SPÖ-Leichtfried: Constitutional Committee decides on vacancy tax – “Housing should not be an object of speculation” – 2024-04-11 15:28:34

SPÖ: “Government continues to do nothing when it comes to high housing costs”

Vienna (OTS/SK) – With the votes of the SPÖ, today’s Constitutional Committee decided to transfer responsibility for the vacancy tax to the federal states and thus made it possible. “A vacancy tax with the aim of mobilizing more living space has long been a demand of the SPÖ. Living space should be there for living and not for the profits of real estate speculation,” says SPÖ constitutional spokesman Jörg Leichtfried, who also submitted the proposal. At the same time, he sharply criticizes the government’s inaction, which has done nothing to ensure that housing prices fall quickly despite skyrocketing housing costs. “The vacancy tax is ok, but it doesn’t reduce the existing rent or the home builder’s loan. We finally need a rent freeze and interest rate cap for house builders,” says Leichtfried. ****

With today’s constitutional shift in competence, the federal states now have the opportunity to decide on effective vacancy taxes in their respective areas. What the states were constitutionally allowed to do so far was not effective because it was too low. “It therefore makes sense to allow the states to impose a real vacancy tax. It is essential that more living space is then available,” says Leichtfried. In addition, the Constitutional Committee passed an amendment that makes it clear that the revenue from a vacancy tax will then also flow to the respective federal state. It is the result of the assessment that the SPÖ pushed for. (End) ah/bj

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