Measuring the success of a rent control program can be elusive and data can be misleading. Complaint-driven data reveals only the effect on on tenants who choose to file complaints. The data doesn’t reveal whether other tenants didn't file complaints because they weren’t aware of the program or because they believed they were treated fairly. Rent control data frequently doesn't consider the cost of administering the program as compared to other options, such as rent subsidies. And most rent control data doesn't evaluate the indirect economic impacts rent control has on the quality and quantity of housing supply.
Read MoreA DC landlord recently paid a $700,000 settlement in a source of income discrimination involving housing vouchers. However, rather than discriminating against tenants withe vouchers, DC alleged that the landlord favored those tenants because the vouchers paid higher rent that was permitted under DC's rent control law. This case highlights how rent control eventually can harm the rental housing market by interfering with the natural real estate economic cycle, which addresses both escalating rents and housing shortages by adding rental units to the market. Read the blog to learn more about how rent control can harm housing markets and communities and isn't the best way to address rent increases.
Read MoreGovernment rent control disrupts the real estate cycle and can create undesired results for tenants, landlords, and even the government.
Read MoreOn March 2, 2023, Prince Georges County, Maryland adopted a law which limits the coming year's multifamily rent increases to three percent.
Read MoreThe small city of Mount Rainier, Maryland recently adopted a rent control law, which limits annual rent increases to 60% of the CPI. Unlike many rent control laws, Mount Rainier's law also recognizes landlord needs by allowing landlords to request exceptions.
Read MoreWhile rent control might limit the harsh impact of rent increases on tenants in the short run, rent control also can impede changes required for the industry to adapt to a new economic reality.
Read MoreNew York and other major metropolitan areas have had rent control laws for decades. Now some state legislatures are taking more control over the landlord-tenant relationship by passing state-wide rent control laws.
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