Question

Rent controls force landlords to price apartments below the equilibrium price level. An immediate effect is a shortage (excess demand) of apartments, because the quantity of apartments demanded is greater than the quantity supplied at the regulated price. When cities prevent landlords from charging market rents, which of the following are common long-run outcomes?
Check all that apply.
__Black markets develop.
__Landlords earn lower profits from renting housing units, but the rent charged has no effect on either the quantity or quality of rental units.
__The quality of rental housing units falls.
__Efficient use of housing space results.

Answer 1

Answer:

Option (a) and (c) are correct.

Explanation:

We know that rent control is an example of price ceiling. If the price of apartments set below the equilibrium price level then there is increase in the demand for apartments. So, the demand for apartments exceeds quantity supplied at the prevailing market price.

(a) Therefore, the quality of rental housing falls because of the lower price of the apartment. As this will become less profitable for the landlords, so they are least interested in the maintenance of the apartments.

(b) This will also lead to develop black market. The landlords are trying to fool the higher authorities and rent their apartments at a higher cost because this will be done without any type of legal documentation of the apartments or results from the manipulation of the rules.