I’m sure most renters would prefer doing the maintenance on their *own* properties, instead; but they’re stuck in rentals because “investors” have pushed prices up so high for dwelling units they didn’t build and have no personal use for.

Actually, the last bubble was created by the government easing restrictions on mortgages TO OWNER-OCCUPANTS, *not investors.* The reason that investors are buying now is that property is actually comparatively cheap in relation to rents.