Discussion Time: BTL's versus housing shortage

UK007BullDog

This should get some juices or flames going

Statistically about 12% of mortgages are BTL or something like that (not 100% sure on the statistics).

So if there were no BTL mortgages at all would there be no housing shortage?

I dont think so, as many people who want property are all singles. In the olden days people got married whilst still living with parents and then moved out together to build their own nest. Now there are millions of singletons who all want their own nest.

Please discuss!

Turnbull2000

Just two short points from me.

First, statistics can be meaningless. Just like immigration, I believe true levels of property letting are way above what is indicated through BTL mortgage take-ups. There could be tens of thousands of landlords using residential mortgages.

Secondly, there is no housing shortage. Just excess demand which is beginning to dry up.