Any improvements or changes you make to rental property you have to be willing to leave behind. That's the risk you take with renting.
I don't understand why a person would live in one place for 16 years without buying. It doesn't make sense.
"Any improvements or changes you make to rental property you have to be willing to leave behind. That's the risk you take with renting."
I know that and had no interest in taking any improvements with me.
I couldn't buy the ocean front property my little shack was on, and it was an incredible little place on the ocean that was too rough for any one else to live in, so I rented it for next to nothing, when the last owner finally got a permit to tear it down (this isthe California coastal commission), he gave me a 4 month heads up which gave me enough time to relocate my business into a home I bought.
I had a good relationship with every investor that bought the property and was always prepared to move in my thirty days, (although I did breathe a sigh of relief when the 60 day notice for long term renters came to be law).
For 16 years people told me to get official recognition from the historical society people for the 1893 building, but I would never play that game, that is one reason the owners always liked my living in the place, it paid the taxes and they trusted me not to cause a real estate nightmare for them.
I like knowing that when a major repair is needed, like a new roof, garage door, A/C unit, it's not my expense.
I ran the numbers after we sold our last house, 13 years ago, and all told (all taxes, repairs, etc.), we would've saved a few thousand dollars had we rented at prevailing rental rates through the time we owned.
So, I'm happy to rent.