LETTERS : Going Dutch

YOUR leading article in praise of the Dutch ("The neighbours we rarely consider", 5 February) suggested that we might be wise to pay more heed. Here is a suggestion. In our contacts with the Netherlands over the past 40 years we have been impressed with their excellent rented accommodation. Numbers of our friends have been able to rent houses or flats at reasonable cost and close to good facilities. They have been able to move house as their circumstances have changed, usually by giving one month's notice, and avoiding the emotional stress and financial loss so prevalent here. Much housing is provided as an investment by pension funds or similar investing groups.

As we are now being told that no one has a job for life, with the consequent uncertainty over making a commitment to house purchase, what prevents rented housing initiatives of the Dutch kind taking place here?

Leida and Geoff Todd

Lindfield, W Sussex