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Posts by delphiandomine  

Joined: 25 Nov 2008 / Male ♂
Warnings: 1 - Q		 Last Post: 17 Feb 2021
Threads: Total: 86 / Live: 15 / Archived: 71
Posts: Total: 17823 / Live: 4649 / Archived: 13174 		From: Poznań, Poland
Speaks Polish?: Yeah.
Interests: law, business

Displayed posts: 4664 / page 121 of 156
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delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

it;s by no means a direct money transfer - it's the use of the premises that's inherited and not any kind of ownership

But it is where the property is/was purchased - that's more or less a direct transfer.

(don't get me started on the insanity of someone with a zameldowanie there claiming rights to the property)

What are you talking about: sentimentality? That's what you think about inheritance?

There's sentimentality in that it was a very popular move to allow people to buy their flats for peanuts - not least because many of the flats were occupied by ex-Party (or ex-Party institution workers). A fair system would have redistributed the flats before allowing people to buy them.

Anyway, maybe their families had the money/holdings that the government took? How far do you go back the make sure the fair price have been paid?

The fair price would have been the market value at the time of purchase - be it 2011 or 1991.

As for the Government taking stuff - well, there are processes to deal with that. It's a separate issue, as I'm mainly talking about new builds (post 1945).

Also, who decides when the flat is too big? And how many people should live in it? That sounds like the good old communist times.

Social housing should be for those in need (and who are deserving, no drunks/wasters) - if someone needs a municipal flat, then they should live in a flat suitable for their needs. Don't you see the insanity of poor families living in tiny flats while Babcia lives alone in a huge flat? Both are owned by the State - and they should switch. Again - you can't allow sentimentality to override logic.
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

Regardless what currency they paid for those flats with; money, slavery, ass-kissing, it's probably the only material thing of value they have to pass to their children.

Sentimentality shouldn't apply to economics and social welfare - it's usually what causes much of the mess to begin with.

If they want to pass it to their children, then they should pay the fair market price for it. It's built with public money - why should the public transfer money to a private pocket?
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

doesn't that trample on the inheritance rights?

It wouldn't have done if it was done properly from the beginning - the flats in question were owned by the municipality, and could easily have had conditions attached to the occupancy of the property.

Now of course, it's a different story - but there should be no "inheritance" of socially owned flats and they certainly shouldn't be bought these days.
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

That's only part of the story. Flats built and paid for by the people, for the people were obtained virtually free by private individuals and inherited by relatives who often let them for profit.

Indeed. I have numerous friends living in rented accommodation - all of which is let with a wink and a nod and no money being declared to the taxman at all. All the flats were inherited and then rented out - and many of them are in very good locations. The current owners have done absolutely nothing - and these flats were never built as part of a "społdzielna" (spelling?), but rather plain old council housing.

Babcia retiring in a piece of real estate she worked for all her life might seem pretty fair when you start getting old.

The problem is that Babcia often didn't work for it all her life - she often got it through being in the right place/right time and often retired early from some quasi-military non-job. It's especially true when it comes to flats built in the 50's/60's - many of them in very good locations were given to loyal Party members.

Very fair. But when it was built as social housing with public money, it should remain social housing for the next person who has worked all their life, rather than going to a nephew or niece.

Exactly. As it stands - the nephew can give Babcia a small amount of cash, she can buy the flat - and the nephew can sell it for a handsome profit once Babcia dies. An utter joke in every sense of the word - especially with young people struggling to buy accommodation.

I have no issue with Babcia staying there, but when she goes, the flat should return to the State - and - crucially - be awarded not only on the basis of need, but also the basis of deserving.
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

in what manner - does the city hall pay for any serious upkeep? you seen it? - renovations? by the council? outside the representative areas? - so in what manner do the youth pay for the babcias lodgings?

It's not only the massive social transfers in the early 90's which the youth paid for then, but also the current day social transfers. No-one seriously believes that ZUS is using yesterday's money to pay for today's pensions, right?

and what is the solution to that? where are you going to evict these people to? and why when they are able to pay their monthly rents? raise the rents? sure - then where do you move the people? physically. (is there enough places to move them into? - there's gonna thousands upon thousands) - would you like to do that personally? a little bit of babcia evicting is what you dream about at night?

