LETTERS
Time for courage
Sir: It is 30 years since I was responsible for Housing Policy within the Conservative Research Department, yet looking back across the political landscape I see familiar eyesores which should have been bulldozed long ago.
The most familiar is rent control, which has distorted the housing market and dis- rupted the social fabric of the country since 1915. In spite of tinkering at the fringes, in substance it remains a monument to politi- cal cowardice.
Now the Government is strapped for cash, confronted by a constipated housing market and growing unpopularity as the tide of repossessions sweeps on, destroying the dreams of its supporters who voted for a property-owning democracy.
The time for political courage has surely arrived. Rent control should be abolished, completely, unequivocally with no 'ifs' or 'buts'. Security of tenure should last only for the period for which rent is paid — weekly or monthly. No measure would do more to create responsible landlords and tenants, to unblock the housing market and restore the tarnished reputation of the Government.
One of the main political objections to the abolition of rent control has been the thought that political opponents would frighten off potential landlords by threaten- ing to restore it. A further step is needed. Make rents from property where the owner also resides — except for purpose-built flats — tax-free.
The Treasury would doubtless object to the 'loss' of tax revenue, but that would be more than counterbalanced in fiscal terms by reductions in payment of Income Sup- port as owners discovered a new source of income, in general economic terms by a widespread increase in spending power, in social terms by a diminution in the number of repossessions and in ecological terms by a reduction in the pressure on land for housing. As ever there is no absolute short- age of housing — only under-utilisation.
Here is a housing policy that would be widely popular, cost-effective, making a sig- nificant contribution to beating the reces- sion. Will ministers have the courage to take it up?
Russell Hanson
17 Dudley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
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