How many investment properties is too many?

[Olive]

There was a referendum held in Berlin recently regarding the nationalisation of megaproperty holdings, which gave support to the idea that private individuals or companies should have limited numbers of residential investment properties. The local political leadership are now formulating legislation to go ahead with that proposal which will compensate landlords, nationalise their holdings, and limit future purchases.

With our current challenges around housing, should there be a limit to the number of residential properties that can be held in private hands? Or should we perhaps use taxation to persuade investors to look at more productive use of their savings......

I think there is merit in the idea, but there would be so many ways of getting around any limitation (trusts, companies) that it would generate a huge avoidance industry benefiting mainly accountants and lawyers.