More than 13K rent-stabilized units in NYC are sitting empty for multiple years, report finds
gothamist.com
A city Independent Budget Office report examines vacancy data from the state’s housing agency amid concerns of "warehousing."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.crimedad.work/post/12162

Why? Because apparently they need some more incentive to keep units occupied. Also, even though a property might be vacant, there’s still imputed rental income there. Its owner is just receiving it in the form of enjoying the unit for himself instead of receiving an actual rent check from a tenant. That imputed rent ought to be taxed like any other income.

  • flipht@kbin.social
    1·
    1 year ago

    Income tax can only tax income.

    As others have said - land value / property tax is supposed to take care of this. You could also add a specific vacancy tax.

    • Double_A@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      In Switzerland real estate generates a virtual rent that you need to pay income taxes on.

      E.g. even if you buy a house for yourself, the money that you save by not having to pay rent is calculated as extra income.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      0·
      1 year ago

      I disagree with a specific vacancy tax. If that’s truly an issue, we should increase the property tax. Property tax it already due regardless.

      • Dudewitbow@lemmy.mlEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        A property tax would just pushed onto renters like mortgages already do. A vacancy tax would not have a renter to push onto.