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ESRI report - we are not overcooked, but house prices will rise 20% by 2020

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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    keane2097 wrote: »
    I saw an interesting notion on twitter during the week also, where apparently in certain parts of Dublin in the past the eligibility for social housing was relaxed (i.e. people on higher wages could get a place) and it led to a greater socio-economic mix in these areas.

    I don't know if this actually happened or have any of the details really, but it's an interesting twist on the affordable housing idea I thought.

    Yes, during the boom you could earn 58K and qualify for affordable housing in the southside.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    Graham wrote: »
    You're not though. You're saying it didn't work when we had a global financial crisis.

    It works in theory but not in practice. It didnt work in the bust either, as nobody could get a mortgage, and it doesn't work in the recovery now because people have to save against the headwinds of increasing rent and the average age of the FTB is 35 (last I heard) and therefore a child is there, or on the way.

    So no ladder, except for very few. People are literally saving to buy their forever house as FTBs


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    So no ladder, except for very few. People are literally saving to buy their forever house as FTBs

    Skip buying a lower price starter home because people can't afford their 'forever home'???

    Now I know the point is fairly moot because there are virtually no starter homes being built but that's another discussion altogether.

    Regardless, I find the entire 'forever home' concept a bit daft. People have different housing needs at different life-stages. That's something that should probably be reinforced by property taxes.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    Graham wrote: »
    Skip buying a lower price starter home because people can't afford their 'forever home'???

    Now I know the point is fairly moot because there are virtually no starter homes being built but that's another discussion altogether.

    Regardless, I find the entire 'forever home' concept a bit daft. People have different housing needs at different life-stages. That's something that should probably be reinforced by property taxes.


    I feel like I am hitting a wall with an important part of my body. The average FTB is 35. At that stage they need a large house, not to get on some mythical housing ladder that may guarantee them a nice pad in 20 years.


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭ArnieSilvia


    Danger781 wrote:
    This is not meant as a criticism to anyone, but more just to point out that you can't paint everyone with the same brush.

    Danger781 wrote:
    You can see my requirements to simply live my life at a somewhat comfortable standard mean that I'm going against what most posters in this thread are saying you should be doing to get on the property ladder..

    Danger781 wrote:
    On the note of my job, if you have a look for IT roles you'll notice that nearly all are located in Cork and / or Dublin.. and I'd rather emigrate than live in Dublin if I'm honest.

    Danger781 wrote:
    So I need to start with something larger than a one bedroom apartment. I guess that means we could just look at a two bedroom apartment.. and then look for a new owner for her dog. We're not heartless people and could never get rid of her hairy baby so that means an apartment is ruled out. Suddenly our "needs" go from a single bedroom apartment to a two bedroom house. As part of my working needs, and to maintain my hobby, I need somewhere with a high speed consistent internet connection, which means that we "need" to look at city and suburbs more than likely.

    Danger781 wrote:
    On the note of my job, if you have a look for IT roles you'll notice that nearly all are located in Cork and / or Dublin.. and I'd rather emigrate than live in Dublin if I'm honest.

    Danger781 wrote:
    I am in a similar situation to the OP you responded to, and while your situation might be the "ideal" scenario it is not suited to everyone's needs. I work in a technical IT role and while I'm normally in the office I do have the option of working from home when needed. One of my main hobbies also includes chilling out on my computer at home playing video games with a few friends, or watching Netflix, or working on a project etc.. If myself and the GF were going to buy a one bedroom place, then my Desk would either be in the bedroom, living room or kitchen. Nobody wants that, and it would make working from home more of a burden than a benefit. There is a good chance my hobby would start to cause conflict if I'm up late in the bedroom, or shouting in the living room... You get the idea. I need an office room.


    I think that some people responded to your post along the notion of want rather than need.

    Well, you are a professional, worked your way up to be where you are. Is what you "need" really applicable here??! Really?!!

    People who are working hard and smart can reasonably expect to have what they "want" not only what they "need".

    Let's leave the "need" thing for lifers on the dole, otherwise it's pathetic. Why would someone want to work if all they could get is what they "need", ie what others that don't work would get for free anyway??

    We are not a third world economy apparently but above posts are pure race to the bottom mentality.


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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    That’s a fairly false distinction. They were stuck with a 1 bedroomed house because the market crashed.

    There were very few repossessions however, so these people had a sizeable house for a family.

    In other words the housing ladder failed. Which is why Irish people want to get onto the middle rungs of the ladder, and buy a house for good prior to, or just after, having kids.

