---
title: "I suspect actual arson is rare.  What seems more likely is that rent…"
date: 2017-06-27
source: facebook
type: Archer T. Ships shared a link.
---

# I suspect actual arson is rare.  What seems more likely is that rent…

*June 27, 2017 · Facebook*

::::: {}
::: {}
[http://www.gq.com/story/san-francisco-is-burning?mbid=social_twitter](http://www.gq.com/story/san-francisco-is-burning?mbid=social_twitter){target="_blank"}
:::

::: {}
I suspect actual arson is rare. What seems more likely is that rent control laws significantly reduce landlord\'s incentives to do maintenance.\
\
After all, why do maintenance when you can\'t raise rents to recover the cost? If you can make a lot more money if your current tenants leave, it\'s in your interest to let things fall apart, so they\'re more likely to leave for greener pastures.\
\
Such deferred maintenance then leads to higher fire risk over time.\
\
[http://www.gq.com/story/san-francisco-is-burning?mbid=social_twitter](http://www.gq.com/story/san-francisco-is-burning?mbid=social_twitter){target="_blank"}
:::
:::::
