Pretty Vacant: Why Tessa Jowell’s plan to tax empty homes is doomed to fail

Should we be applying punitive taxes to empty homes?
Rather than complaining and propagating the confiscation of empty homes, commentators should be applying their energies to making the planning process efficient, less political and more productive, says…
By Prime Resi
Treasury targets holiday let tax dodgers
The Treasury is launching a new campaign to chase up landlords - including those with holiday lets - who don't pay every penny of tax due on rents they receive.
HMRC estimates that up to 1.
By Prime Resi
Additional homes surcharge delivers £1,190m SDLT ‘windfall’
Number of levy-liable properties rises despite the additional 3% tax
By Prime Resi
Most read
Interview: New UK Sotheby’s International Realty MD Alex Isidro on what’s next for the luxury brokerage
PrimeResi quizzes the high-profile real estate agency's recently-appointed boss about bumper sales figures, brand-building, and why this business is 'all about people, not property'.
£22mn penthouse sold in £50mn deal spree at top-end Kensington scheme
Lodha confirms launch date for next sales phase at Holland Park Gate following another run of big-ticket transactions.
‘Landmark’ townhouse sale concluded in Chelsea
'Discerning buyers are focusing on best-in-class assets', says agency, confirming sale of near-£28mn trophy home as part of £100mn deal run.
Government proposes the ‘biggest shakeup to the homebuying system in this country’s history’
Consultations have opened into significant & wide-ranging reforms that promise to 'rewire a chaotic system which has become a barrier to homeownership.'
By PrimeResi
Country house guru Sweeting joins high-end valuation firm
Longstanding Knight Frank figure has taken up a consultant role at James Wyatt's Parthenia.
London Square gears up to launch sales at landmark heritage conversion project
Ambitious transformation of former Surrey County Council HQ is to deliver 264 new homes, with completion set for 2027.
Seven key themes in the global branded residences sector
From standalone towers to wellness-led living, these are the big trends shaping luxury branded residences worldwide.
Influential committee calls for ‘major reform of the whole property tax system’
'The case for major reform of the whole property tax system – from Stamp Duty Land Tax to Inheritance Tax to Council Tax and VAT – is almost unarguable,' says Sir Vince Cable.
By PrimeResi
Unseasonably slow September for London’s top-end property markets
Fresh analysis reveals the impact of pre-Budget jitters on the capital's high-value sales and lettings sectors.
Luxury developer Amara Property adds Sales & Acquisitions Director
Warren Leader has joined Rutu Buddhdev's team.
By PrimeResi
LATEST ARTICLES
Sotheby’s International Realty debuts in Abu Dhabi; closes record-breaking penthouse deal
George Azar’s expansion drive continues as luxury brand targets 'one of the world’s most exciting real estate markets'.
Property industry reactions: Tories pledge to ‘abolish’ Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty is 'a bad tax, an un-Conservative tax', says Kemi Badenoch.
By PrimeResi
Blue Book partners with French heritage property agency
Specialist agency announces first international tie-up, creating 'a joint Anglo-French platform for historically & architecturally significant property.'
By PrimeResi
Beyond interior design: St George MD on rethinking the role of the showhome
Marcus Blake talks us through the Berkeley Group developer's new creative direction, and shows off its first completed in-house design effort.
By Marcus Blake
In Pictures: 180-year-old St John’s Wood villa seeking £16.95mn
Agency lists rare 'generational' home on Cavendish Avenue, one of NW London's top resi addresses.