    The Geography Department in Maynooth published a report depicting exactly what you're saying (based on anonymised census data supplied by the CSO). They have updated this with the most recent information (from the last census)- and it clearly shows what you're suggesting.

    There are over 180,000 households out there- who are owner occupiers, living in properties that are classified as unfit for purpose (notably too small to bring families up in- overcrowded etc). These people are the silent forgotten people.


  • Registered Users Posts: 29,346 ✭✭✭✭homerjay2005


    Ironically enough and slightly off topic I was listening to RTE Radio 1 yesterday and a city Councilor was being interviewed as part of the homeless situation and he stated that he was aware of people who declared themselves homeless were given hotel accommodation and then went back to live with relatives only staying in the hotel a couple of nights a week. He did mention he had similar conversations with other councilors who said the same thing. The reason given for this was that if they gave back the hotel room they would not be a priority on the housing list. So the tax payer is paying in excess of €25k per year to a hotel where the room is not being used and the people who are homeless are playing the system for their own gains.

    this is shocking, these people are cheating the system and inflating "homeless" figures and in turn then, this propaganda is being pushed onto us as if we have 1 million living on the streets when the reality is, its about 200, of which most are in Dublin due to no other reason apart from addiction issues.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    The Geography Department in Maynooth published a report depicting exactly what you're saying (based on anonymised census data supplied by the CSO). They have updated this with the most recent information (from the last census)- and it clearly shows what you're suggesting.

    There are over 180,000 households out there- who are owner occupiers, living in properties that are classified as unfit for purpose (notably too small to bring families up in- overcrowded etc). These people are the silent forgotten people.

    Well my brother was in that position for years. He owned a two bedroom but had two kids who shared until they were too old. Moved out to rent a bigger house, and then rented out the smaller one. Then came massive increases in rent in his 3 befroom rental, so he moved back to the smaller house where two kids of opposite sex were sharing a room at 10. Only in the last year has he bought a bigger house.

    People know this happened before, and they are buying for the first time later in life so they are not interested in a ladder but a housing step.

    If we build more appartments, that are sizeable -- this may change.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    I think that some people responded to your post along the notion of want rather than need.

    Well, you are a professional, worked your way up to be where you are. Is what you "need" really applicable here??! Really?!!

    People who are working hard and smart can reasonably expect to have what they "want" not only what they "need".

    Let's leave the "need" thing for lifers on the dole, otherwise it's pathetic. Why would someone want to work if all they could get is what they "need", ie what others that don't work would get for free anyway??

    We are not a third world economy apparently but above posts are pure race to the bottom mentality.

    Needs rather than wants sounds a bit Dickensian.

    I dont need anything but a shelter, some clothes, and just food to survive. They had that in 19C workhouses. I do want a bit more.


  • Registered Users Posts: 24,384 ✭✭✭✭lawred2


    this is shocking, these people are cheating the system and inflating "homeless" figures and in turn then, this propaganda is being pushed onto us as if we have 1 million living on the streets when the reality is, its about 200, of which most are in Dublin due to no other reason apart from addiction issues.

    25k a year?

    what a nation of muppets


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  • Registered Users Posts: 829 ✭✭✭Ronaldinho


    Anyone understand why the ratio of house prices to disposable income would have fallen from 1.2 to 0.7? Prices are almost where they were. While inflation has been low taxes are higher. Doesn’t compute.

    If you look at the CSO's residential property index it's about 30 points off the highs at the beginning of 2007.

    Rough numbers would be 130.5 / 103.1 for end Q3 2017 and 94.3 / 117.1 at end Q2 2017. The divisors being the disposable income index.


  • Registered Users Posts: 395 ✭✭waxon-waxoff


    I get the impression that many with an interest in property believe a slow down will happen within a decade. For this reason they want to sell now prices are strong, or maximise rent to cushion the fall that will inevitably come.

    With the demand that is there at the moment, i wouldnt imagine that it would go as severe as the last property crash. But, Brexit could yet be a disaster and cause a recession here again.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    Ronaldinho wrote: »
    If you look at the CSO's residential property index it's about 30 points off the highs at the beginning of 2007.

    Rough numbers would be 130.5 / 103.1 for end Q3 2017 and 94.3 / 117.1 at end Q2 2017. The divisors being the disposable income index.

    I assume the first Q3 is 2006.

