Housing affordability and rising rent prices have been persistent challenges for policymakers in Addis Ababa. To tackle these issues and protect vulnerable populations, the city government implemented rent control measures. The recent decision to extend the ban for another six months aims to stabilize rental prices and provide relief to renters in the competitive housing market. However, while rent control policies offer short-term benefits, they can have significant implications for the long-term stability and functionality of the housing market.

1.   Immediate Impact of Rent Control:

Rent control policies generally lead to a stabilization of rental prices, offering relief to low-income families and promoting housing affordability. Tenants experience reduced rent burdens and increased security in their tenancies due to decreased chances of sudden and drastic rent increases.

2.   Impact on Housing Supply:

Rent control can have a negative impact on the housing supply. Landlords may be discouraged from investing in property maintenance or upgrades when they cannot raise rents according to market conditions. This can lead to a decline in the quantity and quality of rental housing, exacerbating the housing crisis and creating a shortage of available units when the ban is lifted.

3.   Deterioration of Existing Housing Stock:

With restricted rental income, landlords may be less inclined to invest in property upkeep and repairs, resulting in the deterioration of rental properties. This decline in property condition negatively affects the living conditions for tenants.

4.   Post-Rent Price Surges:

Once the government ban on rent prices is lifted, the housing market often responds with a sudden surge in rental prices. During the rent control period, demand for rental units may have increased due to population growth and limited supply. When the control is lifted, landlords seek to recover lost income, leading to a sharp escalation in rent prices. As a result, post-rent prices may surpass the level they would have reached without the intervention of the rent control policy.

5.   Impact on Housing Affordability:

Paradoxically, the post-rent price surge can lead to decreased housing affordability compared to pre-rent control levels. The sudden and substantial price increase can leave many tenants struggling to cope with higher living costs, especially those who benefited from the rent control policy before the ban was lifted.

Conclusion:

While government bans on residential rent prices aim to address immediate housing affordability concerns, their impact on post-rent prices after the ban is lifted can be complex. Rent control policies may provide temporary relief to renters, but they may also lead to adverse effects such as reduced housing supply, deterioration of existing properties, and post-rent price surges. To tackle housing affordability challenges effectively, the city government should carefully consider alternative approaches that strike a balance between short-term relief and long-term sustainability in the housing market.