RE: Farmers protest tomorrow and the Guardian newspaper...19 Nov 2024 09:42
Lok..
"You're on here whining about the new taxes hitting 'predominantly no Labour voters'.
Hardly whining,, just a statement of the current facts.
Though I have to admit that some of my income was derived from letting out a number of houses.
They were bought at auction in need of total renovation.
On completion I rented out to people on benefits at a discount of approximately 10/15% of the lowest rents for similar properties. When tenants left I always redecorated throughout and always ensured that the properties were of in a condition that looked as though the new tenants were the first to use them.
Two properties suffered severe damage and non payment of rents, one cost me just under £15,000 in one year (approximately 3 years rent equivalent) and another cost me over £8,000. (two years rent equivalent) One property was left in more than an appalling state, the tenant had two dogs that she used the lounge as a kennel, removed the fitted carpets and then left the dogs alone in the house with dog faeces in every single room (She had a infant in a cot at the property and worked in a kitchen in an old peoples home) I had to use a specialist cleaning company used by the police to clean up after violent crimes.
I did sell all the houses with the exception of one, the tenants are very nice couple, the wife has in the last year suffered from a cancer, the husband is ex forces and had a leg removed. They moved in 12 years ago and the rent has remained the same since they moved in and it was offered to them at a low rent even then.
I recently offered to sell them the property at a 20% discount to the current valuation proposed by the lowest of two prices produced by two surveyors. If they can't justify this then they can continue to rent. They are currently paying approximately 50% of rents for similar properties.
How much do you distribute to charities. My wife and I recently bought a defibrilator for a local community, my wife read a few years ago about a young lad who had had some money stolen that had been donated towards costs for a medical trip to the states and she anonymously paid for the lost money.
I have benefited, but not greatly as you assume, my wife and I received the winter fuel allowance and we added that to the amounts we gave away each year.
Oh and I also rent out small commercial units, again to nice people, I am being forced by recent legislation and the additional tax that I will now pay to consider increasing the rents for the first time since 2008.
I have agricultural land that I rent out to a local farmer (small family farm, husband, wife, daughter and small grandchild) the rent for the land has also been the same for the last 8 years since I bought the land from another local farmer who needed to clear part of a substantial overdraft that he couldn't afford the interest on.
I am indeed one of the hated asset rich, relatively cash poor that your communist left wing government so dislikes