So how would you feel if you had spent all your life working to pay off your mortgage, watched your kids fly the nest, and then been told my some idiot that you are a selfish bastard who should downsize because you have more space than you need and other people need it instead?
Personally, I'd tell them to sod off!...
A study has been carried out by a bunch of do-gooder freeloaders called the 'Intergenerational Foundation' that suggests that there should be tax incentives - such as exemption from stamp duty for over 60s - to persuade people to downsize.
Their argument is that half of all properties owned by single pensioners have three spare bedrooms or more at a time when young families are struggling to find affordable housing. They argue that encouraging older people to downsize will free up space for bigger households and help younger people struggling to get on the housing ladder.
Well, this is bollocks if you think about it. So I sell off my five bedroom pile and move into a one bedroomed flat. This releases the bigger house for people to move up the ladder creating space at the bottom. Er....well, no actually.
What happens is that I have now occupied precisely the sort of property that first time buyers have been struggling to buy. Not only that, but I have stimulated demand at the lower end of the property market which pushes up prices and means that first time buyers are even less likely to be able to buy a home.
Cutting through the bullshit, what these twats are really saying is that we should sell up, buy something cheaper and give the money to our kids so they can buy a place of their own. I'd have more respect for these people if they actually just came out and said that in the first place.
Anyway, it ain't going to happen round here! My kids can have all my money just as soon as I am dead and good luck to them, but in the meantime I will enjoy the fruits of my hard earned labour and live just as I choose.
And the people at the bottom of the ladder can do what I had to do - work hard, save up for a deposit and get a mortgage...
9 comments:
I think "Sod Off!" is a trifle mild.
When I moved to France I turned a 5 bedroom villa into a 2 bedroom one. Now we have one room for guests with all facilities and acres of lovely space for living in.
So if the 'Intergenerational Foundation' have a French branch they can't complain about me. I've only got 2 bedrooms.
So my considered answer to the 'Intergenerational Foundation' would be "stick your heads up your arses and whistle Barcelona".
I only have 2 bedrooms too George .. neither of which is "spare" .. I sleep in one, whilst t'other is used as my Library/Painting Studio/Computer Room ..
And when I snuff it, the house will become the property of my two kids, to do with as they see fit ..
So my reponse to the "Intergenerational foundation" is .. "Chew my starboard testicle" ..
I confess to having a three bedroom house, two of which I never use because all the people I know think I'm a cunt and nobody wants to visit me! You two of course are always welcome - provided you bring a bottle!
I detest bungalows - and they have a bigger footprint anyway - but if someone could tell me how to get a big downstairs without empty bedrooms upstairs, I'd definitely be interested.
Anyway, conspicuous waste of space is a sign of affluance, and I'm definitely full of that (or should that be effluence?..)
This is what I did Dioclese. Turned the "upstairs" into the main living area with open-plan living-room and kitchen, study and main bedroom with en-suite (English term for bog and bath).
Downstairs is similar. Both have their own entrances.
If needs be we can turn the place into two apartments.
I would take you up on your offer and bring a bottle but me and the missus have decided to give it a rest for a couple of days as we have been caning it recently.
We are off to our French class tonight as last night we had our London language top-up with friends watching Ray Whinstone in Sexy Beast.
Leave it out.
So basically, George, you've got two flats and are therefore a totally selfish old bastard!
You got it in one. Luvely!
...and it it helps most people think I'm a cunt as well.
Surely George, that should be .. "Leave it ahhhht, slaaaaaag" ? ... ;)
PS .. Ta muchly for the invite Dio ..
Hey Dioclese,
Here's something you might like to investigate.
I have just discovered that I belong to an un-represented minority. Well it's a sort of minority that turns a bit maxi after a while. Baldness.
1 in 4 men are bald by 30 and 66% at 60.
Now look at all the morons on the TV and in the Houses of Parliament. No wonder they're all useless. Non, or very few, of them are bald.
I'm thinking of starting a "list" Glad to be Bald.
That's funny.
I think "Sod Off" as well! If you have earned it it's your right to stay where ever the hell you want to.
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