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373. Why Rent Control Doesn’t Work

Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio
Episode • Apr 4, 2019 • 48m

As cities become ever-more expensive, politicians and housing advocates keep calling for rent control. Economists think that’s a terrible idea. They say it helps a small (albeit noisy) group of renters, but keeps overall rents artificially high by disincentivizing new construction. So what happens next?