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

[Letshaveablackcelebration]

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.

Don't be ridiculous. If some people want to offer accommodation to refugees that should be entirely up to them. Having the government intervene is a totally different kettle of fish. How would you like it if the government said to you, you've got to free up a room in your home for a refugee?

@GucciBear no one ever does a background check on me when I book a cottage! Or check if I am covid jabbed 🤷🏻‍♀️ You don’t get vetted on booking.com

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@Davros was I judging anyone at all? Massive assumption there. But if there are loads of empty homes & the government is willing to pay then what is the difference between holiday makers and refugees?[/quote]
Well for one, the amount that would be paid. £350 a month is vastly different to say £50 - £100 a night.

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@Davros was I judging anyone at all? Massive assumption there. But if there are loads of empty homes & the government is willing to pay then what is the difference between holiday makers and refugees?[/quote]
I didn't say "your" judgment but I do think there is a lot of judgment about holiday home owners or, as some people assume, second home owners which is not always the case

They could but someone needs to underwrite an appropriate insurance policy to cover any potential risks. If the government were willing to guarantee any damage or issues would be taken care of then there are many circumstances under which I would happily help those in need to stay but it's a reward/risk business. With no reward I'm just not willing to take the risk.

@SparklyLeprechaun but this is my point- these are empty homes! If the government was willing to pay then what is the problem? It’s an enormous crisis that’s set to get a lot worse

It’s easy to say you would give something if you had it to give. People telling others they should volunteer their houses and spare rooms. Threads full of people who would house refugees IF they had a holiday home, IF they had a spare bedroom. And saying they’ll house women and young children knowing very well that most will arrive as families including a man or teenage boys.

@PourSomeLove well in the case of Ukrainians, it is mostly women and kids because the men haven’t been allowed to leave and have been conscripted into the army

@PourSomeLove and I do have it to give. A room in my home.

but this is my point- these are empty homes! If the government was willing to pay then what is the problem? It’s an enormous crisis that’s set to get a lot worse

People with holiday homes often rely on them bringing in thousands per week in the summer, the government won’t match that. Or even half that if it was all year.

They are not empty homes much of the time and when ours is, we go ourselves. Our next booking is a week I have donated to a charity that sources UK holidays, linking with a local holiday letting agent, for people who are suffering financial hardship due to cancer diagnosis and treatment.

So its just down to to money then, if the govt paid the going rental rate people would be happy to take someone in even if the rental rate is vastly inflated and the owners are just greedy , £350 a month for a room in your home is pretty generous I think.

well in the case of Ukrainians, it is mostly women and kids because the men haven’t been allowed to leave and have been conscripted into the army

There’s plenty of men refugees. Most posters on other threads have not been willing to have young teen boys either.

somethingtolookforwardto.org.uk

I do have it to give. A room in my home.

Then get on with that and stop volunteering other peoples homes.

"Bet the OP does not have a holiday home then "
Guaranteed.
It's so heartwarming to see how lovely and generous the Op is with other folk's property and income

@BlanketsBanned

So its just down to to money then, if the govt paid the going rental rate people would be happy to take someone in even if the rental rate is vastly inflated and the owners are just greedy , £350 a month for a room in your home is pretty generous I think.

We’re not talking about a room in a house. We’re talking about a whole house that people rent out for an income.

I think that refugees will need day to day support so I can't see how holiday homes would be the answer. How would they navigate day to day life?

A lot of holiday homes aren’t second homes, they’re businesses. I own a cottage which I rent out but I don’t holiday there, the rental pays the mortgage, business rates and bills, it supports local restaurants, self-employed cleaners and a local laundry. Not to mention paying 20 percent VAT. What’s left is part of my income, which I pay tax on. Whilst I despair at what’s happening in the Ukraine I would need thousands in compensation to cover the loss of income, loss of goodwill and the impact on furnishings etc. I’d also need legal protection for any tenancy rights that might be created. The price of any accommodation not being used for refugees would sky rocket too. So yeah, the devil’s in the detail.

@PourSomeLove in that case surely it’s better to house a family in a house on their own and not with other families?

@PourSomeLove

but this is my point- these are empty homes! If the government was willing to pay then what is the problem? It’s an enormous crisis that’s set to get a lot worse

People with holiday homes often rely on them bringing in thousands per week in the summer, the government won’t match that. Or even half that if it was all year.

But the idea isn’t that the government match it so you make a profit or break even. Most people will make a loss - be it financial or space-wise etc. It’s altruistic. If people don’t want to, for whatever reason, that’s fine.

@Enzbear but my point is that if the government would pay to cover costs...

I would have thought the most of 'holiday homes' would be by the seaside, near a national park, the lakes or other semi-remote location. Obviously not all, but many would be.

I looked into hosting a refugee family, but they would only take people who lived in major cities. Must easier for them to access public transport, visas/embassies, local support from other speakers of the language or groups. I'd like to know what proportion of 2nd homes are actually in the major cities they will allow refugees to go to?

At £350/month rent, this is 1/4 of what some would be rented for and a 6mth commitment- over the peak summer season- would be unfeasible for many.

It's so heartwarming to see how lovely and generous the Op is with other folk's property and income

Isn’t it just. 😂

[quote Letshaveablackcelebration]@PourSomeLove in that case surely it’s better to house a family in a house on their own and not with other families?[/quote]
Are you going to offer your house?

Perhaps you could move in with a friend or family, and i'm sure you won't mind if the £350 a month doesn't cover all your bills / expenses.