Rent Control – Is it good or bad for Southern California?

One of the top issues that everyone from retail property management to residential property managers have debating in Southern California is if rent control is a good or bad thing.

Rent control means “government control and regulation of the amounts charged for rented housing.” – Wikipedia

Over the last 10 years, there’s been a lot of talk about rent control because rents are rising but should legislation be passed in California which regulates what owners can charge?

Contentious History

“Rents and housing costs have soared in California, especially in recent years, as the new home building has failed to keep pace with population growth. The problem hits low-income residents hardest. More than 1.5 million Californians pay more than half their incomes on rent, fueling concerns about displacement and gentrification across the state.”

Source – LA Times

There’s no doubt that rent control has a contentious history, especially in some parts of California, where there are already rent control measures in place. The question is should politicians do more to pass rent control measures or shift their focus on making the Golden State more open to developers who want to build here?

Could Rent Control Stifle Development?

Supporters of rent control are mostly people who rent in the state and are upset with the ever-increasing rents that they’ve experienced in recent years. Those against it feel that rent control would only further stifle construction of new rental housing which is badly needed here.

At first glance, it seems that both sides have valid arguments and viewpoints regarding this issue. The key to success is going to be for both sides to meet in the middle and come up with a solution that’s fair for property owners, developers and renters alike.

AB 1506

AB 1506, a recent rent control proposal in California, failed to get the votes that it needed to pass. The battle for rent control is most likely far from over as those for and against it continues to wage war on social media and in person at events and demonstrations in California.

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