for sale. The govt also massively increase demand. They also massively increase risk of loss, by anti landlord legislation.
All this risk and all these costs are borne by the landlord.
The landlord has to earn enough money to cover over holding, damage, refurbishment, cleaning. These always the risk of recession. Then thersv the cost of renting it. So the rent has to cover all these things.
So any business makes hay while the sun shines.