[kiba]

The problem is not owning multiple properties, but untaxed land ownership. There's a prexisting solution for what you want to solve. It's called the Land Value Tax, which imposes a tax on land, but not on buildings and other improvement.

Property tax has a known problem of taxing improvement in addition to land, which constrict urban development. Plus, imposing additional property tax means improvements are further penalized, which means efficient land ownership are penalized.

You should look up Georgism and read up on what they have to say. It's a reaction to the 19th century economic condition but it very much apply to our 21st century situation and even more relevant today.

[no_wizard]

This should be the top comment IMO. Land Value Tax, coupled with much saner zoning laws and removing artificial restrictions on safe building proposals, would be the 1-2-3 move to resolving many of the worst aspects of the housing issues we face, as well as resolve many of the worst aspects of owning a home, IE having to defer proper maintenance simply to avoid a big tax adjustment

[bs7280]

From what I understand this is a big problem on the west coast (and I agree with what you are saying).

This thread is interesting, as we are all naturally biased towards problems in our own area, and I'm learning some interesting nuances affecting other parts of the country. I live in Chicago / Midwest that has more land and residential high-rises, but our tax problem is a nightmare.