A more thorough explanation:

Rent control is a policy that limits the amount of rent a landlord can charge for a property in a specific area. This policy is usually put in place by a local government. Only a few states and the District of Columbia currently have active rent control laws.

Some people believe that rent control helps people who cannot afford high rent prices. Others argue that it discourages landlords from investing in their properties and keeping them in good condition.

For example, in New York City, rent control has been in place since World War II. This means that some tenants pay much less than the market rate for their apartments. However, landlords may not have enough money to make repairs or improvements to the building because they cannot charge higher rent prices.

Another example is San Francisco, where rent control has been in place since 1979. This policy has helped many long-term tenants stay in their homes despite rising rent prices. However, some landlords have converted their rental properties into condos or other types of housing that are not subject to rent control.

Overall, rent control is a controversial policy that has both benefits and drawbacks.