It is no secret that college costs have been increasing faster than the rate of inflation for several decades. (plannersearch.org)
This is in spite of the fact that the landlord can easily invest your deposit at rates much higher than the rate of inflation. (ontariotenants.ca)
They're probably smart in keeping less than 20 % of their portfolio in cash, because it's possible that they could earn less than the rate of inflation. (capitaloneinvesting.com)