In the area of vacancy tax – a kind of “tax” on unused apartments and houses – the Tyrolean governor Günther Platter has leaned out the window a few times in recent weeks. 2400 euros per year for an unused penthouse that costs 1.8 million euros is far too little for him.
“If we want to make this a real control element, then the compensation must be increased significantly,” Günther Platter told the “Krone”. A practical example: for a 1.8 million euro penthouse with 160 square meters in Innsbruck, a vacancy compensation of 2,400 euros has to be paid. “These are more ‘peanuts’ that will not stop anyone from leaving the building empty,” the governor is convinced. Platter can’t understand why the Austrian Homeowners Association spoke of an “emergence of the middle class” in view of this ridiculous charge.
“Creating property remains the pinnacle of freedom”
But how do the vacancy tax and the ÖVP, the party that always sees and presents itself as a party of real estate, fit together? Isn’t that a contradiction, Herr Platter? “No! Creating property is and remains the pinnacle of freedom and achievement for the People’s Party,” Platter insists to the “Krone,” “but we do not represent those who hoard and speculate on property, but support those who want to create property for their own housing needs!” He refers to the “ineffable condition” of new construction projects, in which numerous apartments are bought together, but then deliberately remain unused: “It is a pure capital investment!”
With a vacancy tax, however, one does not want to punish those who buy an extra apartment for their children. “That’s more than commendable if you’re investing in the next generation or buying an apartment for the kid who’s going to college,” clarifies Platter, referring to vacancy tax exceptions — such as for apartments in your own home, with timely personal use, or if you cannot find a tenant. Rather, the aim is to hit investors and speculators with the levy: “We are concerned about speculative vacancy and people unfairly enriching themselves with basic housing needs.”
Bal is now with the responsible minister
And that is why the vacancy rate urgently needs to be increased. But that’s a federal issue. At the initiative of Platter, a corresponding application has already been submitted from all state governors to the responsible minister, Karoline Edtstadler The ball is now in her hands!
Source: Krone
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