    Hmm. This wouldn’t apply to Dublin property. And you know I’m not so sure about disposable income increasing by that much. I know wages have increased in recent years but not by a lot after a fall and taxes are still higher.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,285 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    I get the impression that many with an interest in property believe a slow down will happen within a decade. For this reason they want to sell now prices are strong, or maximise rent to cushion the fall that will inevitably come.

    With the demand that is there at the moment, i wouldnt imagine that it would go as severe as the last property crash. But, Brexit could yet be a disaster and cause a recession here again.

    Doubt it- most commentators are still predicting full employment in Ireland despite Brexit (this is an unemployment rate of 4.5%- which is a level at which no matter how many jobs there are out there- unemployment just doesn't fall below).

    As for will property slow down in the next few years- the writing is on the wall. Fairly conservative commentators are acknowleging the ESRI's suggestion of a 20% increase over the next 3 years- is plausible (and some are suggesting that at an average increase of between 6-7% per annum its 'sustainable')- yet, the simple fact of the matter is- who among us is going to get a 20% payrise over the next 3 years- never mind the next decade?

    Within the next decade- the number of retired or invalided in our population will double from 2014 levels- thats simply following the demographic trends. So- if the number of dependents in the population doubles, and wages don't keep pace with inflation (which is currently the case)- the pointer are all towards a crash- whether its sudden and stark- or gentle in nature- who knows- I know I'm not going to offer an opinion.

    We can defer some of this hurt a little- by constantly pushing out the retirement age- however, there is a point at which this is just no longer plausible (wholly aside from the fact that you have large numbers of people paying PRSI into what they consider to be a contributory pension- who are going to expect to able to retire at some stage).

    We have a world of hurt coming down the line- when it'll hit- is debateable- however, it is like a train coming down the tracks at us.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,613 ✭✭✭server down


    Doubt it- most commentators are still predicting full employment in Ireland despite Brexit (this is an unemployment rate of 4.5%- which is a level at which no matter how many jobs there are out there- unemployment just doesn't fall below).

    As for will property slow down in the next few years- the writing is on the wall. Fairly conservative commentators are acknowleging the ESRI's suggestion of a 20% increase over the next 3 years- is plausible (and some are suggesting that at an average increase of between 6-7% per annum its 'sustainable')- yet, the simple fact of the matter is- who among us is going to get a 20% payrise over the next 3 years- never mind the next decade?

    Within the next decade- the number of retired or invalided in our population will double from 2014 levels- thats simply following the demographic trends. So- if the number of dependents in the population doubles, and wages don't keep pace with inflation (which is currently the case)- the pointer are all towards a crash- whether its sudden and stark- or gentle in nature- who knows- I know I'm not going to offer an opinion.

    We can defer some of this hurt a little- by constantly pushing out the retirement age- however, there is a point at which this is just no longer plausible (wholly aside from the fact that you have large numbers of people paying PRSI into what they consider to be a contributory pension- who are going to expect to able to retire at some stage).

    We have a world of hurt coming down the line- when it'll hit- is debateable- however, it is like a train coming down the tracks at us.

    Doubling in 10 years? That would mean there’s as many people between 55+65 as there are 65+.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    Doubt it- most commentators are still predicting full employment in Ireland despite Brexit (this is an unemployment rate of 4.5%- which is a level at which no matter how many jobs there are out there- unemployment just doesn't fall below).

    As for will property slow down in the next few years- the writing is on the wall. Fairly conservative commentators are acknowleging the ESRI's suggestion of a 20% increase over the next 3 years- is plausible (and some are suggesting that at an average increase of between 6-7% per annum its 'sustainable')- yet, the simple fact of the matter is- who among us is going to get a 20% payrise over the next 3 years- never mind the next decade?

    Within the next decade- the number of retired or invalided in our population will double from 2014 levels- thats simply following the demographic trends. So- if the number of dependents in the population doubles, and wages don't keep pace with inflation (which is currently the case)- the pointer are all towards a crash- whether its sudden and stark- or gentle in nature- who knows- I know I'm not going to offer an opinion.

    We can defer some of this hurt a little- by constantly pushing out the retirement age- however, there is a point at which this is just no longer plausible (wholly aside from the fact that you have large numbers of people paying PRSI into what they consider to be a contributory pension- who are going to expect to able to retire at some stage).

    We have a world of hurt coming down the line- when it'll hit- is debateable- however, it is like a train coming down the tracks at us.

    I am not sure of a crash personally. We still have a relatively young workforce who are well educated and we still dont know how Brexit will pan out. I suspect we will see the prices in Dublin etc remaining high not rising dramatically and only those who can afford to buy in dublin will. With the pent up demand the urban sprawl is set to continue. I suspect Dublin prices will only show modest increase whereas outside Dublin (commuter areas) will see price increase.

