Gordon Brown to curb second home ownership

[dinny]

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3466783.ece

about bloody time. though will mean exisiting second homes will become incredibly valuable, I suppose...

I can't wait to see the howl of protest from the locals in the N Norfolk villgae my parents live in when they are told they cannot sell their late parents poky cottage to Jonty and Camilla up from Islington, but must wait months and months to find a local buyer for a knock down price...who still won't be able to afford it because jobs in the area are hard to find and there is no public transport into the city 40 miles away...

Rural deprivation has deeper and more complex roots than second home owners, who at least bring spending power to the pubs, restaurants and tourist economy which is often the only thriving hope left.

I agree with you on that Expat. It is not a Government policy, it is Government encouragement to Local Governemnt, and as you say it may therefore have very little impact.

But then if he were to implement this as national policy people would claim that he was being too dictarorial, not allowing local people a local say, not allowing flexiblity to suit individual communities. They would argue that New Labour are too centralist, never devolve power etc etc etc.

It would also provoke on a wider scale the sort of reaction that Eve has already had below.

yes, that already happens with the restrictive covenants, I mentioned happen where I'm from, Blu

not ALL people are like that though, the majority want to preserve their community and enable their children to carry on living in the area

I mean there are some howls of protests when people realise these restrictive covenants mean their sale price is effectively capped

A fair and interesting point, Blu.

How about, instead of the current (absurd) policy of giving a council tax discount on second homes, owners of second homes pay the full rate, and purchasers of second homes pay vat, since they are clearly luxury items.

think that is very likely, 15 years ago, council tax on 2nd homes was only 50%....

Not just 15 years ago - I think it only went up from 50% to 90% 3 or 4 years ago.

What about vat on second homes. Do we think it would be a good idea?

It'll never happen, of course, as it'll be far too difficult to enforce. And I see no mention of the buy-to-let market being curbed, surely that's as much to blame for todays lack of afforable housing to purchase.

Difficult to police. Difficult to define. What about someone with a City flat using it 3/4 nights a week with country bolthole and remote working for the other 3/4 nights a week. Believe you me, I know PLENTY of people who do that.

Gordon's on his way out anyhow. It's time for a change. Just wish it wasn't that smug old Etonian Cameron coming in though.

So tax them.

They are trying to find popular issues and not doing too well at the moment. Haven't they just reduced capital gains tax on some sales from 40% to 18% which was a ridiculous change or does that not apply to second homes and buy to lets?