My big political wish (well one of them) for 2024

I don’t think that an elected second is a good idea or the answer to our problems. The issue with the HOL is that there are too many politicians in it not too few. I think there is mileage in elegrans idea of a quota system among the professions. We need a second chamber populated by people of good sense with expertise in something other than politics.

MaizieD The reasons properties stay empty are perhaps a bit more complex than just investment vessels. In fact, few people would buy an investment property and leave it empty. Houses deteriorate rapidly when left empty. Anyone wanting to invest in property, makes sure their properties are tenanted and bringing in an income to cover the cost of maintenance.

There are a lot of unoccupied properties in London. Mainly owned by foreign investors, some have London properties as boltholes and income resources if they have to flee their country of origin. Others are invested for capital growth, although as the housing market slows down, they are beginning to disinvest. However these high end luxury flats are of little use to most poorly housed people as the rents are so high.

Once you get out of London. the cause of empty houses is more complex. A good proportion are empty following the death of the owners and many families can take years clearing out a house and putting it on the market. Probate problems can keep houses empty. In addition many probate sale houses need wotk. many elderly people cannot afford or do not bother to keep houses up to date, so that their when houses come on the market, their poor condition hinders a quick sale. We are house renovators and have benefitted from buying old houses in poor condition and renovating them.

Many houses are empty awaiting demolition and redevelopment. Look at the number of properties bought and demolished for HS2 - and those bought and standing empty now that were to have been demolished when the line was extended to Leeds.

1.5 million houses may be empty now, but many will be occupied this time next year, to be replaced by more that will be empty a year or two, before being reoccupied. It is the churn in the empty house sector that makes dealing with it so difficult.

You know what, MOnica? The two empty houses in our little tiny settlement of 12 houses are both empty because the owners have moved away and left them. No problems with probate, not 'investment' properties., no legal problems with them at all. Just abandoned for at least 10 years...

I'm sure they aren't the only ones in the entire UK. 1.5 million is not a negligible figure...

Perhaps compulsory purchase powers should be extended to cover properties left empty for a number of years.

I think a big percentage of vacant properties are flats above shops, which are in need of refurbishment, and are at the least desirable end of the market?

I would like to see Whitewaves sweeping away of corruption, cronyism and undemocratic practices but, like others l don't believe it can happen just by a government with good intentions coming to power but a change of culture could come about over time.

I am one of those who doesn't want an wholly elected House of Lords for the reasons mentioned. However, I would like to see the country properly devolved into Combined Councils with a law that says each must receive an equal amount from the government taxation. It would/could be an idea that the Mayors of the Combined Council each have a seat in the HoL.

Casdon

I think a big percentage of vacant properties are flats above shops, which are in need of refurbishment, and are at the least desirable end of the market?

I think we have to accept that no-one is inclined to take any responsibility for taking over and making such empty properties habitable. Local authorities because they don't have the money and central government because they are ideologically opposed to state spending.

The thing is MaizieD that these properties are not empty, they are owned, and the majority have occupants in the shops on the ground floor. It would be possible to incentivise landlords to do them up and rent them I guess- but even in a housing crisis I think a lot of people would be reluctant to live there. I live near a small market town, and whenever I go into town at night I can see they are unoccupied - I’d hazard a guess that there are at least thirty even in a small place like this.

Why would people be reluctant to live in a flat over a shop?
If I were homeless I'd prefer that to sofa surfing or sleeping on the streets.

Interesting, though, that the excuses are coming in for leaving dwellings empty...

I agree with Maizie. I live in a market town an most of the flats over shops are inhabited.

There are between 300,000 and 400,000 empty flats above shops in England alone according to this report.
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN03012/SN03012.pdf

The report also recommends developing flats over shops for residential use. There is no reason why not.

MaizieD There are many reasons why houses are left empty. You are making the classic mistake of assuming that because the two houses near you have just been abandoned, this applies to all houses.

The definition of an 'empty home' is a house that has been unoccupied for 6 months. Over my life I have been involved in emptying and disposing of over 6 houses after someone died. In every case the house was unoccupied for over six months, but only one was unoccupied over a year and this was because there was a massive slump in the housing market and even drastically reducing the price could not dispose of a house in a a market where there were no buyers.

I would be very interested to see the figures on properties empty for a year or more. I think they would drastically reduce the number of vacant houses.

Some flats above shops belong to the owners of the shop below them because a previous owner lived "over the shop". They are used for storing goods and so on, so are not really empty, even if they are uninhabited.

