[antiterra]

The evidence is all circumstantial because it’s difficult to definitively prove someone owns a property with absolutely no intent to live in it or rent it.

Further, the properties held purely as assets are generally very expensive ones. The effect ripples down, well heeled people move into cheaper housing and those people moving in turn.

This is nearly 8 years old, but generally describes the issue with some specifics:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/31/inside-londo...

[anchpop]

> The evidence is all circumstantial because it’s difficult to definitively prove someone owns a property with absolutely no intent to live in it or rent it.

Vacancy rates are extremely low. That puts an upper limit on the amount of people that could be doing that. Is it not easy to tell if a home is vacant?

[TeMPOraL]

How are vacancy rates calculated? I have a feeling it's a statistic that doesn't correspond to reality well.

[antiterra]

I’m pretty sure vacancy rates pertain to available rentals not owned property that is off the market.