Honestly, the solution to the problem would have been grant the "main" occupiers (no children, no nephews, no-one else) living rights to the flat. Babcia wouldn't be able to pass the place on - and you wouldn't have the issue where people in their 50's are now standing to inherit some very good flats that no-one has really worked for. But the problem also existed under Communism - many new flats were sold for what was really nothing compared to the actual value of the materials/labour used to construct them.

The whole situation is a diabolical mess - while eviction wasn't a good idea, these flats should have stayed in State hands unless the purchaser was willing to pay market value for them.

Have a look at this - the UK has exactly the same problem - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_buy_scheme

The same situation also caused a shocking housing shortage - if they were State owned, Babcia could be relocated into more suitable accomodation for her needs (ie, no big 4 room flats in city centre locations) while young families who need the room could get it.

It's somewhat socialist, but at the same time - if the State is paying, then it should be according to need, not according to luck or connections.

(and I think the lack of social housing in Poland while Babcia sits in a massive flat is also an utter disgrace)
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

Or in this case, "all power to those who were in a comfortable situation post-1989".

Which also includes many of those PiS loving Babcia's sitting in massive flats in city centre locations, paid for by the efforts of today's youth.
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

Or joined-up housing policy.

A joined-up housing policy would have started with prohibiting the purchase of state-owned flats for anything less than the market value.

The 'right-to-buy' has caused chaos in the UK, and the same thing is seen here. Basic economics - transferring huge social subsidies is always going to cause pain somewhere down the road.
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

How much is 'much more than they need to'?

If it wasn't for the massive social transfers, prices would undoubtably be lower. That much is obvious.

For all its failings the capitalist system does a fairly reasonable of allocating resources and matching supply & demand.

The problem is that the current situation isn't the result of the capitalist system. It's the direct result of state interference - the State sold much of the housing stock at heavily subsidised prices, and now, we see the effects - those who were subsidised can outbid those who weren't.

Do they teach Brits any basic economics at school?

Looks like you're the one who hasn't learnt basic history.
delphiandomine   
17 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

most of Poland is made up of small towns, if a couple could muster up say 4000zl a month, take out living costs, rent etc and I doubt if you would have much change. To borrow 300,000zl would be a suicidal as monthly repayments would be in the range of 3000zl.

300,000 buys you a decent house in much of Poland, really. A first time buyer would be looking at a 2/3 room flat (one interesting question - why the hell were so many 2 room flats built in the 50sqm range when 3 smaller rooms would make far more sense for the first time buyer?) - and in a small town, you're looking at around 150k these days maximum, and that's with a kitchen/bathroom fitted.

All said and done why is there so much obsession about home ownership as people in other countries rent, take Germans for example.

Poland has unfortunately followed the British model - and I think it's hurting them.

It's probably a lot to do with the way that many properties were sold for peanuts in the early 90's - everyone became a homeowner, and this generation wants the same. Of course, there aren't the huge social transfers to pay for it - so you're in the ridiculous situation where people in their 50's had very cheap property, while people in their mid 20's are now paying much more than they need to, simply because the older generation have priced them out of the market.

D thats a pretty harsh comment to make

It is harsh, but true - look at all these morons graduating and demanding jobs with high salaries to begin with. Many of them simply don't want to work hard for the big rewards - I've lost count of the amount of people I've interviewed, who have then backed off when I've mentioned "of course, some weekend work will be part of the job". I remember one girl in particular who refused to work weekends under any circumstance - all because she had a boyfriend in another city.

Unsurprisingly, she (and the rest) didn't get the job.
delphiandomine   
16 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

yes,renting would be better for sure, if protected by democratic laws,

What are you talking about now?

The laws in Poland are fine when it comes to a landlord/tenant relationship. We could do with the introduction of a deposit protection service, but that's about it.

easy for you to say.

Well yes, I sensibly live very close to good public transport connections. Still have a car, but for ordinary day to day stuff, public transport is just as good.

and where is this not the case?

Poland is worse than others. You should know something about it, having a kid without actually working.
delphiandomine   
16 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

I think you are out of touch with the typcial struggles of a Polish household. In fact if you ask bankers and economists raising a deposit is a major issue - when the banks wanted 10% or sometimes 5% maybe not a problem but if they start to look for say 15% then it will be out of reach for most.

