Yes, I read this the other day and the first thing I thought was stop taxing the **** out of us and perhaps some pressure may come off the rental market, but knowing me that's ******** because I want the best return I can get on my investment, and when I can increase the rent I will, and when I need to drop it to attract a tenant I will - supply and demand, however there is always someone who thinks there's a better way and the greedy landlord is the key.
I overheard a tenant discussing his landlord the other day and how he was so tight he painted the bath instead of replacing. Having a unit within the property I understand the logic of the landlord and could be sure that if I had said to the tenant, 'did you let the landlord know that you would pay more rent for a new bathroom?' That he would have said I was crazy to suggest the idea.
The same tenant went on about how the rent kept going up and the landlord did nothing to deserve the increase (apart from painting the bath I guess). Again if asked if he had received a pay increase since he started work (if he worked) then he would answer yes, yet there is not expectation that additional output is required to receive the extra pay.
The affordable housing solution is simple, the government can buy out all the privately owned residential rental properties from all the greedy, unscrupulous landlords (at current fair value) and become solely responsibile for providing and managing all residential rental properties in the market.
All tenants would be means tested and rents set accordingly. Obviously if they can afford it tenants would be expected to pay higher than their current rent to offset the impact on the disadvantaged.
Tenants would be granted quasi-ownership rights, which would prevent them from being relocated.
If the government landlord wished to undertake improvements at the property all out of pocket expenses relating to temporary relocation, in a quality hotel, would be paid with other options for compensation being made available should the tenant deem that they have been disadvantaged.
If a property is not made available within the area prescribed by the would be tenant then temporary accommodation will be provided until a permanent home is made available. The would be tenant would of course be entitled to an additional allowance.
To make up for the loss of income from land tax the state will impose a pole tax which everyone will have to pay unless they are in government provided housing, and those rich people who own their own homes will finally pay their way.
The world would be a much better and fairer place the quicker we get rid of those greedy parasitic landlords who suck the life out of the poor and disadvantaged.
Regards
Andrew
PS. Hope the greens don't steal my ideas...
