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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think holiday homes could be used to house lots of refugees

660 replies

Letshaveablackcelebration · 13/03/2022 13:54

Uk has a LOT of holiday homes and empty second homes. Surely they could be used to take a lot of Refugees aswell as spare rooms? It could support local economies all year round too rather than just in peak tourism seasons? The crisis is going to escalate rapidly in Ukraine- there are 44 million people in the country and so far it’s about 2 million who have fled and now countries like Moldova and the Poland are starting to struggle so we need to step up.

Aibu? It seems like an obvious solution. Obviously using the empty homes of oligarchs too is a preference.

I read an article about a woman who gave her French holiday home to a refugee family.

OP posts:
Nanny0gg · 13/03/2022 16:30

@Proudboomer

Micheal Gove wants Seize Russian oligarch mansions to house Ukrainian refugees which I think is a great idea. No doubt it won’t happen as to many rich NIMBY types won’t want them living next door.
Don't think it'll work unless Govt pay the running costs. Can you imagine what they'd be in a 30 room home?
Bottomlessproseccolunch · 13/03/2022 16:30

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@Theluggage15 we are the only country in Europe not taking refugees in the numbers that other countries are. We have put up massive barriers because we are no longer an EU country. And our state of mind and approach is clearly completely different.[/quote]
I agree with you on this. I’m in a country who has taken in many refugees, other countries do need to step up actually because we can’t do it again.

Nanny0gg · 13/03/2022 16:32

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@AngelinaFibres so if that is the case, why are we expecting other countries to bear the whole burden then? Why should Poland take 800,000 people when we take 1000 then? There will be millions more leaving too.[/quote]
Well, for one reason - they're next door. We're 1300 miles away over water.

We wouldn't be the first choice (not saying they shouldn't come here. If they want to they should)

Nicknacky · 13/03/2022 16:33

@Letshaveablackcelebration So you say you are willing to take in a family so let’s assume you do that. Genuine questions…..

How long for? After all, they have no where else to go so you need to expect to have them there permanently.

Can you financially support a whole family?

Can you emotionally and practically support a family who very likely don’t speak much English and have been placed somewhere they never expected to go and have no idea what to do?

If so, why haven’t you don’t it sooner with someone in need?

Puzzledandpissedoff · 13/03/2022 16:33

Interesting article, TheOnlyMrsMac. Among the usual "second home owners are to blame for everything" and "the selling off of council houses" (which the tenants didn't seem to mind getting at a knockdown rate even though it reduced the affordable housing stock), I see it contains a suggestion that the 200% council tax on holiday homes could be used to support the school

That seems to me an excellent idea, and begs the question of why it's not being done already

Nanny0gg · 13/03/2022 16:34

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@CannaBelieve you have offered nothing constructive to this debate at all. Apart from insinuating that I am somehow stupid. This thread just exposes how really, most people in the U.K. don’t want refugees here at all.[/quote]
So you're dismissing all the reasoned arguments then? And just classing everyone as xenophobic NIMBYs?

Theluggage15 · 13/03/2022 16:35

But this is just you and a few others commenting on what other people should do, nothing more, and then extrapolating from people pointing out the shortcomings of your simplistic ideas that everyone in the U.K. is mean. It’s just childish.

Elphame · 13/03/2022 16:35

Wales has increased council tax on 2nd homes by 50 - 100% and is moving to up to 300%

Indeed - and if I'm going to meet the 182 days let criteria to remain on business rates then I need to be booked out with holiday makers.

I'm afraid the Welsh Govt is not going to say "Oh Elphame was nice enough to allow us to use the house for refugees for 6 months so we'll exempt her" No they'll hit me with £9000 of council tax instead.

AngelinaFibres · 13/03/2022 16:37

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@AngelinaFibres so if that is the case, why are we expecting other countries to bear the whole burden then? Why should Poland take 800,000 people when we take 1000 then? There will be millions more leaving too.[/quote]
We aren't expecting any country to do anything. If I remember correctly Angela Merkel invited Syrian refugees in and people lined up at train stations to take them in. That went pear shaped very quickly.

caringcarer · 13/03/2022 16:39

I hope an empty btl house that I am renovating. It is having new kitchen. Be ready by end of month. I am going to offer it for housing refugees from Ukraine for 6 months at £350 which is less than half of normal rent and won't cover mortgage on payment but I think I can do it for 6 months. I have a 7 bedroom holiday home in France. I don't let it out but let family and friends borrow it. I have not had a holiday since before Covid. I was hoping to get away for 3 weeks in summer to holiday home. I have told dsister she can borrow it for her, DH and DC too. I might make it available in September but £350 each month won't cover utilities and French taxes we have to pay. I do want to do my bit though as I know I am fortunate.

CannaBelieve · 13/03/2022 16:39

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@CannaBelieve you have offered nothing constructive to this debate at all. Apart from insinuating that I am somehow stupid. This thread just exposes how really, most people in the U.K. don’t want refugees here at all.[/quote]

It's hardly a debate.... just another thread on mumsnet of which we've had many the same this week.

Trainbear · 13/03/2022 16:40

Having worked in a local housing association the number of unoccupied properties would astonish you. Oh there are people on the tenancies but living with a parent, living with a lover, living... Somewhere else. Many such tenancies are paid by DWp/ housing benefit but not occupied for years. Hey ho.