To be honest, if they can't raise 15%, then they shouldn't be buying a flat in the first place. I would be all in favour of raising it to 20% - yes - it would mean home ownership would decrease, but look at Germany - renting is common there and isn't seen as an issue.

One of them runs a modest car

And he's paying nearly a thousand a month to run it - so he should drop it. If a car costs you 1/6th of your income - it really is time to give it up.

bus 150

Most Polish cities - it's about 80zl a month.

So - we've already worked out that they can save about 1000zl a month easily.

And they could easily buy a flat in a satellite town - take Poznan for instance. There are plenty of decent flats available in places like Szamotuly, Oborniki, Wresznia, Srem, etc - for around 150k for a good sized, modernised flat. Train to Poznan is about 250zl a month, and takes around 30-40 minutes. Given that vast amounts of people around the world commute for 1.5 hours (look at London - 2 hour commutes are normal) - what's the issue?

Much of the problem is due to people wanting only the best and not being willing to work hard enough to get it.

Throw a child into that equation (which for many is the catalyst for wanting to buying instead of rent and you can surely see it is a huge problem.

Actually - this is interesting that you mention this. I think, honestly speaking, this is what breaks many Polish couples - women have a desire to get pregnant as soon as possible here, and I've seen several couples where they've let the hormones take over - and as a result, they'll probably be forever renting.

Sorry, but there's no right to buy property.
delphiandomine   
15 Jan 2012
Life / Babcia or Busha - any social class difference? [359]

look, who cares? 'Nanny', in reference to grandmother, is not a word uttered by the elite of British society. Who gives one? People can call their relatives what the hell they like.

Unlike in English, Polish is defined by a single authority - and any arguments about "legitimacy" should be referred to them. Anyway, it's a word of peasant origin.

It is a legitimate Polish-American term just as legitimate as the speech of the Afros or other groups.

Perhaps so, but don't try and claim that it's a Polish word.

Busia is a diminutive/short of Babusia, nothing to do with peasantry.

It isn't according to the PWN.

I dare say your Polish is too crap to understand that words in Polish can be morphed and played with in ways unprecedented in Germanic languages.

No, I just accept that the PWN is a far more definitive source on Polish than some dumb internet rednecks.

(Busia, as has been proven countless times on here, has never existed in Polish as a whole)
delphiandomine   
15 Jan 2012
Life / Babcia or Busha - any social class difference? [359]

What has Polish-American speech got to do with Ironside's point that it's a legitimate Polish word?

Busia is simply a word used by people who are too uneducated to use the correct word. Given that "Busia" was almost certain a peasant when she arrived, it does make sense.
delphiandomine   
15 Jan 2012
Life / Babcia or Busha - any social class difference? [359]

Busha (busia) is a legitimate Polish word.

Yes, very legitimate - so legitimate that the PWN don't recognise it as such. Sorry, Ironside - but we, defenders of the Polish language, feel that the custodians of the language are far more of an authority than some Americans.

Two - in the Polish language busha (busia) doesn't sound good. I mean that sounds like something a small child would say - kids talk!

It doesn't sound good because it's not a Polish word.

On the other hand it sounds easy to pronounce for somebody from the English-speaking environment, hence its popularity.

Because "bab-cha" is so difficult, isn't it?
delphiandomine   
14 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

To be fair, the situation that is unfolding now, has proven the 'rational' of my argument, and exposed you and Co, to be nothing more than a pack of opportunistic chancers, relying on the sustained naivety of gullible buyers.

All it's really proven is that Mark Biernat will never own a property in Krakow.
delphiandomine   
14 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

So with asking prices around 350 k for 50 square metres then that extra 20 million should help about 70 lucky polish families find their dream shoebox.

What, where?

Even at their highest, 350k would buy you 65-70sqm in an average area in Poznan - an area with good tram connections straight to the centre at that. Nowadays, you'll get closer to 80sqm for that price.

Assuming that they kind find 30 k themselves for the deposit, I mean that's only a years take home salary so should be easy.

So in other words, a newly-wed couple only have to earn 30k for a deposit. Not really difficult - they'll have little expenses and will simply have to cut back on "nice" things for a while - just like newly-wed couples all over the world.
delphiandomine   
12 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

Although I would point out that the average Warsaw household has more than one income, a lot closer to two incomes than one.

