Part 4/10:
Economic Implications for Landlords
From an economic perspective, many landlords argue that such mandates increase operational costs without a corresponding benefit commensurate with the expense. Appliance costs can range from $1,000 to $1,500 or more per unit. For small property owners—mom-and-pop landlords—this additional expense can be enough to make them reconsider renting or selling their properties.
Landlords fearing diminished profit margins might opt to exit the rental market altogether, reducing the supply of rental housing in an already tight market. This reduction can paradoxically lead to increased rents due to scarcity—precisely the opposite of what policies promoting tenant protections aim to achieve.