Part 9/10:
The recent legislative changes in California and echoing policies in Washington underscore a broader trend of government intervention in the rental market. While ostensibly aimed at tenant protection, they often create unintended consequences—diminished supply, increased rent, and discouragement of investment.
Long-term solutions require a nuanced approach that balances tenant protections with incentives for landlords to maintain and build new rental units. Without addressing fundamental supply issues, policies like appliance mandates and rent caps risk further destabilizing a housing market already strained by high costs, limited inventory, and socio-economic disparities.