Leasing any material property means that you do not own it. This opens up a large array of tools to circumvent personal Rights. Need to unlock a cell phone? Just contact the owners. Need to search a property? Just ask the owners. Need to deny someone access to something? Just ask the owners. The prices can be raised or lowered as needed to provide access to some and deny access to others. The problem is accentuated when you start the conversation with durable goods. Housing is one of the most dramatic of these. You can buy a house today and know how much you will be paying a year from now, five years from now, 20 years from now. The payment does not change (unless you fall for an ARM). You can pay off a home and have only maintenance and tax costs for a fraction of what all these things cost when you have all three. Having a paid off mortgage is one of the most liberating and joyous of milestones. This allows you to build up greater wealth and provide tremendous security and freedom. When you rent or lease, none of this is possible. Don't fall for the interest deduction tax farce. Sit down and do the math. Pay off your home and you have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that you have never experienced before. Do it while you have plenty of work life ahead of you and you will not believe how much money you generate without this millstone around your neck.