주택 임대료 규제의 법 정책적 검토

Rather than originating from an abstract legal ideology, the law regulating housing rents was forced by various disasters such as war, natural disaster, or economic depression. Supporters of rent control argue that the distributional effects of rent control outweigh the economic efficiency costs. However, differences in economic efficiency and distribution effects vary depending on specific regions or specific periods, so it is difficult to judge them uniformly. Although rent control appears to be very effective in reducing rents for tenants, it also produces negative consequences such as reduced mobility and a decline in housing construction. These negative effects offset the positive effects, reducing the policy role of rent control. Therefore, the overall impact of rent control policies on social welfare is not clear. Moreover, because these policies are not implemented independently, their empirical effects are difficult to say with certainty. However, in non-normal situations such as war or natural disaster, the guarantee of housing rights for the common people should be emphasized. However, rent regulations can be a short-term measure until the market order is restored when the normal market order is distorted due to war or the spread of infectious diseases, but exercising it long-term when the market order is operating normally will actually distort the market order. This could end up being a policy that causes more harm than good. The purpose of rent control is ultimately to guarantee rental rights. Guaranteeing the right to rent is ultimately intended to guarantee the tenant’s right to freedom from unwanted eviction, that is, the tenant’s right to housing. Even if rent increases are limited, as long as the landlord has the right to evict without just cause, the tenant cannot make this claim out of fear of eviction. In most countries, the continuation of the right to lease is basically guaranteed, so only regulations on rent increases are controversial. Unlike most countries, our guarantee of the continuation of rental rights is limited, so even if there are regulations on rent control, their effectiveness is bound to be halved. At the same time as rent regulation, other housing policies such as protection of tenants from eviction and housing construction must also be considered. Banking, climate and fiscal policies can also affect rent control. When policymakers design government policies, they must consider these various effects and interactions, determine the timing and region of rent regulation, and carefully pursue policies.