It doesn't say there isn't a problem with entire properties being left empty, but it's not a problem which is getting worse - in fact, it seems clear it is getting better.
There is another problem which this chart does not show, that too many properties are being underused; I should know - as an empty nester, I'm living in one of them. This is just part of a general problem of increasing inequality within this country; if people can afford not to rent out spare bedrooms, they will very often put their convenience ahead of helping other people find somewhere to live. In terms of numbers, the villains of the piece are more likely to be those of my generation who lucked out in the property market, but there will be more convenient villains among the super rich who keep a little pad in Chelsea for when they are in town, maybe offering keys to friends and family, but not going to the trouble of letting commercially, so not hitting official DCLG stats.
But one group you can't really fault on the basis of these numbers from the DCLG are commercial letting agents - in fact, from the number of flyers coming through my door telling me about how much I could make from letting, they are clearly doing their bit. I hear lots of bad things about how letting agents behave, so I'm not really sure if I want to deal with them, but maybe they're not all so bad, and it's people like me who should be blamed, rather than them. It's one of the reasons I'd welcome the idea of a
Municipalism good, localism badLondon wide municipally owned letting service, expanding on what is being pioneered in LB Newham, to enable the private rented sector provide decent accommodation
There is a lot of space which could come to market if the reputation of all involved in the private rental sector (PRS) were raised - landlords, tenants and agents. I'd like to say it was a clear case for a proper look at how the PRS market worked, except that it is all too easy seeing initiatives becoming opportunities to demonise landlords and their agents, and shed crocodile tears for the tenants, delivering only short term solutions.
Rent controls - what could possibly go wrong?
How have I got this far without mentioning supply? I feel compromised, allowing the discussion, as to often, to miss the main issue:
How to Evade the Housing Crisis: A Guide for 2016 London Mayoral Candidateswhen ... Dianne Abbott, came to speak at a public meeting organised by my local Labour Party, her title was “How Can we Solve the London Housing Crisis?” But the discussion then, reflecting the London-wide and national comment, failed to focus on …
What actually matters
…which is the supply of housing.
It doesn't really help to demonise anyone, but among those clearly to be blamed are those responsible for developments such as this
who are to be found not just in Raynes Park, but even in our own back yard
Statement of community involvement