Originally Posted by: ELF 
Originally Posted by: techno 
In some EU countries tenancy law is a disaster. Essentially the tenant has a perpetual lease over the property, to the extent that they control, and take a cut from, any transfer of tenancy. You can't even evict for non-payment of rent. I know decent people in who leave property empty rather than let because of this. The rental sector is then left to the gangsters who break your legs if you don’t move out.
The politicians and the media keep telling us that we must get used to "European-style renting", often holding up Germany as an example. Half the population rent there and I understand that that is a country where tenants have lifetime contracts. However, I also understand that they are responsible for doing their own repairs which makes a big difference.
France is a problem I understand. There are rent controls and tenants can only be told to leave under certain circumstances. This has created a shortage in housing in Paris, with reports that people have been known to trade sexual favours in return for accommodation.
We won't have any choice anyway. Note the language in
that report:
Quote:[A] Union which aims to get closer to its citizens, to facilitate their day-to-day lives and to give them a common sense of justice, as stressed in the Tampere Conclusions, should play an active co-ordinating role in this important field to the benefit of its citizens, notwithstanding the lack of harmonisation powers.
Beyond that, a European role in tenancy law becomes unavoidable to the extent that European law exercises direct influence on national laws.
In other words, they don't have the powers right now, but they will one day. Nobody can stand in the way of the European project,
mwahahahaha 
.
Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.
Edited by user 12 February 2013 17:45:23(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified