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| How to end speculation and squalor in housing | How to end speculation and squalor in housing |
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| Ann Pettifor (Journal, 27 January) identifies several important strategies for solving London’s crisis of “unreal estate”, but omits one that is vital: developing regional economies. By the standards of most European nations, Britain’s economy is incredibly concentrated in a single conurbation. Today’s online technologies should make it possible for every business with a huge London office to have regional offices all over the country. | Ann Pettifor (Journal, 27 January) identifies several important strategies for solving London’s crisis of “unreal estate”, but omits one that is vital: developing regional economies. By the standards of most European nations, Britain’s economy is incredibly concentrated in a single conurbation. Today’s online technologies should make it possible for every business with a huge London office to have regional offices all over the country. |
| There are plenty of provincial centres with large enough resident populations – let’s say of 250,000 people – to build a wider commuter belt around. Even counties remote from the other metropolitan areas have such population centres. Along the west coast mainline Milton Keynes and Stoke fill gaps. In the east Midlands most of the counties’ eponymous towns are now big cities. Along the south coast Sussex has Brighton, Hampshire and Dorset Southampton, and Devon and Cornwall Plymouth. Even the gap between London and Bristol now has Swindon. | There are plenty of provincial centres with large enough resident populations – let’s say of 250,000 people – to build a wider commuter belt around. Even counties remote from the other metropolitan areas have such population centres. Along the west coast mainline Milton Keynes and Stoke fill gaps. In the east Midlands most of the counties’ eponymous towns are now big cities. Along the south coast Sussex has Brighton, Hampshire and Dorset Southampton, and Devon and Cornwall Plymouth. Even the gap between London and Bristol now has Swindon. |
| As well as reducing numbers of people moving permanently south and east it would address the absurdity of people commuting distances that would, again in the rest of Europe, be considered absurd. All in all it would make for better relations between different parts of Britain.Charles GilmanMitcham, Surrey | As well as reducing numbers of people moving permanently south and east it would address the absurdity of people commuting distances that would, again in the rest of Europe, be considered absurd. All in all it would make for better relations between different parts of Britain.Charles GilmanMitcham, Surrey |
| • Ann Pettifor is spot-on when she says that building more homes will not solve our housing crisis. The phenomenon of 3,000 unsold luxury units and a further 1,900 coming down the line, while rough sleeping in London has more than doubled in seven years, throws into stark relief the dysfunctional nature of the government’s housing policies. | • Ann Pettifor is spot-on when she says that building more homes will not solve our housing crisis. The phenomenon of 3,000 unsold luxury units and a further 1,900 coming down the line, while rough sleeping in London has more than doubled in seven years, throws into stark relief the dysfunctional nature of the government’s housing policies. |
| The City argues that rent control cannot be introduced as it would cause buy-to-let landlords to offload properties (accelerating the market collapse that has already started) and leaving recent first-time buyers with negative equity. Right-to-remain and buy-back at a re-evaluated sum from mortgagors would soften this impact. Local authorities could be empowered to buy in bulk the properties offloaded from the buy-to-let estate. Four out of 10 right–to-buy properties are now owned by private landlords. This combination would substantially re-establish the needed social-housing asset. | The City argues that rent control cannot be introduced as it would cause buy-to-let landlords to offload properties (accelerating the market collapse that has already started) and leaving recent first-time buyers with negative equity. Right-to-remain and buy-back at a re-evaluated sum from mortgagors would soften this impact. Local authorities could be empowered to buy in bulk the properties offloaded from the buy-to-let estate. Four out of 10 right–to-buy properties are now owned by private landlords. This combination would substantially re-establish the needed social-housing asset. |
| We should learn from the German tradition of housing management in which rent control and secure renewable leases have dampened inflation, without deterring private investment in building to rent.Kate MacintoshWinchester, Hampshire | We should learn from the German tradition of housing management in which rent control and secure renewable leases have dampened inflation, without deterring private investment in building to rent.Kate MacintoshWinchester, Hampshire |
| • Robert Booth’s report (29 January) on the appalling conditions endured by thousands of private tenants, “so squalid they are likely to leave them needing medical attention”, is yet another indictment against a government claiming to care about the people it is meant to represent, and the “burning injustices” it pledged to remove. It is worth reminding readers that Conservative MPs two years ago voted against proposed new rules requiring private sector landlords “to ensure their properties were fit for human habitation”, with the then local government minister, Marcus Jones, claiming the proposal would result in “unnecessary regulation and cost to landlords” (Tories reject move to ensure rented homes fit for human habitation, 12 January 2016). | • Robert Booth’s report (29 January) on the appalling conditions endured by thousands of private tenants, “so squalid they are likely to leave them needing medical attention”, is yet another indictment against a government claiming to care about the people it is meant to represent, and the “burning injustices” it pledged to remove. It is worth reminding readers that Conservative MPs two years ago voted against proposed new rules requiring private sector landlords “to ensure their properties were fit for human habitation”, with the then local government minister, Marcus Jones, claiming the proposal would result in “unnecessary regulation and cost to landlords” (Tories reject move to ensure rented homes fit for human habitation, 12 January 2016). |
| To no one’s surprise, it later emerged that 72 of the MPs who voted against Labour’s amendment were themselves landlords. I trust the Labour candidates standing in those 72 constituencies in the next general election will let the voters know how their MPs voted. Booth’s report proves “rogue landlordism” is rife; successive governments have done too little to prevent tenants’ exploitation, with the inevitable result – the return of “Rachmanism”!Bernie EvansLiverpool | To no one’s surprise, it later emerged that 72 of the MPs who voted against Labour’s amendment were themselves landlords. I trust the Labour candidates standing in those 72 constituencies in the next general election will let the voters know how their MPs voted. Booth’s report proves “rogue landlordism” is rife; successive governments have done too little to prevent tenants’ exploitation, with the inevitable result – the return of “Rachmanism”!Bernie EvansLiverpool |
