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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/live/2016/may/25/should-the-government-ban-second-home-ownership-live-debate
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| Should the government ban second home ownership? – as it happened | Should the government ban second home ownership? – as it happened |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| 2.05pm BST | 2.05pm BST |
| 14:05 | 14:05 |
| Thanks for taking part! | |
| We’re wrapping things up below the line. Thanks to everyone who took part by sending in comments below the line or contributing to our anonymous form. | We’re wrapping things up below the line. Thanks to everyone who took part by sending in comments below the line or contributing to our anonymous form. |
| Right, that's all for now, but please share your views on the discussion in the form. | Right, that's all for now, but please share your views on the discussion in the form. |
| We hope to be doing another one next week so stay tuned! | We hope to be doing another one next week so stay tuned! |
| Updated | |
| at 4.19pm BST | |
| 1.46pm BST | 1.46pm BST |
| 13:46 | 13:46 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| Readers have been comparing the situation in the UK with that of other European countries. Here’s a view from a Danish citizen in London: | Readers have been comparing the situation in the UK with that of other European countries. Here’s a view from a Danish citizen in London: |
| I believe there is a case for greater regulation of second homes and of homes left empty. It might be an idea to empower local councils to designate whether certain properties can be held for secondary use, such as weekend/holiday, or whether they must be occupied by a full-time resident, registered for council tax/electoral roll/general taxation. This is the system in Denmark, where there are designated “leisure” properties. Sometimes these are among standard residential properties, and often they are in particular zones, which have less intense local services - such as rubbish collection - outside the holiday seasons. | I believe there is a case for greater regulation of second homes and of homes left empty. It might be an idea to empower local councils to designate whether certain properties can be held for secondary use, such as weekend/holiday, or whether they must be occupied by a full-time resident, registered for council tax/electoral roll/general taxation. This is the system in Denmark, where there are designated “leisure” properties. Sometimes these are among standard residential properties, and often they are in particular zones, which have less intense local services - such as rubbish collection - outside the holiday seasons. |
| And a commenter has posted about the situation in Norway: | And a commenter has posted about the situation in Norway: |
| Sone municipalities in Norway where there are lovely historical buildings require the owner to live there for a substantial part of the year (forgotten exact%) which has resulted in some areas vecoming vibrant hubs of small artisan businesses instead of vacant holiday houses for the rich from Oslo.RPerhaps there's a place for a limit on investment ( haven't really thought that out) and more so for a hefty unoccupied tax for houses left vacant most of the time. Money to be used for construction. | Sone municipalities in Norway where there are lovely historical buildings require the owner to live there for a substantial part of the year (forgotten exact%) which has resulted in some areas vecoming vibrant hubs of small artisan businesses instead of vacant holiday houses for the rich from Oslo.RPerhaps there's a place for a limit on investment ( haven't really thought that out) and more so for a hefty unoccupied tax for houses left vacant most of the time. Money to be used for construction. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.05pm BST | at 2.05pm BST |
| 1.39pm BST | 1.39pm BST |
| 13:39 | 13:39 |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| This is a really valuable point: we need to think about why people are buying second homes in the first place? | This is a really valuable point: we need to think about why people are buying second homes in the first place? |
| I’m not a second home owner (and unlikely to have the means to become one any time soon or ever!). | I’m not a second home owner (and unlikely to have the means to become one any time soon or ever!). |
| I think it’s important to consider why it is that people are buying second homes for investment purposes. Company pension plans that were once thought to be reliable have actually been made very unstable by our current economic climate, and the retirement age is constantly increasing. Savings rates are also very low, and high-interest current accounts have low interest-earning thresholds (£2000 for TSB, £5000 for Lloyds etc.). | I think it’s important to consider why it is that people are buying second homes for investment purposes. Company pension plans that were once thought to be reliable have actually been made very unstable by our current economic climate, and the retirement age is constantly increasing. Savings rates are also very low, and high-interest current accounts have low interest-earning thresholds (£2000 for TSB, £5000 for Lloyds etc.). |
