4 ms·

I agree the ideas are interesting, but I wonder how easy it is to detect that the house is empty (and who has the burden of proof). Unless there are some pretty

by ptero 10y ago

I agree the ideas are interesting, but I wonder how easy it is to detect that the house is empty (and who has the burden of proof). Unless there are some pretty draconian / invasive inspections I wonder if the law has any teeth. Not a criticism of the root comment, just curious.

awqrre 10y ago
Looking at the power consumption should be enough in most cases unless they generate their own electricity which should also be easy to figure out... from my home I can wirelessly read the power meters of about 30 of my neighbors (updated every 1 to 5 minutes) using a cheap rtl-sdr and a raspberry-pi (I probably could do better if I placed the antenna outside of my house or if I optimized the antenna for the frequency)
- MarkMc 10y ago
  Then I can avoid the tax by using a timer device to switch the lights on and off
  - awqrre 10y ago
    You probably should use a somewhat random timer and include some heating and cooling too...but yeah it probably could be tricked fairly easily.
  - stale2002 10y ago
    You can also shoplift and almost certainly get away with it. Most people won't go through the trouble though.
    - nickff 10y ago
      You wouldn't pay a small power bill and buy a timer to save >$10000/yr?
      - stale2002 10y ago
        Maybe it would work and maybe it wouldn't. And if they catch you, then they will multiply the fine. What I'd do is just rent out the room, and not pay the fee.
- branchless 10y ago
  Stop dancing on the head of a pin! Land value tax. No income tax. People who add no value get nothing.
  - krrrh 10y ago
    Or a land value surtax which you don't have to pay if you are already paying income taxes or retired. http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/a-roadmap-for-bringing-sanity-back-to-housing-markets/ http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/a-roadmap-fo...

4 ms·

I agree the ideas are interesting, but I wonder how easy it is to detect that the house is empty (and who has the burden of proof). Unless there are some pretty

by ptero 10y ago

awqrre 10y ago
Looking at the power consumption should be enough in most cases unless they generate their own electricity which should also be easy to figure out... from my home I can wirelessly read the power meters of about 30 of my neighbors (updated every 1 to 5 minutes) using a cheap rtl-sdr and a raspberry-pi (I probably could do better if I placed the antenna outside of my house or if I optimized the antenna for the frequency)
- MarkMc 10y ago
  Then I can avoid the tax by using a timer device to switch the lights on and off
  - awqrre 10y ago
    You probably should use a somewhat random timer and include some heating and cooling too...but yeah it probably could be tricked fairly easily.
  - stale2002 10y ago
    You can also shoplift and almost certainly get away with it. Most people won't go through the trouble though.
    - nickff 10y ago
      You wouldn't pay a small power bill and buy a timer to save >$10000/yr?
      - stale2002 10y ago
        Maybe it would work and maybe it wouldn't. And if they catch you, then they will multiply the fine. What I'd do is just rent out the room, and not pay the fee.
- branchless 10y ago
  Stop dancing on the head of a pin! Land value tax. No income tax. People who add no value get nothing.
  - krrrh 10y ago
    Or a land value surtax which you don't have to pay if you are already paying income taxes or retired. http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/a-roadmap-for-bringing-sanity-back-to-housing-markets/ http://www.macleans.ca/economy/economicanalysis/a-roadmap-fo...