Grading of rental accommodation presents some problems

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 57

Grading of rental accommodation presents some problems

By

the Real Estate Institute

When you read an advertisement, usually very brief, for the letting of a house or flat, you often gain only a vague idea of what you hope to find.

This is not only because of the brevity of the description but also because some of the terms associated with property can be very elastic in their meanings. For instance, to save space, (and space means money in advertising), descriptions are greatly condensed, and abbreviations are common. Take “2 b.r.” which to the house or flat hunter means “two bedrooms’’ and which was referred to in a letter from a reader ... “But,” said the correspondent, “when I made an inspection I found there was only one bedroom with an enclosed verandah being classed as a second bedroom. The veranda

was very narrow and I wondered why it could be classed as a bedroom. The rent was in accord with that for a two-bedroomed flat.”

This could be so. The real estate agent will tell you that people’s standards vary according to their experience, and the type and range of flats are as broad and varied as real estate itself. There is no system in operation for the grading of rental accommodation.

A young couple with a baby may be delighted if a twobedroomed flat has a small second bedroom, even if it is an enclosed veranda. But the same unit may be regarded as unsuitable by other people such as two

girls wishing to flat together who require bedrooms of equal size. However, most local bodies when licensing a flat issue a permit specifying the maximum number of persons who may occupy it and usually require the permit to be on display inside the flat The only way to properly assess the nature of the accommodation offered is to see it for yourself and make your own evaluation of its suitability to you., With regard to the rent asked the owner usually sets the price and, like all other commodities, rents rise and fall according to the demand. On the other hand the tenant has the opportunity to making an

application to the Residential Tenancies Tribunal if it is felt that the rental paid Is too high, having regard to the standard of the unit.

Similarly, if the landlord has a complaint, he too may appeal to the Tribunal to have the matter investigated, in which case it may be possible for the equitable rent fixed to be higher than before.

Obviously, the best time for a tenant to satisfy himself/herself about the standard of accommodation and level of rent is at the time of inspection before deciding whether to accept the terms and conditions of rental. The pursuit of accommodation can be stressful, so house or flat hunters are advised to list their requirements, and points to discuss with the landlord, before setting out to find accommodation.