In Estonia, property taxes are very low. Only land tax exists. Aet Ader, president of the Union of Architects, says there are many empty and decaying buildings in cities.
Ader says these buildings could be useful. For example, for kindergartens or housing. She says the tax should depend on the value of the property. In her opinion, cheap farms in rural areas should not be taxed.
Ader says people's homes should remain tax-free. A second home, like a summer house, can also be tax-free. But if someone owns a lot of property, it should be taxed. For example, property in Toompea is much more expensive than in Ida-Virumaa.
In Lithuania, abandoned property is taxed at five percent. Social Democrat Tanel Kiik says Estonia could do the same. He wants wealthier people to pay more. Kiik says 10% of people own 60% of the wealth.
Reform Party's Mart Võrklaev does not support a property tax. He thinks it would burden too many people. Võrklaev says it might be necessary in Tallinn, but not elsewhere.
Five years ago, Estonia had many empty apartments. A quarter of all apartments were empty.