Thanks for clarifying your point Dave, and for about the second time this year we find ourselves singing from much the same hymn sheet.
The houses that were sold off for nominal sums I suspect really suffer from being in the wrong place. As you recently pointed out, we have little in the way of manufacturing in this country any more, or at least, far less than we used to have. Whose fault is that? Well, you and I can scream at each other over a few beers about that one! (but not on this forum). :)
The London houses bought for millions by foreign investers, Now, there we are in complete accord.
If a house is not lived in, (for say a rolling period of 12 months)
not available to be lived in
not for sale or rent,
but is in a fit state to be lived in...
Then tax it to the hilt !