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>(In the USA we have property rights, as long as we pay taxes. You could say, in effect, that we rent from Uncle SAM!)
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>Actually, if you rent an apartment, you have a property right as well. You have the right to exclusive possession and the rights to exclude. These are fundamental rights in property. In the case of rent, you don't pay taxes, particuarly property taxes. If you fail to pay your federal income tax, you will still have your rights in property of the apartment in tact. Whether you lose the home you own in different scenarios is another issue that can vary from state to state.
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>Just wanted to clarify that taxes and rights in property, while at the surface may seem connected, are not necessarily connected. And for sure, one needs to make a distinction between federal, state, and local government treatment.

Interesting point John. So renters have perhaps “more rights” than the owner of the property. I just hope the owner of the house we rent pays his taxes or we will find ourselves on the street, just like many .COM’ers in Silicon Valley.

Tom