Why are we building flats for foreigners?

ILW

Is the exchange rate making these very cheap for Malaysians?

Loughton_Monkey

Graham_Devon wrote: »

.....I was simply making the point that if we sell what we do build to other countries, as was your suggestion, then we are left with a bigger crisis for our population and therefore increased costs and increased housing benefit payments.

I am aware that this is the point you are making, but it has no foundation in fact.

Nobody is selling the house to another "country". A new house is a new house. You seem to be worried about the nationality or country of residence of the purchaser. There can only be two possible outcomes:

1. The overseas buyer comes to live here.
2. The overseas buyer doesn't come to live here.

2(a). He keeps it empty as a sort of holiday home.
2(b). He uses it as an investment to rent out.

Option 1. is neutral. A foreign national coming here heeds to "use up" a house. So he has the cash to buy. Fine. Why are you so upset he's buying a new property? He could buy mine. Either way it doesn't change a thing. Except that now Galliard has cleverly added new houses to the pool, then this extra strain on our housing has been marginally alleviated. Not exascerbated.

Option 2(b) is again brainlessly simple. A new house has been built. Fine. Could have been sold to anyone. Fine. Owner lives abroad. So what? A new rental property (HB or not) is available. This is what you keep screeming for.

Option 2(a) is again simple, although (in your view probably) more emotive. Who are you to deplore or decry anyone buying a second home? Thousands of Britons do it. Some in Wales. Some in London. Some in Spain. I didn't hear you bemoan the poor plight of poverty-stricken Spanish people when every new home was being snapped up by Brits.

The incidence of (a) foreign nationals needing/wanting to live here, (b) anyone wanting to invest in a BTL property, or (c) anyone wanting a second home is fixed. It happens whatever you think. It could affect a new house or an existing house. In this case, if Galliard Homes had gone to sleep, there would be X fewer houses in the pot, but the demand for (a) (b) or (c) would simply have to be filled with existing stock.

All of this does nothing to create a "bigger crisis". You logic has simply gone walkabout yet again. Try thinking about it.

In summary, if a foreigner wants to come and live here (or own a holiday home here) then he will come and live here or buy a holiday home here. Yes, this increases demand for all UK housing and could have a small impact on HB. If this is your beef, then say so.

But that fact is totally independent of and nothing to do with the issue at hand here. i.e. whether or not Galliard (or anyone else) has built new homes or not. Or indeed whether they targeted their sales push abroad or not.

We have a housing shortage. New houses have been built. Brilliant!

Graham_Devon

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

I am aware that this is the point you are making, but it has no foundation in fact.

Good.

So why throw racist accusations around then? Other than to stir for a response?

System

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Good.

So why throw racist accusations around then? Other than to stir for a response?

Do you not having anything to say about the rest of the post?

Loughton_Monkey

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Good.

So why throw racist accusations around then? Other than to stir for a response?

I thought you were doing that with the title (and specific post) seemingly against selling houses to "foreigners".

chucky

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Good.

So why throw racist accusations around then? Other than to stir for a response?

You've got previous on being racist haven't you... Remember the Polish builders...

I never understand why people feel the need to be threatened by people of another race.

ILW

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

I thought you were doing that with the title (and specific post) seemingly against selling houses to "foreigners".

So is the word foreigner racist now?
Jeez.

societys_child

leveller2911 wrote: »

. . .I mean a property that people on average earnings can afford.It can be done ,I've been in the building industry for over 25yrs.

leveller2911 wrote: »

I could build a 3 bedroom semi tomorrow for under £90k

What's stopping you? Just do it, you'll be the UKs no1 house builder in no time!:)

ILW

societys_child wrote: »

What's stopping you? Just do it, you'll be the UKs no1 house builder in no time!:)

No free land to build on.

chucky

ILW wrote: »

No free land to build on.

Buy the land.