More public housing would reduce rents

THE SHARP RISE IN HOUSING RENTS in some cities this summer has overtaken the growth of local residents' disposable incomes by a large margin, causing wide concern. Economic Information Daily comments:

The top two long-term apartment rental companies, which are being widely blamed for taking the lead in pushing up rents by forming a monopoly alliance, have obtained investment totaling about 5 billion yuan ($731 million) since January.

Yet it is unfair to attribute the sharp rise in rents solely to these companies' business practices without mentioning the shortage of rental properties in the market.