A London think tank proposes major changes to the way housing is financed in the capital, arguing they could help address the housing crisis. The Centre for London report recommends scrapping stamp duty—paid when buying a property—and council tax. In its place, the think tank suggests introducing an annual property wealth tax. The report says such a levy on property wealth would encourage households to downsize, potentially freeing up homes. It also argues the new tax could generate revenue to fund social housing. In addition, the report contends that removing stamp duty would reduce upfront costs for buyers and help renters save for a deposit, potentially improving access to home ownership. Both outlets describe the proposal as a package aimed at increasing housing supply and improving affordability, with the replacement tax intended both to change household behavior (by making it more costly to hold property wealth without using it) and to provide funding for social housing. The proposals are presented as policy options from the think tank rather than immediate government action.
Think tank urges scrapping stamp duty and council tax for a property wealth tax
A London think tank proposes major changes to the way housing is financed in the capital, arguing they could help address the housing crisis. The Centre for London report recommends scrapping stamp du...
- The Centre for London proposes scrapping stamp duty and council tax.
- It recommends replacing them with an annual property wealth tax.
- The report says the change would encourage downsizing and could free up homes.
- It argues the new tax could raise money for social housing.
- It also says removing stamp duty would help renters save for deposits.
The Centre for London said replacing the two with an annual property wealth tax could help renters to save and encourage downsizing
3 months agoCentre for London report finds levy on property wealth would free up homes, fund social housing and help renters save for depositsStamp duty should be scrapped and replaced with a new property wealth tax to fix London’s housing crisis, a leading thinktank has proposed.A report on the capital’s property market suggests an annual tax to replace the levy paid when buying a property and council tax would encourage downsizing and raise funds for social housing. It would also help renters to save a house deposit. Continue reading...
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