Perhaps a reward would work better than tax for empty homes
Re: Speculation tax
The empty house tax seems to me like a sledgehammer approach to a very serious but also delicate problem. It is a punishing approach that will only foster resentment and ill will.
Would it not be possible, especially to get quick results, to offer the empty homes owners the Home Owner Grant if they rented their second home, and maybe make the proceeds from that rent tax free income, or both? If this is a stupid idea, please let me know as I would be very happy if you could explain why.
Uwe Schmidt
Cobble Hill