To think rich people shouldn’t be allowed to buy multiple houses when others can’t afford one?

[YourTealBalonz]

I know people say “it’s their money” but I genuinely think the housing crisis is made worse by second-home buyers and landlords snapping up properties just to sit on them. It drives up prices and freezes people out of the market. I’m glad council tax rules are starting to push back on this. AIBU to think second home ownership should be discouraged more openly?

I don't mind if the extra houses are rented out, but an individual or couple keeping a choice to homes to live I feel is a bit much, when it's so easy to stay in a hotel if you have that kind of money. The increased council tax on second homes is a good idea but may not deter the better off second home owners.

One of the biggest BTL landlords in the country is Lloyds Bank. Because interest rates are so low, they make more money from buying and renting out property than by lending money for mortgages. Penalising a few hundred individuals is not going to solve the problem as you perceive it.

There are no simple and easy solutions to problems, and the constant tweaking to reduce inequality and make things fairer inevitably make things worse.

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In Japan you have to prove you have a designated parking space at your home address or another option (paperwork to prove you have an owned or rented garage nearby) before you can register a car.

Not ban, but certainly things like higher council tax. I might be wrong, but don't people pay double council tax on unoccupied homes already?
I think there should be some leeway on that, especially when someone inherits a house.

All LL's are on the decrease both not for profit ones a quick Google search shows in Feb 2025 there were 1284 not for profit LL in UK. These are decreasing every year as in March 2024 there were 1366 and in 2016 there were 1570. 93k PSLL left the sector in 2025 and 150k over last 2 years. Once ECP C are required I believe huge numbers of LL's will exit market and rental property will be on very short supply.

Yes I’m fine with measures like some moderate extra tax (though council tax always seems an odd one to increase, as an empty house uses less in services not more).

I very much doubt many people buy houses and leave them empty. We have had holiday lets which were hard work, people leave a mess etc it wasn’t all for money. Also we plan to buy a holiday home for ourselves one day with money we have worked hard for, just because some people can’t afford things doesn’t mean no one should have them, I’d like a flat in central London, I’ll probably never be able to but don’t begrudge others that do.

If you are prepared to pay the going marketed rate there are plenty of homes available to rent or buy throughout the UK.

We have too many people expecting subsidised housing whether that is social housing or in receipt of housing benefit. The housing issue is an increased welfare issue.

That's not what a housing crisis is though. A housing crisis is a situation where a significant proportion of the population lack access to safe, secure and fit for purpose housing which they can afford.

That's nothing to do with "wanting" cheap housing. The generally accepted standard of affordability is 1/3 of gross income.

Wanting x, y or z is irrelevant - but it is a housing crisis if a significant chunk of the population can neither rent nor get a mortgage for adequate housing costing around 1/3 of their gross income per month.

@PapaSatanicusif we ban holiday lets, where should people stay when they go on holiday? As a family of 4 (including a toddler), I really hate staying in hotels even for the weekend. It’s hell. No one sleeps. No where to relax.

No we need rent control. Affordable rents to allow people sustainable homes who would never be able to buy

People only get social housing or HB if they are entitled to it. You can't just decide you don't want to pay market rent and get HB or a council house.
In some areas (mine is one) the amount of people needing social housing is so high, that there is a limit on your earnings to even get on the list. £30k for a single person, £40k for a couple. So a couple both in NMW full time jobs would not be eligible to get on the list.
Even the demand for one bedroom places is high here. I have known people to live in a hostel for years before being offered their own home. Now they are full, and people here are living in hotels.

There is no shortage of houses op. Not being able to afford one doesn't mean there is a shortag e. Stopping people buying a second property won't suddenly allow you to buy one

I think it's a bit selfish to want a field for a horse when it can be used to build housing for people.

You could say that about any field anywhere though. Horses need space.
Or are you saying it is selfish to have horses when the land they need would be better used for housing?

Where would it stop? Why have theme parks? The land could be used for housing... etc etc

But a theme park provides jobs so people can afford housing

Completely agree@UniquePinkSwan
You have a very narrow and naive view of the housing infrastructure in this Country OP.

Theme park work is seasonal and mostly younger people.

Keeping horses also provides jobs for people.

My garden is massive. Should I be made to sell off some of it and let another house be built on it?

Most land in this country is used for livestock farming ( 85% of 70% of our total land mass )
Its selfish to eat animal products that use all that land that could be built on

How does that sound?

Absolutely!
People go on about social housing being subsidised (they are not), but their rents are what all rent should be.
We need more social housing though. Someone in a council house on benefits is paying straight back into the system. HB going to private landlords is just going into their pockets.

Well, 40-80% goes on costs and then 40-60% of the remainder goes in taxes but yeah if people don’t want private landlords then we need more social housing. All punative taxes and legislation will do is put up rents and all rent controls will do is paralyse the market. You will end up with year long waiting lists for a flat in London, not much fun if you’re trying to get a job there.

Holiday cottages & air b&b’s are more of a problem. Killing village life and causing local schools to close. Cornwall… Cotswolds… Lakes etc. It’s sad locals get priced out of town!

We need both. Private landlords have their place for sure.

Actually, you don't need to be 'rich' to own more than one house (depending where it is of course) just have to sort out your priorities.