Patrick Harvie defends Scotland’s rent cap against critics

The SNP have proven that rent caps don’t work.

There are a number of ways to keep rents lower.

1. Reduce taxation. One in every five pounds paid by tenants to higher rate tax-paying landlords, is due to Section 24. Are social housing tenants and homeowners taxed in this way?

2. Reduce landlords costs. Ensure bad tenants can be evicted in days rather than months or years. Make sure that landlords can be recompensed for damage and rent arrears. Stop charging full council tax on empty properties.

3. Run the economy such that interest rates don’t need to rise and fall so sharply. This will mean planning for the long term and not just to the next vote.

If there’s an elephant in front of you you can tell the world it’s not there, but everyone else can still see it.

the bloke's and idiot. Even with the strength of those glasses he still can't see past the end of his nose.

He seems to believe that the housing market is its own separate entity which is immune to market economics. Either he's stupid or he's stupid.

Another politician who doesn't understand costs!
Simple:
Income - costs
income is usually 5% of value of property.
Minus mortgage 7%
Forgetting all other costs, insurance, repairs, EPC, agency fees, etc, the above would mean a loss of 2% (5 - 7).
Therefore what is happening? The owner's money in the property is greatly subsidising the tenant.
What will happen if this is not rectified?
The investment will be sold and the money invested where there is a good return without the hassle.

Buy-to-let is an enterprise, an investment where there should be a reward/income. It is not a charity or a section of the government resource.

Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 09/04/2024 - 09:14
I agree with your point 1 completely.

I agree with point 2 excepting the council tax on empty homes although I might be taking an unpopular stance. I don't think this is aimed at landlords either, but the rich who have empty houses for that occasional weekend away, etc.

I agree with point 3 as well, but it will never happen because the governemnt is never elected for the long term. They only have a few short years to make an impact and so long term plans will never be realized. Everything will always be what wins they can get now. But it would make for a much better state for all.

Must have been all of 25 in their little echo room!

The Greens are deluded, wherever they are handed some power, and the SNP has just dropped their alliance for the next election. They'll both be gone anyway, but will Labour be better?

If ‘housing is a human right’ why is the Scottish Government not supplying it themselves and instead is relying on private individuals to supply it.

"He said he was ‘proud that we brought in an emergency rent freeze – it’s something that has helped many thousands of people".

ok - find them - and ask them the following...

1.Are they still living in the same property at the same capped rent level?
2. Has the LL recently issued them with a rent increase notification? (cap was lifted on 31 March)
3. Has the LL given them due notice on the basis they want possession to sell the property? (evictions lifted since 31st March)

Reply to the comment left by Small Portfolio Landlord at 09/04/2024 - 10:23
I’m paying full council tax on an uninhabitable property that the tenant trashed.

This is one of the many factors that will prevent me choosing to rent it again.

I’d love to AirBnB it just to deny the council of a property for those in temporary accommodation. Even if I made a loss.

Commune..ist.