Sir, – In "Calls for sanction on landlords stockpiling vacant properties" (May 24th), Fiona Gartland reports that Focus Ireland rejects the suggestion that landlords need incentives to renovate vacant houses. But with approximately 200,000 empty properties in the country, is this a shortsighted ideological position rather than practical one to resolve our housing crisis?
We are all aware of the many empty houses along our streets, and each may have its own story – the owner moving to a nursing home, or a recent death. There is a cost to renovating and maintaining such a property and significant tax implications.
Clearly, many deem the potential financial reward is not sufficient for the effort involved in renting out a property. – Yours, etc,
FRANK BROWNE,
Templeogue,
Dublin 16.