Why? Because apparently they need some more incentive to keep units occupied. Also, even though a property might be vacant, there’s still imputed rental income there. Its owner is just receiving it in the form of enjoying the unit for himself instead of receiving an actual rent check from a tenant. That imputed rent ought to be taxed like any other income.

  • Whirlybird
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    11 months ago

    What “core buildings”? Converting an office block to residential wouldn’t be financially viable, you’d be better off knocking it down and starting again. Most commercial buildings have one set of toilets per floor, for example. That’s not going to work with say 8 apartments per floor.

    Also if you’re making them into low cost housing, good luck getting that commercial space filled.

    • vivadanang@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      spoken like a real landlord expecting the populus to do what you want just because you want it.

      that entire concept is about to fail spectacularly.

      you’re wrong, btw, it’s not infeasible. it’s not easy, but you just made up your mind already and started pushing bullshit. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/analysis-heres-what-it-would-take-to-turn-empty-office-buildings-into-residential-housing

      https://www.npr.org/2023/07/24/1189403058/downtown-real-estate-housing-offices

      • Whirlybird
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        11 months ago

        What did I say that’s “like a real landlord” exactly? That converting business offices into homes is almost prohibitively expensive and not worth it and you’re better off just knocking the building down and starting again? Landlords say that?

        • vivadanang@lemm.ee
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          11 months ago

          What did I say that’s “like a real landlord” exactly?

          can’t be done, not going to work, doesn’t even bother reading the links that show it can be done, it can work, it’s just not as profitable as office space.

          but if the office space workers don’t come back, you’re left where we are today, empty fucking buildings and loads of unhoused people.

          DO THE GODDAMNED MATH, and if you’re gonna make assertions, back them up with citations otherwise I’m dubious about your premise.

          • Whirlybird
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            11 months ago

            I didn’t say it can’t be done, I said it’s prohibitively expensive. It’s like saying you can repurpose a library into a set of apartments. Sure, you could, but it would be cheaper and easier to knock it down and build residential buildings.

            Also like I said, if the goal is for it to be low income affordable housing then you’re going to struggle to get retailers to lease storefronts there, as the low socioeconomic population doesn’t make it feasible other than for like fast food places and $2 stores.

            • vivadanang@lemm.ee
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              11 months ago

              so your unrealistic goal is hold tight to a bunch of empty space while people need housing.

              spoken like a true land lard.

              • Whirlybird
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                11 months ago

                My unrealistic goal? 😂 I don’t care what they do, I’m just pointing out that converting them is a dumb and prohibitively expensive idea. I don’t know how many times I need to say it - if you want to make them residential, knock it down and make residential. It will be much cheaper while also being better housing.

                How many “unhoused” people have you offered to live with you btw?

                • vivadanang@lemm.ee
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                  11 months ago

                  dumb and prohibitively expensive idea

                  compared to letting it sit empty and unused? think for moment, fucking use your goddamn brain grapes and think.

                  knock it down and rebuild entirely new buildings? jesus man, you just don’t give a fuck about people. I let all the unhoused people live with me, your mom keeps me warm at night. Cute question!

                  • Whirlybird
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                    11 months ago

                    Yes, it’s more expensive than sitting there unused lol. It sitting there unused costs nothing. It being retrofitted into some dodgy no bathroom or toilet apartments costs money.

                    Why are you so angry and aggressive?