    Those who in the past would have bought in Dublin and are priced out of the market so are forced out.

    Unless we change our repossession laws prices will not drop as banks need to ensure prices remain high enough to cover the outstanding mortgage. We still have very few repossessions for a normal functioning market and with our unique relationship with property banks wont be able to repossess to recover outstanding mortgages.


  • Registered Users Posts: 20,089 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    I think that some people responded to your post along the notion of want rather than need.

    Well, you are a professional, worked your way up to be where you are. Is what you "need" really applicable here??! Really?!!

    People who are working hard and smart can reasonably expect to have what they "want" not only what they "need".

    Where do we draw your imaginary line ? Should all professionals who work hard and smart reasonably expect a nice family house in Ballsbridge ?


  • Registered Users Posts: 18,584 ✭✭✭✭kippy


    My comments would not cover every person but they would account for the majority. There will always be extremes unique situations which yours would appear to be one.

    I note that another poster has questioned need v want. I would have to agree with them. You need a roof over your head, you want that roof to be in Dublin and you want it to be a two bedroom property.

    With a properly functioning market you would be allowed use your resources to compete for you want but because of State interference you are been denied the opportunity to compete for the two bed property on a level footing because the State is pricing you out of the market because of its subsidies it is giving to house others.
    Show me one country in the first world where the market determines the baselines without state interference.
    You are outlining one policy of the state but the state have multiple policies and methods of directly and indirectly effecting property and associated costs. This is the same in every country in the world.


  • Registered Users Posts: 285 ✭✭ArnieSilvia


    Cyrus wrote:
    Where do we draw your imaginary line ? Should all professionals who work hard and smart reasonably expect a nice family house in Ballsbridge ?


    My line is that I expect to live in a house that is better than the council house that are given out for free. Nothing wrong with the idea of council house (I even had one) but there must be reward for getting up in the morning.

    The policies and planning should support both council houses and nicer houses otherwise we would live in the world of 5-10% owning mansions and the rest living 3 generations in one 80sqm house. Wasn't it like that in Ireland before WW2?

    Unfortunately, the way I see the things going in Ireland is that middle is getting squeezed more and more making no real difference between being a professional and someone milking the system. For example, I see lots of professionals from my estate every day leaving 7am and back 7-9pm only to live a very modest life, with kids in creche (both parents working obviously), old car, no house upgrades, no fancy holidays.

    These professionals live in houses bought for 220k 3 years ago and these should cost LESS today, not more (due to less real disposable income as they report themselves including myself). Prices of property going up in these circumstances is a proof of what Keynes discovered ages ago - people don't make reasonable decisions.

    On the contrary, I could have still lived happily in my council house in the countryside, cashing 370 weekly, back to school allowance etc and having a nice social circle. I'm exploring this idea as we speak. This time I would be rent free though so even better.


  • Registered Users Posts: 17,773 ✭✭✭✭keane2097


    Cyrus wrote: »
    Where do we draw your imaginary line ? Should all professionals who work hard and smart reasonably expect a nice family house in Ballsbridge ?

    The fact that drawing a line somewhere takes a bit of thought does not mean we can't or shouldn't agree that something more than a roof and four walls is a reasonable thing for a hard working person to expect in an advanced, prosperous nation in the 21st century.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 20,089 ✭✭✭✭Cyrus


    keane2097 wrote: »
    The fact that drawing a line somewhere takes a bit of thought does not mean we can't or shouldn't agree that something more than a roof and four walls is a reasonable thing for a hard working person to expect in an advanced, prosperous nation in the 21st century.

    But it's perfectly achievable

    Just maybe not in the exact location people want


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    kippy wrote: »
    Show me one country in the first world where the market determines the baselines without state interference.
    You are outlining one policy of the state but the state have multiple policies and methods of directly and indirectly effecting property and associated costs. This is the same in every country in the world.

    The State has a responsibility for enforcing health and safety etc. It should not interfere with pricing or subsidizing rents.

    Demand exists for property. We have people who can afford to buy but cant afford to rent. They cant afford to rent simply because of the subsidies the State give some parts of society. With a functioning market supply would increase to meet demand. This is a basic concept of a functioning market. Why aren't more properties being built so.

    The UK have a similar housing issue to Ireland. They are now adopting a policy of housing benefit being capped at a given level. So you are given a set level if you want to live somewhere that the rent is higher you need to make up the difference.

