By Pepper Parr
November 1, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional government wants to know what you think about the idea of a potential vacant homes tax
The survey for feedback will be in place until the end of November.
Link to the survey is HERE
If you have any questions or require this survey in an alternate format, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311, 905-825-6000, toll-free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9833.
Regional Council directed staff to develop a proposed framework for a potential tax on vacant homes as a way to encourage owners to sell or rent out unoccupied homes, helping to increase the number of homes available in Halton.
“Finding a home can be challenging for individuals and families who want to live in our growing community,” said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. “One way we’re addressing this issue is by studying how a vacant homes tax could help increase housing supply. If you currently own or rent a home in Halton, or if you hope to do so one day, I encourage you to take our survey or attend a virtual public meeting to tell us what you think.”
A potential vacant homes tax would only affect unoccupied homes in Halton, and the cost would be based on a percentage of the home’s current value assessment (CVA). This type of tax is commonly implemented in communities with high housing prices and a low supply of homes for sale or rent.
There will be Zoom meetings on the following dates where people can learn more.
• Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.mZoom link data:
-
- November 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join session via Zoom (external link) | Meeting ID: 967 2338 5130 - November 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join session via Zoom (external link) | Meeting ID: 974 0458 8694
- November 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The community input will help inform key features of a potential vacant homes tax, such as how long a home must be vacant before it is taxed, the level of taxation, how to identify vacant homes and exemptions, as well as the overall level of public support. The Region is conducting this study in partnership with the City of Burlington and the Towns of Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
Well, the other shoe finally dropped…related article in FP.
https://tinyurl.com/bdhyr35t
Full link below, if shortened one doesn’t work.
If you can’t raise taxes, invent new ones. You just can’t make this up….
“The Regional government wants to know…”
I don’t believe they really want to know, but they want to say they “asked” and had “public consultation”.
The big trouble is the questionnaire boxes the person in so that certain conclusions can be drawn. Biggest thing is the term “vacant” is not defined. So even the snowbirds going south for the winter say 3 or 5 months a year will have to pay the tax. Where it did ask about how long something should be allowed to be “vacant” the only option to answer is one of the time durations. From that question alone it could be said that all respondents are in favour of some form of vacancy tax. To myself it looks as if it was constructed with some form of outcome bias.
“…families who want to live in our growing community,…”
It is growing because there is new housing being added all the time. And is available for rent or for sale. That is filling up. I was in Milton recently, it is growing very fast. North Oakville and what is left of Burlington.
Prices? This is a free market and should remain so. But if forced, people going away for the winter will put it up for rent, at crazy high rates. So now the next step is the government will be setting the acceptable price range. Sounds reasonable that the sale or rental price must meet the socialist governments approval, yes? Well not to me, and that will be the next step. Suppose they don’t move out when their time is up. Where does the owner live then while it takes so long to evict a tenant, even when the rent has not been paid.
It is not governments place to do this with so little of a provocation. At least Vancouver had a very real and sizable, out of town investment problem. International people were just parking money there for various reasons. Halton, this just a money grab (and a vote grab)?
Was this kept under wraps until after the election?
This seems like something the municipalities would have to enact, but would then funnel some of the cash to the Region?
Private tree bylaw is paving the way for a private home bylaw. How about a private car bylaw for people who own more than one vehicle? Large driveways reduce the amount of greenspace on a lot. Should double driveways be likewise taxed? Or anonymous online reporting, so neighbours can report on each other?
Empty commercial space also could be taxed in such a manner. So much is sitting empty now. Tax it and the rates will have to be lower or sold off cheaper just to unload it.
How about if a person wants to sell a business even. It should be regulated (taxed) so that it will be more affordable for the purchaser?
Even without a two year recession (yes my opinion, so far) waiting in the wings and house prices expected to drop significantly during that time; I can see no good coming from this.
https://financialpost.com/opinion/peter-shawn-taylor-ottawa-marxism-canada-rental-housing-crisis?_gl=1*1rdcda2*_ga*MTMxMTc4MDg1OS4xNjI2MzA3Mzg3*_ga_72QH41ZTMR*MTY2ODAxMzQwMy43Ny4wLjE2NjgwMTM0MDcuNTYuMC4w&_ga=2.71019088.1565686868.1668013403-1311780859.1626307387
Nothing new. All level of government know how to ta-ta-and more taxes.
the more money is taken from the consumer ,the less for business.
What about vacant condos? What about homes so large they can house many families?
My House …………none of your business