Elegran

Some flats above shops belong to the owners of the shop below them because a previous owner lived "over the shop". They are used for storing goods and so on, so are not really empty, even if they are uninhabited.

I was wondering about that. The report doesn't make it clear whether the spaces are empty flats or storage areas. I think there might be council tax/business tax implications.

Flats above shops would require a separate entrance and probably a high standard of fire escape provision, separating services too. Where it can be done easily I’m sure landlords will use the space, a lot of other property needs major work to bring it up to standard. There is an incentive to occupy property because rates are charged after being empty for 3 months.

The point being made though was that they are empty, potentially useable areas. I’m sure they are a mixture of all the different types mentioned, but they will all be potentially useable. I know my local council housing department did a survey, which I assume was replicated nationwide.

Katie59

Flats above shops would require a separate entrance and probably a high standard of fire escape provision, separating services too. Where it can be done easily I’m sure landlords will use the space, a lot of other property needs major work to bring it up to standard. There is an incentive to occupy property because rates are charged after being empty for 3 months.

It's happened in my town, probably because house prices are so high and every space is used for housing.

I once lived in a flat over a shop. There were already stairs to the upper floors and you could see where an additional entrance had been added without disruption.

Sorry, but if it's possible, it should be done.

It's a different story when a whole row of shops is dilapidated. The freeholder is probably hanging on until the whole row can be demolished and redeveloped. Land with planning permission is likely to be worth than run down shops.

Casdon

The point being made though was that they are empty, potentially useable areas. I’m sure they are a mixture of all the different types mentioned, but they will all be potentially useable. I know my local council housing department did a survey, which I assume was replicated nationwide.

I agree. There will be different useable spaces in almost every authority.

Is one of the basic problems with housing that the rentier economy has, to some extent, taken over the work dependent economy? Not that I think of work as "moral" or investment as "evil" but the rentier economy seems to strip out growth.

Is this a reasonable interpretation?

I too wholeheartedly agree with most OP states, however I’d like our 2nd chamber AKA to be partially made up of elected personnel and party appointed, there are many “normal” people in our current HoL and this would maintain “balance”.

Mollygo very well said!

I would like to get rid of the party system of government. Local representatives should form a government and these people should rule the country. They should decide (by listening to public opinion) on what they are going to try to achieve and then they can divide into smaller working groups to achieve it. The house of Lords, should be abolished but should become a think tank of advisors to the government - people who are successful in their field, to provide their expertise - for example - top scientists, doctors, judges, head teachers, entrepreneurs, engineers and accountants etc.
And when we see Prime ministers questions there will be discussion about common goals, reports on progress, discussion of possible future ideas as opposed to the current posturing and bickering. A group of people putting their time and energy into supporting each other for the good of our country.
The King can still "honour" people in recognition of their achievements - (like a Royal Bafta!)
(Just saw a pink sparkly pig flying past my window!)

Nothing will change unless the people as a whole stand up to those who attempt to wield power. To protest, to call out the ideological foolishnesses that appear to drive politically correct thinking. To not be afraid to speak out. Right now we appear cowed, wanting to get on with our own little lives as unnoticeably and quietly as possible. We can’t if we want change, we have to stand up and be counted. For a small example, I have always called out anti social behaviour from those around me. Casual violence/bullying, excessive loud swearing in public, threats to someone weaker etc which, sadly, I see all the time where I live. I am little old lady (67) and am bemused that strapping men will tell me to pipe down and not get involved with what is not up to me to sort out even if it causes bystanders annoyance and not a little fear. And so the ugliness, the demise of decent standards continues because ‘a few good men do nothing’. I’d like us all to be braver and unafraid to stand up for what we believe in, what we want our society to be and what we need from our government to achieve it. To not be silenced by those who would turn us into a class that meekly accepts the status quo and the current right think/right speak for fear of standing out. Heaven knows if it will ever happen though, perhaps we’re too far down the rabbit hole for that now.

Ethical Labour government is an oxymoron, surely.

Governments are only people and people are flawed.

Jannipans, I read your post with interest. They sound like good ideas, especially the think tank.
My concern would be the decisions on what to do being made by listening to public opinion.

Whose public opinion would win e.g. in the need for a high speed link between London and the North?
Would it be the public opinion of those who would benefit or the public opinion of those whose homes and livelihoods will be destroyed by the construction of such a link?
Would it be the public opinion of those who advocated vaccination and wearing masks, or the public opinion of those who declared it was unnecessary and refused to do it?