    The UK also have a faster eviction process something which the Irish State refuses to embrace.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    My line is that I expect to live in a house that is better than the council house that are given out for free. Nothing wrong with the idea of council house (I even had one) but there must be reward for getting up in the morning.

    The policies and planning should support both council houses and nicer houses otherwise we would live in the world of 5-10% owning mansions and the rest living 3 generations in one 80sqm house. Wasn't it like that in Ireland before WW2?

    Unfortunately, the way I see the things going in Ireland is that middle is getting squeezed more and more making no real difference between being a professional and someone milking the system. For example, I see lots of professionals from my estate every day leaving 7am and back 7-9pm only to live a very modest life, with kids in creche (both parents working obviously), old car, no house upgrades, no fancy holidays.

    These professionals live in houses bought for 220k 3 years ago and these should cost LESS today, not more (due to less real disposable income as they report themselves including myself). Prices of property going up in these circumstances is a proof of what Keynes discovered ages ago - people don't make reasonable decisions.

    On the contrary, I could have still lived happily in my council house in the countryside, cashing 370 weekly, back to school allowance etc and having a nice social circle. I'm exploring this idea as we speak. This time I would be rent free though so even better.

    Completely agree. I see it myself every morning. People don't make reasonable decisions they make selfish ones!


  • Registered Users Posts: 29,445 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    Demand exists for property. We have people who can afford to buy but cant afford to rent. They cant afford to rent simply because of the subsidies the State give some parts of society. With a functioning market supply would increase to meet demand. This is a basic concept of a functioning market. Why aren't more properties being built so.


    ...and again, neoclassical theory is a bust, supply and demand curves are a myth, particularly in relation to housing. We really need to move on from this notion of 'market equilibrium', it doesn't exist, it never has.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    Wanderer78 wrote: »
    ...and again, neoclassical theory is a bust, supply and demand curves are a myth, particularly in relation to housing. We really need to move on from this notion of 'market equilibrium', it doesn't exist, it never has.

    What then do you suggest?


  • Registered Users Posts: 29,445 ✭✭✭✭Wanderer78


    What then do you suggest?

    this is a great question, the simply answer is, i dont know. i dont know where we go from here, but i do think we firstly have to admit, theres something fundamentally going wrong with our thinking regarding housing, and we re not alone. housing seems to be one of the most common problems in countries that have adapted the free market system. i do think theres now sufficient evidence that shows the standard model fails, and very badly at times to address our housing issues. its a very complex problem but as ive tried to explain, and probably badly, our current approach is harming many including landlords and tenents.

    i actually do find myself agreeing with some of what you have been saying throughout the thread, but i do think, we dont actually really know what to do next, that the issues that have been created from the standard model are now so complex, we re quickly running out of options in what to do next, but there are interesting ideas out there such as cooperative building, changing planning laws so that we start to build higher in urban areas, reducing building standards in order to help reduce building costs. i do think we need to change our thinking regarding housing, and the language we now use to describe it must change to, language such as 'the property ladder'. this is nonsense, people need homes not investments, but i will agree with you, investors such as landlords need to be protected as well as they take on massive risk. its a very complicated one, with no clear solutions, but it is disturbing to watch our housing/homeless situation develop.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    Wanderer78 wrote: »
    this is a great question, the simply answer is, i dont know. i dont know where we go from here, but i do think we firstly have to admit, theres something fundamentally going wrong with our thinking regarding housing, and we re not alone. housing seems to be one of the most common problems in countries that have adapted the free market system. i do think theres now sufficient evidence that shows the standard model fails, and very badly at times to address our housing issues. its a very complex problem but as ive tried to explain, and probably badly, our current approach is harming many including landlords and tenents.

    i actually do find myself agreeing with some of what you have been saying throughout the thread, but i do think, we dont actually really know what to do next, that the issues that have been created from the standard model are now so complex, we re quickly running out of options in what to do next, but there are interesting ideas out there such as cooperative building, changing planning laws so that we start to build higher in urban areas, reducing building standards in order to help reduce building costs. i do think we need to change our thinking regarding housing, and the language we now use to describe it must change to, language such as 'the property ladder'. this is nonsense, people need homes not investments, but i will agree with you, investors such as landlords need to be protected as well as they take on massive risk. its a very complicated one, with no clear solutions, but it is disturbing to watch our housing/homeless situation develop.

    The housing issue is a consequence of deeper societal issues.People have to take some responsibility for themselves. I don't agree with people turning 18 and going on the housing list. Try to support yourself and if you reach your mid 30s and can't then go on the list at that point.

