Rent Control

Rent control refers to local ordinances that govern the amount of rent that can be charged, or how much rent can be increased. Rent control generally applies to residential rental units. Rent control originated after WWII, following the return of a large number of veterans from overseas with the general price freeze started in 1943. Rent control remained in effect after most price restrictions were eliminated in 1947. Rent control is still common in only a few old cities with a significant tenant population, such as New York City and San Francisco. In recent years, many cities, such as Boston, have ended long-standing rent control ordinances. Most economists of all political persuasions believe rent control is detrimental to a citys housing market. In New York City, rent control is only one of the two types of rent regulation in effect. In addition to apartments still under rent control, which only applies when occupancy started on or before February 1, 1947, many more units are regulated under a slightly less restrictive body of rules known as rent stabilization.