| • Your article might rather obviously be addressed by a simple solution. All rented and owner-occupied homes could be compulsory inspected yearly for safety issues, as all cars have been for decades. This need not be expensive: no significant damp penetration; provision of safe water; suitable toilet arrangements; no exposed/dangerous wiring; safe lighting levels; secured access. Those that fail would get three months for remedial action and reinspection. | • Your article might rather obviously be addressed by a simple solution. All rented and owner-occupied homes could be compulsory inspected yearly for safety issues, as all cars have been for decades. This need not be expensive: no significant damp penetration; provision of safe water; suitable toilet arrangements; no exposed/dangerous wiring; safe lighting levels; secured access. Those that fail would get three months for remedial action and reinspection. |
| Cost could be low for imposed date/time visits, and doubled for bespoke times, owners to pay. Certification could be electronic as for cars. Owners could be surcharged for non-compliance, and landlords barred from letting. Council inspections could be allowed a small profit.Philip HomeNewcastle upon Tyne | Cost could be low for imposed date/time visits, and doubled for bespoke times, owners to pay. Certification could be electronic as for cars. Owners could be surcharged for non-compliance, and landlords barred from letting. Council inspections could be allowed a small profit.Philip HomeNewcastle upon Tyne |
| • Welcome though the government’s support for legislation to ensure private rented properties are safe and that tenants can take legal action if necessary is, it will be essential that legal aid is available for both advice and representation. It’s also time for the protracted process involved in procuring selective licensing schemes to be made simpler and swifter.Jeremy BeechamLabour, House of Lords | • Welcome though the government’s support for legislation to ensure private rented properties are safe and that tenants can take legal action if necessary is, it will be essential that legal aid is available for both advice and representation. It’s also time for the protracted process involved in procuring selective licensing schemes to be made simpler and swifter.Jeremy BeechamLabour, House of Lords |
| • May I add to Ann Pettifor’s clinical exposure of the failure of the UK housing market to provide truly affordable homes for all. In addition to the need to clamp down on national and international speculation in UK land, inevitably in short supply, there is a need to ensure minimum incomes are enough for healthy living after housing costs have been paid by renters or first-time buyers. “Affordable Rent is a rent of no more than 80 per cent of the local market rent”, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. In London that definition is a heartless and official oxymoron responsible for ever rising evictions and homelessness. It is high time for the many ivory towers of the UK housing market to be demolished rather than the council homes of my neighbours in Northumberland Park, Tottenham. They are due to be forcibly removed from their homes, built on public land, which will then enter the failing housing market. Their present homes are the only truly affordable homes in the UK. Rev Paul NicolsonTaxpayers Against Poverty | • May I add to Ann Pettifor’s clinical exposure of the failure of the UK housing market to provide truly affordable homes for all. In addition to the need to clamp down on national and international speculation in UK land, inevitably in short supply, there is a need to ensure minimum incomes are enough for healthy living after housing costs have been paid by renters or first-time buyers. “Affordable Rent is a rent of no more than 80 per cent of the local market rent”, according to the Department for Work and Pensions. In London that definition is a heartless and official oxymoron responsible for ever rising evictions and homelessness. It is high time for the many ivory towers of the UK housing market to be demolished rather than the council homes of my neighbours in Northumberland Park, Tottenham. They are due to be forcibly removed from their homes, built on public land, which will then enter the failing housing market. Their present homes are the only truly affordable homes in the UK. Rev Paul NicolsonTaxpayers Against Poverty |
| • It is disappointing to note that your coverage of the Labour NEC intervention into Haringey council affairs (Labour intervenes in council housing plan dispute, 23 January) doesn’t allude to the reason for its action. It is the opposition Liberal Democrat group’s request for an extraordinary full council meeting that has brought the NEC into the fray. | • It is disappointing to note that your coverage of the Labour NEC intervention into Haringey council affairs (Labour intervenes in council housing plan dispute, 23 January) doesn’t allude to the reason for its action. It is the opposition Liberal Democrat group’s request for an extraordinary full council meeting that has brought the NEC into the fray. |
| Community groups and others have been protesting about this scheme for the last 18 months, even triggering a judicial review in the high court, while Liberal Democrat councillors have been fighting hard to try to get a full council debate on this issue, which would allow all Haringey councillors to have a vote on the proposals. Tricky when it is a group of eight Lib Dem councillors facing 49 Labour councillors. | Community groups and others have been protesting about this scheme for the last 18 months, even triggering a judicial review in the high court, while Liberal Democrat councillors have been fighting hard to try to get a full council debate on this issue, which would allow all Haringey councillors to have a vote on the proposals. Tricky when it is a group of eight Lib Dem councillors facing 49 Labour councillors. |
| It is the request by the Liberal Democrat group for an extraordinary full council meeting that has forced the hand of the local Haringey Labour councillors to go to their ruling body, asking for support if they choose to go against the party whip and vote against this unpopular joint venture. This is a demonstration of opposition in action and we call on all councillors who are opposed to the HDV to vote with our motion on 7 February.Pippa ConnorLiberal Democrat councillor, Haringey | It is the request by the Liberal Democrat group for an extraordinary full council meeting that has forced the hand of the local Haringey Labour councillors to go to their ruling body, asking for support if they choose to go against the party whip and vote against this unpopular joint venture. This is a demonstration of opposition in action and we call on all councillors who are opposed to the HDV to vote with our motion on 7 February.Pippa ConnorLiberal Democrat councillor, Haringey |
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