Indeed, it's a common mistake that people make to say "wow, a small place will cost you 1/2 of your income" - when in reality, most people with only one income would be sharing a place anyway.
delphiandomine   
12 Jan 2012
UK, Ireland / Warning to British people visiting Poland!! Don't get drunk and smash the place up! [447]

Shocked:that is what we call the drunktank, and frankly, we very much approve of it. In fact, my only regret is that the police don't use it more to deal with drunken idiots from the British Isles.

Works well, doesn't it?

I'm sure the drinking problem would solve itself overnight in the UK if the opening hours were truly liberalised along with the introduction of the drunk tank.

You do have to wonder what the tosser was doing to get a kicking from the police.
delphiandomine   
12 Jan 2012
Real Estate / Residential real estate values go down in Poland [455]

A rent of PLN 2000 would actually absorb more than half the take home pay of an average Varsovian

Isn't the average income in Warsaw now well above 5000zl? I've seen some figures somewhere stating that...
delphiandomine   
10 Jan 2012
News / Polish prosecutor 'shoots self after news conference' [93]

He should have come out and told the truth, he would then become a national hero..

Personally, I'd have loved it if he admitted that the military was in a shocking state and that they should disband the lot and start again (except with the possible exception of the special forces). Wouldn't have been popular among the military, but this would've gained fans from all over the political spectrum.

The state of the 36th (and swift demise) was disgraceful.
delphiandomine   
10 Jan 2012
News / Polish prosecutor 'shoots self after news conference' [93]

No need for such elaborate theories - we already know (and it was exposed) that there was a horrible culture of sloppiness within the air force prior to Smolensk. You'll find plenty online about how they were always taking risks, how they weren't trained properly and so on - and now that more and more is getting discovered, many top guys simply will be looking for a way out.

Suicide (in their minds) might very well be better than being sacked in disgrace.
delphiandomine   
10 Jan 2012
News / Polish prosecutor 'shoots self after news conference' [93]

Sorry, but he's actually an American pretending to be Irish - in other words, one of your own.

there is a surprising amount of suicide deaths around the Smoleńsk catastrophe - many among military personnel - of which the mainstream media are rather shy to report

I'm not surprised. Given that Smolensk exposed a culture of sloppiness, half-heartedness and general incompetence - I'm not surprised that military guys saw suicide as a realistic option.

Commenting on the thread without having read the articles linked to in the OP as well as including a pissy remark about another forum member.... Way to go Harry!

Mods?

So what's the story?

Not much to say. He's been caught indulging in illegal activities (which, for a military man, means his career is over) and obviously was making some sort of statement with this little attention-seeking stunt. He'll now be retired on medical grounds, and will no doubt join PiS later.
delphiandomine   
7 Jan 2012
Life / Sending SMS / text message online from/to Poland? [22]

mojabramka.pl maybe?

Q: My friend showed me a website from which i could send free text messages within poland. does anybody know which website? I forgot the name

sms.telebox.pl
vbs.pl
sms.priv.pl

Enjoy :)
delphiandomine   
7 Jan 2012
Life / K+M+B-2012 - formula on flats in Poland [63]

Thanks guys :)

It also works both ways Pip, if foreigners choose to settle in Poland, until the point they have been given Polish passports they are guests of the country and should therefore act accordingly and respect the tradition and values of the host nation, as a good guest should.

God forbid saying the same thing to a Pole abroad though - we all know how they only choose to respect the bits they like.

Bit like the British, really...
delphiandomine   
7 Jan 2012
Life / Automobiles vs. Pedestrians in Poland [77]

Steady on. That sounds like a recipe for abuse and corruption.

I'd be looking at doing it properly - everything backed up with video evidence. All they'd need to do would be to put a few unmarked cars around and bust people for all the absolutely awful things that you see every day. But - I'd rather see them deal with the diabolical parking that you see.

What kills me is that they seem to ignore cyclists dressed in dark clothing and without lights. I once saw a police van slowly overtake three such cyclists without stopping.

I don't get it as well - I've seen police cars doing speed checks on busy roads where cyclists are banned, and yet they won't stop the (invariably) old man on a bike who seems to be utterly oblivious that he shouldn't be there.

Always thought that one of the scourges of Polish roads are the villagers who cycle (often a bit drunk) very slowly on main roads.