Ghost houses

Correspondent Geoff Prickett ( NZ Herald, April 7) rightly praises the present Government’s “gumption” in making some overdue changes to “restore sanity and fairness” to the housing market. In answer to his question “now, what next?”, how about a long-overdue empty dwelling tax?

The number of homes owned by overseas speculators, who are content to reap the untaxed capital gains they’re earning, without the hassle of renting, is not insignificant. There are ample overseas examples where this tax has been successfully introduced to free up housing for local inhabitants or generate significant tax revenue if the owners decide to continue ownership.

Doug Hannan, Mt Maunganui.