| With that in mind, and with the low mortgage rates, it’s easy to see why people with the means to buy a second home would see it as one of the only options they have to build up a retirement fund sufficient for their increasingly long lives. | With that in mind, and with the low mortgage rates, it’s easy to see why people with the means to buy a second home would see it as one of the only options they have to build up a retirement fund sufficient for their increasingly long lives. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.42pm BST | at 1.42pm BST |
| 1.33pm BST | 1.33pm BST |
| 13:33 | 13:33 |
| And here’s the view of a landlord in Edinburgh. | And here’s the view of a landlord in Edinburgh. |
| I own two properties in Edinburgh, one I live in (2 bedroom), one I previously lived in is now rented (3 bedroom). I do make a modest amount of money that needs to offset the fact i have £45,000 of my savings sitting where I cannot use it and at risk if something happens to the market. I consider myself a good landlord, the house is one in which I would be happy to live and I know that my tenants are happy with the management of the property. | I own two properties in Edinburgh, one I live in (2 bedroom), one I previously lived in is now rented (3 bedroom). I do make a modest amount of money that needs to offset the fact i have £45,000 of my savings sitting where I cannot use it and at risk if something happens to the market. I consider myself a good landlord, the house is one in which I would be happy to live and I know that my tenants are happy with the management of the property. |
| I am using the capital I gain on the property to boost my income so I can contribute to my pension fund. I’m not going to come out of this stinking rich, but I hope to be a little more prepared for retirement that my non-index linked Royal Navy pension and my current NHS pension would pay. Without this sort of investment then I think that I would be existing and not living in my retirement. | I am using the capital I gain on the property to boost my income so I can contribute to my pension fund. I’m not going to come out of this stinking rich, but I hope to be a little more prepared for retirement that my non-index linked Royal Navy pension and my current NHS pension would pay. Without this sort of investment then I think that I would be existing and not living in my retirement. |
| And, as it’s somewhat related, here is a comment from below the line. | And, as it’s somewhat related, here is a comment from below the line. |
| I'd say ban any more than two. To stop these excessive 'portfolio' landlords. I can understand a second home but not more than two. | I'd say ban any more than two. To stop these excessive 'portfolio' landlords. I can understand a second home but not more than two. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.34pm BST | at 1.34pm BST |
| 1.26pm BST | 1.26pm BST |
| 13:26 | 13:26 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| We’ve been hearing from readers via our confidential form on the issue of second homes in seaside locations. Here’s the view from a reader in Ilkley, Yorkshire: | We’ve been hearing from readers via our confidential form on the issue of second homes in seaside locations. Here’s the view from a reader in Ilkley, Yorkshire: |
| I believe that all new homes built in areas that are particularly vulnerable to second home ownership should be restricted to ‘principal and only home’ ownership via local residency clauses - the St Ives approach. If people subsequently move out of these homes they might rent them out to normal tenants - not as holiday lets - for a period of up to a year while trying to sell/looking for another home. | I believe that all new homes built in areas that are particularly vulnerable to second home ownership should be restricted to ‘principal and only home’ ownership via local residency clauses - the St Ives approach. If people subsequently move out of these homes they might rent them out to normal tenants - not as holiday lets - for a period of up to a year while trying to sell/looking for another home. |
| Related: St Ives backs residents-only home ownership plan in referendum | Related: St Ives backs residents-only home ownership plan in referendum |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.30pm BST | at 1.30pm BST |
| 1.11pm BST | 1.11pm BST |
| 13:11 | 13:11 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| We’re keen to hear from all sides in this debate. If you own a second home, get in touch - via the form, anonymously, if you prefer. | We’re keen to hear from all sides in this debate. If you own a second home, get in touch - via the form, anonymously, if you prefer. |
| We heard from a landlord in Cumbria, who rents out two properties. | We heard from a landlord in Cumbria, who rents out two properties. |
| It’s not always a black and white situation. My partner and I ‘own’ three homes, two of which are rented out, the other we are rebuilding as it’s not currently suitable for habitation. In reality we own none of them, the bank owns them and if interest rates go up, if we lose our jobs or if house prices slump then we are in big trouble. | It’s not always a black and white situation. My partner and I ‘own’ three homes, two of which are rented out, the other we are rebuilding as it’s not currently suitable for habitation. In reality we own none of them, the bank owns them and if interest rates go up, if we lose our jobs or if house prices slump then we are in big trouble. |
| As we rent out two homes and the other isn’t liveable we live in a caravan while we slowly rebuild what will be our home. | As we rent out two homes and the other isn’t liveable we live in a caravan while we slowly rebuild what will be our home. |
