Could rent controls ease Australia’s housing crisis?

Some advocates are calling for rent controls to help ease the housing crisis but many say increasing supply is a more effective move. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Renters are bearing the brunt of Australia’s housing crisis, with stories of extortionate rent increases for poor quality homes making headlines all too often.

One solution being flagged by advocates is to control rents, either through freezes or caps on how much landlords can increase the amount.