Erica Myers “Asymmetric Information in Residential Rental Markets: Implications for the Energy Efficiency Gap” (Revised January 2018) (Revised version published in Journal of Public Economics, 190, 2020) | WP-246R

Abstract:
This paper explores whether energy cost information asymmetries exist between landlords and tenants by exploiting variation in which party pays for energy. In a search market context, the effect of energy cost changes on tenant turnover, rents, and efficiency investment should differ between the two payment regimes under asymmetric information but not symmetric information. Using energy cost variation in the form of changes in relative heating fuel prices, I find evidence that tenants are uninformed about energy costs. This results in higher energy expenditures for tenants and implies that information campaigns or efficiency standards may improve market outcomes.