Nicknacky · 13/03/2022 16:41

@caringcarer

I hope an empty btl house that I am renovating. It is having new kitchen. Be ready by end of month. I am going to offer it for housing refugees from Ukraine for 6 months at £350 which is less than half of normal rent and won't cover mortgage on payment but I think I can do it for 6 months. I have a 7 bedroom holiday home in France. I don't let it out but let family and friends borrow it. I have not had a holiday since before Covid. I was hoping to get away for 3 weeks in summer to holiday home. I have told dsister she can borrow it for her, DH and DC too. I might make it available in September but £350 each month won't cover utilities and French taxes we have to pay. I do want to do my bit though as I know I am fortunate.
So what happens after six months when they don’t leave as they have no where else to go?
AngelinaFibres · 13/03/2022 16:48

@caringcarer

I hope an empty btl house that I am renovating. It is having new kitchen. Be ready by end of month. I am going to offer it for housing refugees from Ukraine for 6 months at £350 which is less than half of normal rent and won't cover mortgage on payment but I think I can do it for 6 months. I have a 7 bedroom holiday home in France. I don't let it out but let family and friends borrow it. I have not had a holiday since before Covid. I was hoping to get away for 3 weeks in summer to holiday home. I have told dsister she can borrow it for her, DH and DC too. I might make it available in September but £350 each month won't cover utilities and French taxes we have to pay. I do want to do my bit though as I know I am fortunate.
Are you going to stand in front of that family after 6 months and tell them you are evicting them. After 6 months their children will have school places, the mother may have a job. They will have settled and begun to make a life. Once they are in your property the government won't do anything to make their housing situation more permanent in a different property. You will be left with a family whose rent doesn't cover your mortgage who have absolutely nowhere to go.
caringcarer · 13/03/2022 16:49

I am better position than most to offer help as I have one btl with tenants from Moldova living there. I have asked them if I offer a property for a refugee family can they help with translation and they have told me they speak Russian and will help with enrolling at GP surgery, schools and filling out job applications. So I will be signing up to scheme as soon as it opens and the kitchen complete by end of this month. I am also going to contact council and explain, as tenants said they will translate for others if needed too.

PourSomeLove · 13/03/2022 16:52

And now Benedict Cumberbatch has announced he hopes to take a refugee in. Announced on the red carpet. Hmm Seriously, just get the fuck on with it.

Nicknacky · 13/03/2022 16:52

@caringcarer

I am better position than most to offer help as I have one btl with tenants from Moldova living there. I have asked them if I offer a property for a refugee family can they help with translation and they have told me they speak Russian and will help with enrolling at GP surgery, schools and filling out job applications. So I will be signing up to scheme as soon as it opens and the kitchen complete by end of this month. I am also going to contact council and explain, as tenants said they will translate for others if needed too.
So again, what happens after 6 months?
toconclude · 13/03/2022 16:54

[quote OnceuponaRainbow18]@Letshaveablackcelebration

Out of interest how exactly are you planning to help? You said you’d be happy to give up a room… have you got this process in motion?[/quote]
Translation: I'm really desperate to slag off the op, got a straw handy to clutch?

AngelinaFibres · 13/03/2022 16:56

@caringcarer

I am better position than most to offer help as I have one btl with tenants from Moldova living there. I have asked them if I offer a property for a refugee family can they help with translation and they have told me they speak Russian and will help with enrolling at GP surgery, schools and filling out job applications. So I will be signing up to scheme as soon as it opens and the kitchen complete by end of this month. I am also going to contact council and explain, as tenants said they will translate for others if needed too.
Speaking to traumatised Ukrainians in Russian. Awesome
Fernandina · 13/03/2022 16:56

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@BeHappy91818 no, it’s actually having people come and live in my home. It’s very different and that’s my point. House people in need in the millions of empty homes![/quote]
But they're not empty though, are they? And where'd you get the idea that there are millions?

Many of them are businesses and are used as holiday lets all year round. Their owners need that income to pay the bills. You might just as well tell Center Parcs to take in the refugees because all their accommodation is vacant.

caringcarer · 13/03/2022 17:01

@angelinafibres, Russian is first or second language of Ukraine. Ukrainian people speak Russian. Same as in Moldova which is why my tenants can speak Russian. If a refugee does not speak English how do you suppose they fill out application forms for jobs or register with a GP?

Delectable · 13/03/2022 17:04

We got married in a fine hotel in Warwickshire. Cos of the Afghanistan crisis the hotel shut down to accommodate the refuges. It's full now. The refuges are not allowed to work and they roam all over the villages. In my opinion they should be allowed to work however, a large problem await when they're granted asylum and now how to live in regular housing.

caringcarer · 13/03/2022 17:05

@nicknacky, after 6 months I expect they will have a job, got children settled into school, registered with GP, sorted out any UC they will be entitled to and able too claim housing benefit. Government have said they will be entitled to claim benefits and stay for 3 years. My son was going to move into house but he has said he can wait 6-12 months.

BooksAndHooks · 13/03/2022 17:07

No who is going to pay? They aren’t just free houses sitting empty they are usually rented out and people rely on that income the same as people rely on earning from a job.

Nicknacky · 13/03/2022 17:08

[quote caringcarer]@nicknacky, after 6 months I expect they will have a job, got children settled into school, registered with GP, sorted out any UC they will be entitled to and able too claim housing benefit. Government have said they will be entitled to claim benefits and stay for 3 years. My son was going to move into house but he has said he can wait 6-12 months.[/quote]
6 months is nothing at all, time wise.

I think your hope is admirable, I really do but it’s naive.

So you would then be happy to have them stay long term if your son isn’t in a rush?