As regards housing benefit etc, currently we have the situation where the taxpayer shovels cash into private landlord’s pockets, very often for some substandard housing, we not only give those on benefits a roof over their heads, but also pay the mortgage for a private landlord, still a free house. At least with council funded rented accommodation, the council still owns the house that they pay for.

There is much truth in what you say and it is not a situation that I am really happy about…

…but if I had to decide between a private landlord getting the ‘free house’ (although not completely ‘free’) and somebody who is on benefits for twenty-five years getting the ‘free house’ (and I know you are not suggesting that) I’ll go for the private landlord!

The answer would seem to be more council housing…..but, where do you draw the line?

There must be a finite limit to the number of council houses that the government can afford to own (buy or build) and maintain! The private landlord may end-up with the ‘free house’ but for that he must find a deposit, pay stamp duty, cover legal costs, cover insurance, maintenance and damage, pay agent fees (or not) and handle any disputes with tenants.