[Dibby053]

There is a significant number of empty houses in Ibiza because people and especially large landowners don't want to rent them because if the tenants can't pay and refuse to leave it can be hard to kick them out. Lack of renting options drives the property prices up, so there is no pressure to sell, and makes renting even more risky. It's a vicious cycle.

[mahatofu]

At the very least, Spain taxes a house for being empty and that revenue is recycled into free healthcare.

[yuppiepuppie]

Source on this? Been living in Spain for 8 years now, and my wifes family have a number of empty of apartments here. AFAIK, they do not pay tax on any of them for being empty.

IMO that is one of things they can do to address the housing issue we have but I have seen no mention of this policy anywhere.

[tasuki]

> my wifes family have a number of empty of apartments

Why? Is it just seen as a good investment?

[yuppiepuppie]

My wife grandfather bought them as an investment and after he died, the grandmother inherited them. She couldn’t care less about them as investments, but I guess my in laws are waiting to inherit them and then sell them off.

[nonethewiser]

> At the very least, Spain taxes a house for being empty and that revenue is recycled into free healthcare

You described the healthcare as free in the exact same sentence where you identified who pays for it.

I think socialized healthcare is the correct term.

[kristiandupont]

This pedantic objection is silly. First of all, nobody (well, no adult) is going to think that free means that it didn't cost anything -- there is no manipulation going on. But secondly, I would argue that the word doesn't mean what you are implying. If a bar offers you a free beer, would you also object that it was in fact paid for by someone? What would ever be "free", by your definition? Weather?