When a government agency imposes a rent ceiling, it prohibits landlords from charging more than a set amount. This distorts the market, leaving empty apartments that landlords would be willing to rent at higher prices and preventing renters from offering what they are truly willing to pay.
泰勒的比方在根本上毫无意义。房租管制不受待见的原因是它禁止了能让租客和房东都获益的交易。当政府机构施加房租上限时，它禁止房东要求给定数额以上的房租。这扭曲了市场，让房东愿意以更高价格用来出租的公寓空置，也让租客无法以他们愿意支付的价格租到房子。