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Do housing regulations affect rural–urban migration? Evidence from rent control in India

Author

Listed:
  • Arnab Dutta
  • Sahil Gandhi
  • Richard K Green

Abstract

Rent control influences more than housing markets. Using India—a country with heavily regulated housing markets—as a case study, we examine how shifts from pro-tenant to pro-landlord rent control and eviction laws impact rural–urban migration and labor markets. Additionally, we explore potential mechanisms to explain our results on migration. Relaxing rent control leads to higher rents and dampens rural–urban migration, while easing eviction laws facilitates the conversion of rental units into owner-occupied housing and increases the prevalence of “marriage migrants.” The impact of relaxing rent control and eviction laws on rural–urban migration is unexpected, confirming that removing one distortion from a market riddled with others can lead to surprising outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Arnab Dutta & Sahil Gandhi & Richard K Green, 2025. "Do housing regulations affect rural–urban migration? Evidence from rent control in India," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 25(6), pages 873-898.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jecgeo:v:25:y:2025:i:6:p:873-898.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/jeg/lbaf021
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population
    • R52 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Land Use and Other Regulations

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