It is not popular to say it, but landlords and developers need all the support they ask for if we are to solve the housing crisis. There are plenty of people crying out about the lack of house building and high rents, but I don’t hear too many politicians, commentators or academics putting forward progressive suggestions as to how both of these pivotal players can be incentivised to speed up the solution.

We are a bit loose with our language, to the point that “landlord” and “developer” have become bywords for greed in all discussions about the scarcity in housing. “Developer” became a dirty word after the economic crash, which followed the findings of the various planning tribunals. So yes, evidently there is such a thing as a bent developer. But politicians should not be fearful of asking the myriad of genuine developers what is needed today for them to guarantee affordable housing into the future.

Landlords too need to be asked what should be done to encourage them to be part of a European-style, sustainable, long-term renting model so many cry out for. But we never seem to hear from either player, except when they are hauled onto radio and TV to be lectured about land hoarding or rent increases.

We must remember that during the last housing boom many people became landlords for the first time. Now they are getting out and here is what’s possibly happening. Buy-to-lets were seen as solid, alternative long-term investment to stocks and shares while interest rates were so low.

So many people took out mortgages on one or two investment properties in good faith, investing in their or their children’s futures or in-lieu of a private pension. Then the crash happened and many were left in negative equity, as rents that used to pay the mortgage were slashed but the tax rate payable on rent minus maintenance wasn’t.

These properties also require more annual upkeep, are liable for other mandatory costs such as PRTB and management fees, property tax and, in some cases, rental agency fees. Now that house prices have rallied, these small-time landlords are getting out in their droves once they can get the asking price to clear the mortgage, as these investments have been nothing more than a noose around their neck for the past decade or so.

Like the rest of us, they never anticipated the huge crash and its consequences. Those who haven’t handed back the keys are now clearing their debts and getting out of town with just about their money back.

There can be few other reasons why the numbers of rental properties are now so scarce, particularly in Dublin. As a result we have a cycle of more tenants and less rental property, a classic supply and demand scenario which is driving up rents.

No doubt it is making some landlords very rich. But that shouldn’t skew into a negative view of all landlords, in particular the small-time investors, as they are vital to a functioning housing market. A carrot rather than stick is what is needed here. CL

Are we becoming too protective?

A few years ago in primary school my daughter was running around the yard playing with her friends. She accidently bumped into another girl, fell and cut her knee. I had to take her to the doctor. She survived! Never in a million years would I have considered that this was as a result of negligence by the school. Yet there are parents who seem to think otherwise, according to a report published last week. And it is why running is banned in some primary schools. The world is gone mad.