POSITION ACUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 7 October 1936, Page 8

POSITION ACUTE.

HOUSING SHORTAGE.

WORST FOR TWENTY YEARS.

SCARCELY ONE TO LET.

Not for twenty years, it is stated, has there been in Auckland such a shortage of houses for letting. Many of the larger agents have on their books not more than four or five dwellings, and if these remain unlet for a week, then either the house is in some important way unsatisfactory in regard to position or 'size or state of repair, or else the rental demanded is beyond the reach of the average person wanting a house. For this condition there appear to be a large number of contributory causes rather than one main reason. Whereas in 1930 one firm in the city was accustomed to let 20 or 30 houses every month regularly, now it is' able to let live or six. At present it lias only two houses available for renting, and this was stated to be iftmsual. In another firm, there were the saine number. One of these was a more than ordinarily large house, and the other was one for which more than £2 was asked. It is not uncommon for a house to come into the hands of a firm in the morning, and to be let by mid-day. Cases are cited where a would-be tenant meets an agent as soon as the premises open in the morning, and as soon as that customer is given details and sent away, his place is taken by two or three more. One such person in search of a house was sent out to inspect a dwelling, and as soon as he had gone the agent was accosted by a woman who brought into him the first week's rent. She had met the owner of the house privately and had done business there and then. These are not uncommon examples. "111 fact," the agent added, "we are at our wits' end to find houses for people." A Number of Causes. None of the agents will state definitely that one factor is the cause of the existing position. They refer to a number of causes. They say that during the depression building for speculative purposes ceased. At one time as many as 1000 houses for that purpose were built in a year. Even now, when there is general agreement that the depression is at least passing, it is stated that but little speculative building is taking place. That means that there are that many houses fewcy for people to move into.

Again, when times were bad perhaps two or three families would live in the one house. This was done unwillingly, but through necessity. Agents said that this sub-letting was done without their knowledge. Now that there is more money available for wages one of the first uses to which it has been put is the securing of separate houses for each family. "I cannot say to what extent this sub-letting took place, or what additional number of houses have been occupied by its ending, but I think that it is one cause of the shortage," Commented the agent.

Agents say, again, that they believe that with the return of prosperity there has been a gradual drift to the towns, and to Auckland in particular, as the largest city. This extra population lias had to be housed; and the result has been that many fewer houses are available. It is thought, also, that there has been an influx of people from the south of New Zealand, people who have made money there and who have come north in their retirement.'. Not a great number of these had built their own houses, but had preferred to rent them. Private Building Activity. It is obvious that a great deal of building is going on in the suburban area of Auckland; byt agents point out that that is private building, as distinct from speculative building. The increase in building, they say, can be seen from any of the building permits issued by the local bodies; but that great increase in building activity has not relieved the position.

A peculiar aspect of the shortage, agents say, is that it is not confined to the type of house to be let for the lower rental. There have been shortages in the past, they admit, but in such periods there were usually a number of the dearer houses to be had. At present more highly priced houses and cheaper houses alike are not available. Usually, it is stated, there is a fair demand for houses up to a rental of £2 a week; but beyond that inquiry falls away. Now, however, while the average tenant is unwilling to pay more than perhaps 25/ to 30/ a week rental, the £2 and more houses appear to have been taken as well. Agents were unwilling to hazard an estimate as to when the position was likely to be eased. The Government scheme, they said, might help matters; but a large number of houses would need to be built to bring the position back to normal. Correspondent's Complaint. Correspondence on the subject has reached the editor of the "Star." "Still Trying" stated that people from all parts of the country were applying to agents in the city, and were being given preference to the local person, who was told there, was a big waiting list of applicants from a long distance. "Consequently many of us," the letter continues, "are at our wits' end, as even the smallest dwelling is not available. Is this fair? I would like other opinions on the subject."

When asked about this, agents said that applicants from the country were not being given preference, but they stated, without prejudice to "Still Trying," that the man .with the best financial position was given what little preference there was. There was certainly a big waiting list; but the agent approached said that those comprising it were not wholly, or even in the majority, from the country.