Leaving the party politics to one side, theoretically, it may not only be possible but actually possible, to achieve that in terms of the increase in home ownership during the lifetime of one Parliament, given that the personal property boom has receded and the rental markup has declined. Swings and roundabouts, ebbs and flows. Capitalism, the market, is the big player at the moment, and governments only attempt to moderate or influence at the edges of the extremities.
Maybe you should think about dumping your sleazy slum landlord activities and become a human being again. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
On the the other hand, of course, there may well be a need for the next wave of IT guru(s).
But, again, you might just be able to go sailing.
What is the honorable option?
<ul type="square"> mercilessly hound the poor for their rent?
use your IT skills and help people accommodate the next wave of technology?
or say "AFI, I'm off"? [/list]
It maybe late or I've had an extra beer or 2 ? but I'm not really sure what your saying?
Sleazy slum landords? (I'll not go into the IT comment, leave Stingo for that one!)
In my life time I have seen the demise of the slum landlord in exchange for the council estates that occupy large territories of the UK. They gave been subject to a right to buy since the late 70's.
The legislation today prevents the tyranical landlords of the past from subjecting fanilies to squaller and extortion and many many people have become home owners and realised capital that they otherwise would not.
I just wasn't sure of your direction with the post? I just happened to have been brought up at time when many people appreciated the availablity of houses through the Council arrangements and hopefully many of them have now got some kind of security or pension as a result of the right to buy.
My eyes may be older than yours - either that, or I never listened to my mother's good advice. I didn't notice a reference to council houses. Personally, I strongly support social housing and would prefer that there was a proper, permanent, and properly managed, pool available. I'd pay more tax for that!
Anyway, I didn't allude to social housing, but rather to the traditional slum landlord area that a valued Forumite apparently aspires to. In my usual helpful way, I just thought it was about time he had a shave, cleaned his armpits, and tried to get a proper job again.
Watch out - it is Labours answer to the pension crisis.
Buy a house in your 20s, by the time you are 70 (because that will be the retirement age by then) what do you need a pension for? The government will release the equity in your house for you to see out your last few years and then take the house when you die to sell to the next 20 year old!
It will also ensure that you work all your life to pay the mortgage and pay tax to keep the benefit going for the unfortunate drug addicts, work shy and bone idle.