Rental Markets: A Frantic Fight for Shelter as a Service?
From Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world by Gareth King
April 13, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
This episode explores the impact of technology on the rental market and the challenges faced in securing shelter.
The internet was supposed to make the rental market more efficient and transparent. But has it instead turned the basic human need for shelter into a frantic, dehumanising battle with technology - where algorithms, platforms, and data have more power than the people looking for a home? We're joined by Thomas Sigler - Deputy Head of the School of the Environment and Associate Professor of Human Geography at the University of Queensland - whose research sits at the exact intersection of urban geography, technology, and how we live. Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not. Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation - new episodes regularly. Visit us: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/ Help us investigate ourselves: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/survey/ Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow In this episode we investigate how short-term rental platforms hollowed out housing supply, examine the role of PropTech in reshaping how we search and apply for homes, explore the data privacy implications of digital rental applications, and ask whether the technology…
People in this episode
Host: Gareth King
Guest: Thomas Sigler
Topics covered
- rental market
- technology
- urban geography
- housing dynamics
- digital platforms
- remote work
Keywords
- rental market
- technology
- Airbnb
- housing crisis
- digital nomadism
- data privacy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The University of Queensland, Airbnb
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