R.Peston blog on inflation flooded with those disenchanted with housing

fordcapri2000

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32033926


Robert Peston has yet again had to suspend the comments on his BBC blog due to yet another uproar about housing costs in the UK, all of which are are very well articulated and well received.

The argument this time is that the reporting of low inflation is just a joke when so many people in the UK are being ripped off with shoddy housing controlled by greedy reptile BTL landlords in many cases(not all).

Outside this board where the usual half dozen 24/7 non stop property rampers preach to the already converted year after year there is huge growing feeling of disenchanted working people who have just about had enough of being ripped off when it comes to housing.

ampersand

There's a national election in May.

Vote for policies, not personalities, especially teflon ones.

Rotor

The comments seem to be from a long list of people who can't seem to understand the concept of 'a basket of goods and services' to measure inflation and instead moan that they buy something that has gone up in price ( but ignore those that have gone down) and so inflation must be increasing.

Graham_Devon

fordcapri2000 wrote: »

Outside this board where the usual half dozen 24/7 non stop property rampers preach to the already converted year after year there is huge growing feeling of disenchanted working people who have just about had enough of being ripped off when it comes to housing.

Echoed on question time this week when rent controls were discussed.

The lib dem spokesman on QT wanted pre fab housing built to sort out the immediate problem while increased building took place on brownfield sites. Seemed like quite a good idea to be fair - a shame it will never be anything more than that.

The tories appeared to think they had fixed the problems with HTB and the HTB ISA.

Labour didn't go far enough to answer the question really. Seemed somewhat cautious considering one of their policies is rent controls.

Cyberman60

Some people are just never happy unless we have a Labour government. I remember itwas just like this in 1996 when we had good economic figures and people were spouting how evil the Tories were. Labour then promised the earth and we all know what happened for the next 13 years and the reasons for the current austerity. Ah well..... here we go again...sighs.

spikyone

fordcapri2000 wrote: »

The argument this time is that the reporting of low inflation is just a joke when so many people in the UK are being ripped off with shoddy housing controlled by greedy reptile BTL landlords in many cases(not all).

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Labour didn't go far enough to answer the question really. Seemed somewhat cautious considering one of their policies is rent controls.

Controlling rent and the "greed" of landlords is only half the story though - tenants are getting thumped left, right, and centre, by the vast array of fees that letting agents have dreamt up. Those who rent have to pay hundreds of pounds for the privileges of:

• being referenced - in reality, a simple database search and a faxed/e-mailed form to the employer
• having a tenancy agreement - in reality, a two minute job updating the names and addresses on a template
• an inventory check - in reality, the LA did this when the last tenant moved out

It's bizarre that all of these things, which are in the interest of the landlord, are paid for by the tenant. Not to mention the fact that every letting agent, without fail, will try to get tenants to sign a new tenancy agreement at the end of the 'fixed' period of an AST, even though this is completely unnecessary. Guess what - the tenant will be charged for that too, and the LA sure as heck won't tell them it's unnecessary.


I would vote for any political party that promises to ban these practices, rather than endlessly inflating house prices with nonsense like HTB.

Loughton_Monkey

fordcapri2000 wrote: »

...Robert Peston has yet again had to suspend the comments on his BBC blog due to yet another uproar about housing costs in the UK, all of which are are very well articulated and well received...

You are probably bleating about the "Have Your Say" comments after Peston's article. These are always closed once the BBC back room boys have had enough inane comments and wish to spend their enormous wages in the wine bar...

I fear you may have been 'on something' when reading the comments. Most of them seem to be griping about the new layout BBC website. I noticed very little 'uproar' about housing costs [although they were mentioned]. As to being 'well articulated' - all I can say is that maybe they are if judged by today's ultra-low literacy standards.

You claim they were "well received". By whom? Peston? [did you ask him?] The BBC? [then why did they 'suspend' the comments?]. Yourself? [That's my guess].

As Peston's so-called article explains, UK inflation as measured by CPI is at zero percent. Fact. Get used to it. Enjoy it. Buy yourself a bag of sweets to celebrate [sugar-free, perhaps. Too much sugar can make you hyper....]

If you look hard enough, there are probably forums out there dedicated to ramping house prices down and slagging off 'reptile BTL Landlords' 24/7. Wouldn't you be happier there?

TheBlueHorse

I wonder how many labour supporters actually "support" labour policies and think they are good - compared to how many just think tories are evil and everything that is wrong with the world is down to thatcher

N1AK

Graham_Devon wrote: »

Labour didn't go far enough to answer the question really. Seemed somewhat cautious considering one of their policies is rent controls.

Talking about fixing the housing shortage, affordability etc is something every party is happy to do. Actually doing it requires taking action to increase house building, and as house building is very unpopular amongst those who might live near new housing the political parties won't risk actually doing anything.

Think of it as thus:
> If the conservatives pledged to build 200 new developments of 1,000 houses (hardly big numbers) it would certainly lead to 200 local protest groups, and even if the houses are built they'll get limited credit (the benefit to the average individual isn't direct).
> If they don't then they can keep making vague statements and implementing the odd ineffectual policy to sound like they care. Housing supply gradually gets tighter, and eventually politicians in general will be blamed for under-building over an extended period.

N1AK

TheBlueHorse wrote: »

I wonder how many labour supporters actually "support" labour policies and think they are good - compared to how many just think tories are evil and everything that is wrong with the world is down to thatcher

It works both ways. I honestly don't think I've spoken to anyone whose reason for not voting for Labour is not something like "I'd rather vote for Gromit".

IronWolf

People actually think Labour will do anything about this? I dont think any party is really willing to tackle the housing problem. I think Will Self on QT hit the nail on the head, all the MPs benefit from HPI, with their second homes and such. They dont want to take a hit by actually building enough houses.