Council Cottages

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30058, 16 February 1963, Page 3

Council Cottages

Sir,—An item to toe City Council news on Friday morning so completely baffled me thait I am sure others must be equally mystified. May I ask Doc an elucidation of it? ft reads: "Conditions for the lifetenancy cottages tor the aged to be built by toe Oity Council . . . provide for persons to buy a cottage tor £2500, and to occupy it for life, after which it reverts to the council.” Obviously some benefit to tihe buyer must be expected to accrue to thia arrangement, but on the surface it would appear that an elderly person with a life expectancy of, ait most, 10 years is paying a rent of £250 a year, or aJternwtively has made an investment which carries no reversionary or testamentary benefits. This is absurd. Therefore it must be capable of explanation. Could we have that explanation please? Yours, etc., I.S.T. February 10. 1963.

[The chairman of the City Council's housing and town planning committee (Or. G. D. Griffiths) replies: “The object of the council in erecting these cottages is to provide accommodation tor those elderly persons who are not eligible tor pensioners’ cotages. In particular, it is hoped to cater for aged .people who ait present own large properties which are difficult and costly to maintain. The cottages which are being erected in Avoogide drive and Retreat road will be sold to persons who have applied for such accommodation, ait a price of £2500, which is a little in excess of the contract price. The council wil be responsible tor the cost of maintaining the buildings and grounds, for the payment of rates and insurance, and for arranging, as far as possible, regular visits to the dwellings to ensure that the circumstances

of the occupiers are satisfactory. Considerable thought has been given to the project, which is based on a scheme operating successfully in Tasmania. In order to protect applicants for these cottages, ful (details of the scheme will be made aviaatable to them, and they wil Jibe advised to consult their solicitors before signing any agreement to occupy the unite.’’]