Rent control is a form of socialism

I have a number of concerns with the city of Calabasas implementing rent control from both an ideological and practical basis. As an ideology, rent control is contrary to the concept of free enterprise, a cornerstone principle on which our nation was founded. Such a philosophical shift in values represents our steady move away from capitalism and towards socialism.

The majority sit passively by as the minority stomp on the individual property owner’s right by abusing a myriad of tools including zoning ordinances, design guidelines, hillside ordinances, oak tree ordinances because the majority is reaping some sort of perceived benefit, such as tasteful architecture, mature trees and less traffic. Rent control is no different. It is a tool that subordinates an individual’s right to rent their property for the price that the market would otherwise deem fair.

What’s next? Possibly the Calabasas City Council could pass an ordinance to limit the maximum sale price for which a homeowner could sell its home—a home sale price control ordinance, if you will. Or maybe they could limit the rate at which attorneys, doctors and other professionals within the city charge for their services so that those with less means could enjoy all of the benefits of using the most competent professional’s services.

Simply put, it’s socialism.

Nevertheless, if the residents of Calabasas feel strongly that they want to subsidize housing, then the matter should be placed on the ballet and the residents could vote on and bear the costs of such a policy. The city should not attempt to stick the burden on the backs of the rental property owners, however. A sufficient body of state law already exits and legitimate tenant grievances should be addressed by a court of law, not by the city of Calabasas.

Alan Young

Calabasas