Rent revenue down

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 6

Rent revenue down

Christchurch City Council housing and property ■ accounts may contribute about $14,780 to rating accounts this year. Instead of requiring rates,! the department is able to contribute some money because of rental income from city-owned properties, such as two Ministry of Transport vehicle testing stations. Last year, the housing and property division contributed $121,-287 to rates. Combined housing accounts had a debit of $53,622 last year, lower than the. estimated deficit of $198,308. The estimated defi-

cit at the end of this financial year is $188,300. The housing and property committee’s chairman (Cr Mollie Clark) said that figure might be “somewhat improved” by the end of the year. Pensioner flat rentals couid be held at their present level this year, Cr Clark said, but reclamation and community housing rents might require a “modest” rise in about six , months if inflation hits estil mated costs too hard. ‘

This year, the pensioner flats account has gone from a $67,266 deficit to a $21,763 credit. But it might end - the year with a loss because of big maintenance work to be done. The Airedale Courts housing cash surplus will be “considerably reduced” this year,' according to a report from the City Treasurer (Mr F.. M. Sowden), because of the need to do painting costing $35,000 at the inner-city complex.