| The home we are rebuilding would be a derelict if we hadn’t bought it and without taking capital from our other homes we’d never have had the money to buy it and rebuild it. The bank would not lend much money for a house in such poor repair so we had to provide most of the money ourselves and we’ve mostly run out of money to rebuild it so we do most of the building work ourselves. | The home we are rebuilding would be a derelict if we hadn’t bought it and without taking capital from our other homes we’d never have had the money to buy it and rebuild it. The bank would not lend much money for a house in such poor repair so we had to provide most of the money ourselves and we’ve mostly run out of money to rebuild it so we do most of the building work ourselves. |
| None of our homes are in desirable areas of the country and so the rent we earn from the two we rent out barely covers maintenance costs despite interest rates being low. | None of our homes are in desirable areas of the country and so the rent we earn from the two we rent out barely covers maintenance costs despite interest rates being low. |
| I happen to agree that people owning property in desirable parts of the country and using it only as a holiday property is a selfish way to behave but all second home ownership is not that. | I happen to agree that people owning property in desirable parts of the country and using it only as a holiday property is a selfish way to behave but all second home ownership is not that. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.12pm BST | at 1.12pm BST |
| 1.06pm BST | 1.06pm BST |
| 13:06 | 13:06 |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| Just to let you know comments are currently off across the site, but should be back up shortly. Continue sharing your thoughts via the form here: | Just to let you know comments are currently off across the site, but should be back up shortly. Continue sharing your thoughts via the form here: |
| 12.56pm BST | 12.56pm BST |
| 12:56 | 12:56 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| Chris Pike, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, thinks greater regulation of landlords could be the solution. | Chris Pike, from Eastleigh in Hampshire, thinks greater regulation of landlords could be the solution. |
| I am of the view that you purchase a home not an investment. However the rental market is necessary to prove people with short term options - student and those looking a relocate to another area. Second ownership should not be banned. However it should be regulated. You should only be able to purchase property in the UK if you are a full time resident, it should not be purchased as a holiday home and if it is purchased to be let out then landlords should be required to rent them out under long term tenancies (5 years) with break clauses in the tenants favour if they wish to end the tenancy. | I am of the view that you purchase a home not an investment. However the rental market is necessary to prove people with short term options - student and those looking a relocate to another area. Second ownership should not be banned. However it should be regulated. You should only be able to purchase property in the UK if you are a full time resident, it should not be purchased as a holiday home and if it is purchased to be let out then landlords should be required to rent them out under long term tenancies (5 years) with break clauses in the tenants favour if they wish to end the tenancy. |
| There should also be lower mandatory grounds for landlords to take possession for rent arrears and local authorities should be given powers to take possession due to anti-social behaviour of private sector tenancies. This would then weed out the landlords who are only trying to make money out of the lack of affordable housing. | There should also be lower mandatory grounds for landlords to take possession for rent arrears and local authorities should be given powers to take possession due to anti-social behaviour of private sector tenancies. This would then weed out the landlords who are only trying to make money out of the lack of affordable housing. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.12pm BST | at 1.12pm BST |
| 12.55pm BST | 12.55pm BST |
| 12:55 | 12:55 |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| As we head into the first hour of the discussion, here are some comments that stand out: | As we head into the first hour of the discussion, here are some comments that stand out: |
| More than a problem of some people having a second home what needs to be addressed is the amount of properties in London(and around the country probably) that are bought as an investment asset and then kept empty. This is not just the case of the tower mentioned in the article. There are hundreds of empty flats in new developments in London that in a normal market would end up being lived by local citizens via ownership or rental but are in reality it's like they don't exist in the property market. Housing can't be seen as another item in the investment funds. This must be forbidden. Otherwise it's value is always attached to how much money city boys what to do in bonuses.A ban on the second home ownership will affect the rental market where rents are already going through the roof in some parts of the UK.In the end of the day the most important thing is to make sure that every