Housing Crisis

I can’t stand the term “crisis” it’s so over used and misused these days it’s totally lost it’s meaning.

The “housing crisis” in the UK is a lie started by the government and building contractors to artificially justify building houses everywhere because it has such an impact on the growth of the economy.

The issue with housing is the attitude towards long term renting, poor quality rental stock (sometime just plane dangerous), not enough legislation around controlling the quality of housing stock or the manpower to implement it. If you are in a position to own second, third...tenth homes you’re criticised and targeted by the socialist left who want to tax you to within an inch of your life for doing well in the world.

The Riddler said:

The “housing crisis” in the UK is a lie started by the government and building contractors to artificially justify building houses everywhere because it has such an impact on the growth of the economy.

Absolutely!

The Riddler said:

The issue with housing is the attitude towards long term renting, poor quality rental stock (sometime just plane dangerous), not enough legislation around controlling the quality of housing stock or the manpower to implement it.

The problem is the changing requirements to building standards - it's cheap to build basic houses but directly you need to update / rewire / re plumb / insulate etc. it costs a fortune to rip out the old stuff and put in new - especially where standards have changed so the update is incompatible (eg solid brick walls and insulated walls),

The old houses drop out of the system because the housing association charges below-market rents so they can't accumulate enough cash to keep them up to scratch.    

The average renter these days absolves all responsibility to look after their own accommodation so the property will require a full refurb before the next tenant can move in - sucking more cash away from the ability to rebuild.

The people who need the property are often their own worst enemies.

As a builder and an electrician I can tell you there is no requirement to change the wall structure for rental purposes. The building has to adhere to building regulations at time of building. Only when extending or adapting do you have to bring it up to current regs.

I agree with what you say about some tenants being their own worst enemies though. I saw a program recently looking at housing across Europe. Their attitude is quite different and renting is the norm in some cases. There was a particular couple, in Scandinavia I think, who lived in a beautiful apartment block where everyone rented and was really proud of it. The whole block did their bit to maintain the grounds and the communal areas. As a result it was a great place to live. 

As a builder and an electrician I can tell you there is no requirement to change the wall structure for rental purposes. The building has to adhere to building regulations at time of building. Only when extending or adapting do you have to bring it up to current regs.

I agree with what you say about some tenants being their own worst enemies though. I saw a program recently looking at housing across Europe. Their attitude is quite different and renting is the norm in some cases. There was a particular couple, in Scandinavia I think, who lived in a beautiful apartment block where everyone rented and was really proud of it. The whole block did their bit to maintain the grounds and the communal areas. As a result it was a great place to live. 

The Riddler said:

As a builder and an electrician

Cool - me too - I'm currently converting and extending a 1920s bungalow.

I'm talking things like old concrete-cancer blocks of flats - and they were still using Asbestos into the 80s.    The old houses with solid walls now don't meet R-value standards so are a pain to insulate and concrete roof tiles are much heavier than the expensive slates.  

Solid concrete floors are huge heat sinks and often had water pipes run under the surface - it all costs to fix.

Housing associations are under enormous pressure to keep their stock up to current standards - or they get accused of being slums.

I agree with you about Europe - most people rent near where they work so are happy to move if their job changes - which also means they can cycle to work.   They only buy property when they retire.

I helped on of my old workmates move into a flat in The Netherlands - where they even took their electrical fittings with them when they move out!     I had to fit all new lights and sockets.