3 ms·
Why are the landlord's costs going up "at the market rate" (which we will assume is higher than inflation)? Because the plumber lives in a market rent apartment
by spoonie 10y ago
Why are the landlord's costs going up "at the market rate" (which we will assume is higher than inflation)? Because the plumber lives in a market rent apartment and has to charge twice as much as a few years ago? Why would their insurance costs go up that fast? It's not like their property taxes are going up that fast. ;)
I believe the arguments that rent control is distortionary and poorly targeted (maybe they should make it means-tested rent control! I'm sure that won't have any effect on poorer people trying to rent! :P). But I don't see how market-rate rent increases, that happen fast enough for people to reach for rent control, are because the landlords are maintaining the same margins and seeing their costs increase. I do get the opportunity costs and reduced resale value costs though.