square metre available is being lived on a regular bases. | More than a problem of some people having a second home what needs to be addressed is the amount of properties in London(and around the country probably) that are bought as an investment asset and then kept empty. This is not just the case of the tower mentioned in the article. There are hundreds of empty flats in new developments in London that in a normal market would end up being lived by local citizens via ownership or rental but are in reality it's like they don't exist in the property market. Housing can't be seen as another item in the investment funds. This must be forbidden. Otherwise it's value is always attached to how much money city boys what to do in bonuses.A ban on the second home ownership will affect the rental market where rents are already going through the roof in some parts of the UK.In the end of the day the most important thing is to make sure that every square metre available is being lived on a regular bases. |
| I think banning particular uses of property you own is fundamentally against the liberal capitalism that's the core of modern British society. So I wouldn't ban second homing. I wouldn't want to ban multiple ownership, either, because private landlords serve a purpose in the rental market. | I think banning particular uses of property you own is fundamentally against the liberal capitalism that's the core of modern British society. So I wouldn't ban second homing. I wouldn't want to ban multiple ownership, either, because private landlords serve a purpose in the rental market. |
| However, it can be a serious problem in some areas. I'm from North Yorkshire and while we're not as badly off as Devon and Cornwall, the touristy parts of the county have a lot of weekend or summer homes, and it's not good for community. | However, it can be a serious problem in some areas. I'm from North Yorkshire and while we're not as badly off as Devon and Cornwall, the touristy parts of the county have a lot of weekend or summer homes, and it's not good for community. |
| So what I'd do is:- allow councils to charge a higher council tax for properties occupied less than half the time. This means that at least the owners are making a financial contribution to the local society, in lieu of any social contribution from actually being there.- add a stamp duty surcharge, or an ongoing property value tax, to any purchase which is not becoming your primary residence. This taxes second homers and also acquisitional landlords, while leaving alone stable landlords who keep the same property in the market. | So what I'd do is:- allow councils to charge a higher council tax for properties occupied less than half the time. This means that at least the owners are making a financial contribution to the local society, in lieu of any social contribution from actually being there.- add a stamp duty surcharge, or an ongoing property value tax, to any purchase which is not becoming your primary residence. This taxes second homers and also acquisitional landlords, while leaving alone stable landlords who keep the same property in the market. |
| Not all the country is the same. It might be appropriate to ban second homes in parts of the South of England but doing so somewhere ike the Isle of Bute would just result in even more decaying empty tenements. | Not all the country is the same. It might be appropriate to ban second homes in parts of the South of England but doing so somewhere ike the Isle of Bute would just result in even more decaying empty tenements. |
| 12.44pm BST | 12.44pm BST |
| 12:44 | 12:44 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| Lots more interesting contributions via our form, with anonymous contributors urging us not to forget the rest of the country. | Lots more interesting contributions via our form, with anonymous contributors urging us not to forget the rest of the country. |
| Here’s a 42 year old from Kent: | Here’s a 42 year old from Kent: |
| It’s not just London, housing prices are climbing fast elsewhere too. | It’s not just London, housing prices are climbing fast elsewhere too. |
| The problem is that politicians love expensive housing - it’s a measure of wealth and GDP, there’s no incentive for our elected representatives to ensure that there’s truly affordable housing for the vast majority of us who aren’t millionaires or who are paid by a shell company in the Virgin Islands. | The problem is that politicians love expensive housing - it’s a measure of wealth and GDP, there’s no incentive for our elected representatives to ensure that there’s truly affordable housing for the vast majority of us who aren’t millionaires or who are paid by a shell company in the Virgin Islands. |
| The question is how can we force change - and quickly. | The question is how can we force change - and quickly. |
| We’ve also received comments making the point that many of our elected representatives are themselves landlords. | We’ve also received comments making the point that many of our elected representatives are themselves landlords. |
| Related: Number of MPs who earn from renting out property rises by a third | Related: Number of MPs who earn from renting out property rises by a third |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.44pm BST | at 12.44pm BST |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| There’s also information available from the English Housing Survey on the Department for Communities and Location Government website on second home ownership. The most recent data comes from 2013-14. It shows: | There’s also information available from the English Housing Survey on the Department for Communities and Location Government website on second home ownership. The most recent data comes from 2013-14. It shows: |
| The table below also shows the location of second homes. | The table below also shows the location of second homes. |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| So, just how much of an issue are second homes? | So, just how much of an issue are second homes? |
| There’s some interesting information on this via the BBC’s reality check series (a chunk of which is posted below): | There’s some interesting information on this via the BBC’s reality check series (a chunk of which is posted below): |
| In the 2011 Census, 1,570,228 people in England and Wales said they had a second address in England and Wales outside the local authority of their primary residence, that they used for 30 days or more each year. | In the 2011 Census, 1,570,228 people in England and Wales said they had a second address in England and Wales outside the local authority of their primary residence, that they used for 30 days or more each year. |
| Another 47,733 of those people had second addresses in Scotland or Northern Ireland, while 820,814 had second addresses outside the UK. | Another 47,733 of those people had second addresses in Scotland or Northern Ireland, while 820,814 had second addresses outside the UK. |
| But these are not all second homes in the sense that the Liberal Democrats are talking about: | But these are not all second homes in the sense that the Liberal Democrats are talking about: |
| And indeed these figures are not for the number of second addresses, they are for the number of people with second addresses, and many of these second addresses will have been given by more than one member of a particular household in the census. | And indeed these figures are not for the number of second addresses, they are for the number of people with second addresses, and many of these second addresses will have been given by more than one member of a particular household in the census. |
| 12.26pm BST | 12.26pm BST |
| 12:26 | 12:26 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| Housing was a key issue during the London mayoral campaign, with eventual winner Sadiq Khan pledging to crack down on foreign ownership of new homes in the capital. Islington Council’s James Murray has been brought in as the mayor’s deputy for housing with a brief to increase overall housebuilding and the percentage of “genuinely affordable” homes - “affordable” being a contentious term when rents are set at up to 80% of the local market rate. | Housing was a key issue during the London mayoral campaign, with eventual winner Sadiq Khan pledging to crack down on foreign ownership of new homes in the capital. Islington Council’s James Murray has been brought in as the mayor’s deputy for housing with a brief to increase overall housebuilding and the percentage of “genuinely affordable” homes - “affordable” being a contentious term when rents are set at up to 80% of the local market rate. |
| Can you afford to rent or buy in the capital? Do you feel people buying second homes and ‘off-plan’ purchases of new build properties is affecting your ability to live and work in London? | Can you afford to rent or buy in the capital? Do you feel people buying second homes and ‘off-plan’ purchases of new build properties is affecting your ability to live and work in London? |
| The areas surrounding London are being decimated in regards home ownership. Those in London who now have major amounts amount of money inflated in their properties are using it to buy up homes in the neighbouring areas of Bucks, Herts and Beds. Salaries do not even increase in line with property prices. | The areas surrounding London are being decimated in regards home ownership. Those in London who now have major amounts amount of money inflated in their properties are using it to buy up homes in the neighbouring areas of Bucks, Herts and Beds. Salaries do not even increase in line with property prices. |
| The failure to tackle Londons housing crisis is now being exported further a field and the only ones laughing are London home owners - many Labour ones as well as tories. | The failure to tackle Londons housing crisis is now being exported further a field and the only ones laughing are London home owners - many Labour ones as well as tories. |
| We should ban foreign investors from buying up properties (eg Russian and Arabic billionaires in London). If they're unoccupied they should be confiscated or subject to a bedroom tax! | We should ban foreign investors from buying up properties (eg Russian and Arabic billionaires in London). If they're unoccupied they should be confiscated or subject to a bedroom tax! |
| 12.17pm BST | 12.17pm BST |
| 12:17 | 12:17 |
| James Walsh | James Walsh |
| The debate is underway below the line. Here are a few viewpoints to get us started: | The debate is underway below the line. Here are a few viewpoints to get us started: |
| I'm more of a fan on the increased taxes for second homes rather than an outright ban.Also i'd like said increased taxes be set aside for a fund for local council house building. | I'm more of a fan on the increased taxes for second homes rather than an outright ban.Also i'd like said increased taxes be set aside for a fund for local council house building. |
| Regarding the comment | Regarding the comment |
| In practice, but I don’t see how that could be enforced. A family, for example, could put one home in the husband’s name, another in the wife’s name and a third in a child’s name. Alternatively they could hire a front man who would “own” the home but allow the beneficial owners to stay rent free or receive a “rent” which was used to pay a mortgage. | In practice, but I don’t see how that could be enforced. A family, for example, could put one home in the husband’s name, another in the wife’s name and a third in a child’s name. Alternatively they could hire a front man who would “own” the home but allow the beneficial owners to stay rent free or receive a “rent” which was used to pay a mortgage. |
| How would this affect an every day occurrence such as inheriting a parents house? Would the beneficiary be forced to sell the property as soon was practical? | How would this affect an every day occurrence such as inheriting a parents house? Would the beneficiary be forced to sell the property as soon was practical? |
| Obviously the debate is here to answer this and other questions but it seems impractical to me. | Obviously the debate is here to answer this and other questions but it seems impractical to me. |
| Homes should be sold on the basis of need. Then by those who live / were bought up closest as the first priority, | Homes should be sold on the basis of need. Then by those who live / were bought up closest as the first priority, |
| Second home buyers should always come last in the pecking order. Always. Slightly behind BTL landlords, who should be second last. | Second home buyers should always come last in the pecking order. Always. Slightly behind BTL landlords, who should be second last. |
| 12.00pm BST | 12.00pm BST |
| 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Matthew Holmes | Matthew Holmes |
| Earlier this month we asked readers around the UK what impact second home ownership was having on their towns and communities. | Earlier this month we asked readers around the UK what impact second home ownership was having on their towns and communities. |
| We heard from people living not only in coastal towns in Cornwall and nearby Devon, but also inland areas such as north Wales and the Lake District National Park, which has recently published a report on the impact of second homes on rural communities there. | We heard from people living not only in coastal towns in Cornwall and nearby Devon, but also inland areas such as north Wales and the Lake District National Park, which has recently published a report on the impact of second homes on rural communities there. |
| Russ, who is 33 and originally from North Devon, said he was forced to move away from where he grew up due to predominance of second homes. | Russ, who is 33 and originally from North Devon, said he was forced to move away from where he grew up due to predominance of second homes. |
| I grew up in an area now dominated by second homes, went to university, came back to work in a well paid profession (I’m a solicitor) and I wanted to give back to my community – yet I cannot afford to buy a house for me and my young family. In the North Devon district the average house price is 11.4 times higher than the average salary: how is that affordable? | I grew up in an area now dominated by second homes, went to university, came back to work in a well paid profession (I’m a solicitor) and I wanted to give back to my community – yet I cannot afford to buy a house for me and my young family. In the North Devon district the average house price is 11.4 times higher than the average salary: how is that affordable? |
| Cath, a restaurateur from Bembridge is feeling the impact on her Isle of Wight community: | Cath, a restaurateur from Bembridge is feeling the impact on her Isle of Wight community: |
| There is an imbalance in our community now, with second homers pushing up house prices, excluding young and/or first time buyers from areas of the island. This creates a divide in neighbourhoods: there is a very definite ‘them and us’ attitude, on both sides. | There is an imbalance in our community now, with second homers pushing up house prices, excluding young and/or first time buyers from areas of the island. This creates a divide in neighbourhoods: there is a very definite ‘them and us’ attitude, on both sides. |
| We also heard some of your potential solutions.A reader from Anglesey who prefers to remain anonymous was one of many who discussed an overhaul to council tax system: | We also heard some of your potential solutions.A reader from Anglesey who prefers to remain anonymous was one of many who discussed an overhaul to council tax system: |
| Second home owners should pay much more council tax so that they actually contribute to the local economy rather than stifling it. This could be calculated on a sliding scale proportionate to the amount of time they spend here. | Second home owners should pay much more council tax so that they actually contribute to the local economy rather than stifling it. This could be calculated on a sliding scale proportionate to the amount of time they spend here. |
| You can share more of your experiences with us in the comments below, or anonymously with the form posted here. | You can share more of your experiences with us in the comments below, or anonymously with the form posted here. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.35pm BST | at 12.35pm BST |
| 11.47am BST | 11.47am BST |
| 11:47 | 11:47 |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| Another interesting thought .... | Another interesting thought .... |
| In practice, but I don’t see how that could be enforced. A family, for example, could put one home in the husband’s name, another in the wife’s name and a third in a child’s name.Alternatively they could hire a front man who would “own” the home but allow the beneficial owners to stay rent free or receive a “rent” which was used to pay a mortgage. | In practice, but I don’t see how that could be enforced. A family, for example, could put one home in the husband’s name, another in the wife’s name and a third in a child’s name.Alternatively they could hire a front man who would “own” the home but allow the beneficial owners to stay rent free or receive a “rent” which was used to pay a mortgage. |
| 11.46am BST | 11.46am BST |
| 11:46 | 11:46 |
| We are kicking off in 10 minutes and have already had lots of interesting stuff coming through via our anonymous form: | We are kicking off in 10 minutes and have already had lots of interesting stuff coming through via our anonymous form: |
| I work as a GP in the south east of London and have done for the past 10 years. During that time I have seen house prices not just grow but explode way beyond my income, which is in the top 3% of salaries nationwide. | I work as a GP in the south east of London and have done for the past 10 years. During that time I have seen house prices not just grow but explode way beyond my income, which is in the top 3% of salaries nationwide. |
| My husband and I now pay out over £30,000 a year in rent and nursery fees for our child. We’re now looking at moving out of the capital, despite investing years of time and energy into jobs and our local community. If we have a six-figure household income and can’t afford to buy in London, who can? | My husband and I now pay out over £30,000 a year in rent and nursery fees for our child. We’re now looking at moving out of the capital, despite investing years of time and energy into jobs and our local community. If we have a six-figure household income and can’t afford to buy in London, who can? |
| Anonymous, 38, south east London | Anonymous, 38, south east London |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.10pm BST | at 1.10pm BST |
| 10.35am BST | 10.35am BST |
| 10:35 | 10:35 |
| Welcome to our live debate | Welcome to our live debate |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| At a time of rising homelessness (up by almost a third last year), should the government ban second and multiple home ownership? | At a time of rising homelessness (up by almost a third last year), should the government ban second and multiple home ownership? |
| There’s been a lot of debate on this, with news of the Tower, a 50-storey apartment complex in London, owned by foreign investors and left unoccupied for most of the year, and council plans in St Ives, Cornwall, to make new-build properties in town available only to full-time locals to help residents on the property ladder. | There’s been a lot of debate on this, with news of the Tower, a 50-storey apartment complex in London, owned by foreign investors and left unoccupied for most of the year, and council plans in St Ives, Cornwall, to make new-build properties in town available only to full-time locals to help residents on the property ladder. |
| So, what do you think? On the one side, banning second homes is risky, particularly for tourist areas such as St Ives. The London School of Economics is studying the effects of a similar ban in Switzerland, noting a negative effect on local economies. Christian Hilber, an associate professor in economic geography there, speaking to Quartz, said he recommended a tax that discourages from people buying property and leaving it empty, rather than a ban. | So, what do you think? On the one side, banning second homes is risky, particularly for tourist areas such as St Ives. The London School of Economics is studying the effects of a similar ban in Switzerland, noting a negative effect on local economies. Christian Hilber, an associate professor in economic geography there, speaking to Quartz, said he recommended a tax that discourages from people buying property and leaving it empty, rather than a ban. |
| But on the other side, house prices are out of reach for most people – what can we do to make housing more affordable? Do we have a moral obligation to ensure residents are not pushed out of the areas that they grew up in? What other solutions are there? | But on the other side, house prices are out of reach for most people – what can we do to make housing more affordable? Do we have a moral obligation to ensure residents are not pushed out of the areas that they grew up in? What other solutions are there? |
| Join us 12pm-2pm today to debate live below the line. Comments will be open at noon but check back on the page for updates and relevant information, which we will be posting over the course of the morning. | Join us 12pm-2pm today to debate live below the line. Comments will be open at noon but check back on the page for updates and relevant information, which we will be posting over the course of the morning. |
| If you would prefer to add your thoughts anonymously feel free to submit them via the form below. | If you would prefer to add your thoughts anonymously feel free to submit them via the form below. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.49am BST | at 11.49am BST |