    Property can be seen as an investment that could give steady returns for the Landlord as well as security of long tenure for tenants. But with our particular relationship with property going back to the tenements of the early 20th century the simple mention of the word landlord brings about scorn and contempt. Remember the State is a landlord as well. The rental market works in other EU countries much better than it does here.

    You only have to look at the REITS, they in the main are pension funds looking for steady returns.

    The market does not fail when properly regulated for all concerned. People are unwilling to take responsibility for themselves. Council estates have bad reputations because of a handful of individuals who ruin areas for the majority of decent hardworking people. But yet the State has a responsibility to house everybody no matter what they do. People should be held accountable.

    A recent post (which I agreed with) highlights how the middle classed are being squeezed and the poster is considering giving up work specifically because those who don't work have a better standard of living. So rather than encouraging people to contribute to society the system is encouraging people not too so they can be better off.

    If we all adopted that approach then where would we be.

    My personal reason for becoming a landlord was so I would have an income when I retired so I would not be a burden on the State but yet I get punished for it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    this is shocking, these people are cheating the system and inflating "homeless" figures and in turn then, this propaganda is being pushed onto us as if we have 1 million living on the streets when the reality is, its about 200, of which most are in Dublin due to no other reason apart from addiction issues.

    The councilor who made the comment was Jimmy Guerin


  • Registered Users Posts: 328 ✭✭scouserstation


    The housing issue is a consequence of deeper societal issues.People have to take some responsibility for themselves. I don't agree with people turning 18 and going on the housing list. Try to support yourself and if you reach your mid 30s and can't then go on the list at that point.

    Property can be seen as an investment that could give steady returns for the Landlord as well as security of long tenure for tenants. But with our particular relationship with property going back to the tenements of the early 20th century the simple mention of the word landlord brings about scorn and contempt. Remember the State is a landlord as well. The rental market works in other EU countries much better than it does here.

    You only have to look at the REITS, they in the main are pension funds looking for steady returns.

    The market does not fail when properly regulated for all concerned. People are unwilling to take responsibility for themselves. Council estates have bad reputations because of a handful of individuals who ruin areas for the majority of decent hardworking people. But yet the State has a responsibility to house everybody no matter what they do. People should be held accountable.

    A recent post (which I agreed with) highlights how the middle classed are being squeezed and the poster is considering giving up work specifically because those who don't work have a better standard of living. So rather than encouraging people to contribute to society the system is encouraging people not too so they can be better off.

    If we all adopted that approach then where would we be.

    My personal reason for becoming a landlord was so I would have an income when I retired so I would not be a burden on the State but yet I get punished for it.

    Completely agree with this, if those families who constantly engage in anti social and criminal behaviour were threatened with homelessness this could change their attitude, i would imagine getting your house taken from you would be a bigger deterrent than prison for some of these people.

    We currently have a system where you can live for free off the state in a nice house of your choosing and never work a day in your life, yet people who are getting up early in the morning and working hard for a living have to struggle to pay rent or to save for a deposit to buy a basic sized house. Is it any wonder people are considering the option of just not bothering to get a job.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,262 ✭✭✭The Student


    Wanderer78 wrote: »
    this is a great question, the simply answer is, i dont know. i dont know where we go from here, but i do think we firstly have to admit, theres something fundamentally going wrong with our thinking regarding housing, and we re not alone. housing seems to be one of the most common problems in countries that have adapted the free market system. i do think theres now sufficient evidence that shows the standard model fails, and very badly at times to address our housing issues. its a very complex problem but as ive tried to explain, and probably badly, our current approach is harming many including landlords and tenents.

    i actually do find myself agreeing with some of what you have been saying throughout the thread, but i do think, we dont actually really know what to do next, that the issues that have been created from the standard model are now so complex, we re quickly running out of options in what to do next, but there are interesting ideas out there such as cooperative building, changing planning laws so that we start to build higher in urban areas, reducing building standards in order to help reduce building costs. i do think we need to change our thinking regarding housing, and the language we now use to describe it must change to, language such as 'the property ladder'. this is nonsense, people need homes not investments, but i will agree with you, investors such as landlords need to be protected as well as they take on massive risk. its a very complicated one, with no clear solutions, but it is disturbing to watch our housing/homeless situation develop.

    I seen this from another tread and had to share it

    https://m.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/the-right-moves-has-the-government-learned-nothing-from-the-disastrous-crash-36344429.html


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