Rent control from ancient Rome to the Paris commune: a historical context

Abstract A shortage of affordable housing can be exacerbated by wars, natural disasters, or rising demand. In response, governments impose rent control, capping rents. This policy has been used on a large scale since World War I and has gained new popularity, with rent brakes introduced in Germany, France, Ireland, and Spain between 2015 and 2023, and with the strengthening of rent control in Austria and the Netherlands in 2025. The roots of rent control policies date back to ancient Rome. Before the 20th century, rent control was applied on many occasions, but it was mainly limited to specific cities or neighborhoods, specific population groups (e.g., Jews, scholars, and prostitutes), and specific events (e.g., religious festivals). In some cases, however, it lasted for centuries, such as the rent freeze in Madrid between 1564 and 1842. In most cases, rent control was a result of excess demand for housing rather than negative supply shocks. My examination of the factors behind the adoption of rent control reveals that wars, the establishment of universities, and the presence of Jewish communities made its adoption more likely.