How else do you propose the state gaining the required accomodation volume to nearly totally replace the private rental market?
Or is the state going to start redistributing population to meet the housing right?
This is the problem with positions driven by irrational hatreds.
They build the houses and flats, I never said it would be done over night, and to point out I never said LL's should be banned either.
My proposal was basically a second home tax that would vary based on available housing stock. (second homes not BTL).
For renting my proposal is we gradually phase in more social housing it would clearly take decades to get to the end game, well past a 5 year tenure in government. The end game would be more properties to buy, mortgages easier to get (via legislation if required), more social properties to rent so those unable to buy have affordability and security, these wouldnt be luxury properties, but the basic requirements would be met.
I think the German private rental market is good, but the reason I am not proposing it here, is landlords here would clearly not accept it, there is landlords where who already think the UK market is unfavourable to them, the German laws would give them a heart attack.
Put yourself in the tenants shoes, can you call a place you have only 6-12 months security "home"? can you call a place home you not allowed to decorate or get what broadband supplier you want (wayleave), you totally reliant on the LL/agent to get repairs done, power is minimal, cant pay someone to do it and take out rent, if you get council to force it, LL can revenge evict after a few months. Think of this morally and tell me this isnt broken. Some landlords are different, but in terms of what the law offers and what many landlords offer thats not the real world. I have had my LL's office tell me straight up over the phone they are happy enough just to meet minimal legal requirements.
Then on top of all that you have the rent increases which are nowhere near inflation reality. We even now have letting agents interviewing (potential) tenants like for a job and putting them in bidding wars with each other, just for a place to live, its madness.
Its gone way past the point of a successful competitive market. Some things just arent right for a for profit venture.
Psycho interestingly replied he isnt aware of all this as he basically lets the letting agent handle it all, I expect thats how it is for most landlords who shield themselves from it, but is nice to hear he prefers long term tenants.
I do wonder how much of the letting problem is down to letting agents, logically a landlord would prefer a long term tenant, it makes sense. But letting agents have to justify their existence, and a high turnover of tenants does that.
I do think things would be better if landlords did things directly.
