HOUSES AND TENANTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 9, 10 July 1931, Page 6

HOUSES AND TENANTS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—As 'a venter of houses .■ and flats, not only here, but also -in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and one who has never been either a rent defaulter or a vandal, I am perhaps, qualified to answer your correspondent "Aren't We All." As far as it goes his is a reasonable plea—we nil know that some landlords face as many financial pitfalls as other investors, but let us glance at the . position through a tenant's spectacles. Eerlts are, considerably higher in Wellington than in any other New Zealand centre I know, of: .Not only are rents higher,' but the/ premises, apart from the prices asked, 'are of a much lower standard generally. A common practice on the pait of prospective landlords, particularly in this city, is to seek to jnneasc their incomes, not by a real investment in up-to-date flats, but by setting aside portions of their homes'not used by them (always the least attractive portion) making a few cheap alterations, and offering the results at true flat rentals. Wellington is overrun with such accommodation, and I venture to assert that if au inspection were carried out to-morrow along lines laid down by, say, the Health Department and the Fire Board, a surprisingly large number of these so-called flats would have to be altered drastically. In the recent, past the class of landlord, to which I refer has reaped a rich harvest, taking advantage, of the house and accommodation,shortage in Wellington.' Now they'are beginning to suffer a i eduction of profits, but the great majority are not nearly in such a bad position <is "Aren't We AH" would-have us think. Their original outlay in alterations has long sincelbeen returned to them, and they have enjoyed a handsome margin. , It is true' that in. making these statements'l am singling out one class of landlord. It is equally true that it is he who is having the most trouble with tenants, doing the least "business," and most of the complaining to-day. