New Home Owners And Snagging Forum
General Categories => Current Affairs => Topic started by: The Prophet on November 03, 2011, 10:41:24 am
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Angus Hanton and a Labour-backed think tank has published a report that says those with large homes "empty nesters" should be 'encouraged' to downsize through a new land tax.
It was argued that this would make room for younger generations.
The Intergenerational Foundation, which is championed by Shadow Minister for London Tessa Jowell, claim there are 25 million empty bedrooms in England and 8 million "under-occupied" homes.
It says "whilst the young families are increasingly being squeezed into small flats and under-sized houses, older people are often rattling around in big houses with many bedrooms standing empty"
The report also suggests excluding older people from Stamp Duty when they move to a smaller home.
The report has been described as "bullying, patronising and down right offensive."
Public response has suggested that the so-called empty bedrooms are needed for grandchildren.
If through forced downsizing, demand increased for smaller homes a shortage would mean a disproportionate rise in prices, further depleting available affordable homes for first-time buyers.
It should also be noted that there are many empty homes across the country that could be bought by housing associations and used by young families.
Other angry comments have suggested that the young should limit themselves to the number of children they can afford to house.
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Grant Shapps has brought this ridiculous schme back into the news.
Have a look at the new proposals and how NOT in the elderly homeowner's interstes this is.
Stealing homes from the elderly (http://<http://www.brand-newhomes.co.uk/forum/smf/index.php?topic=516.0)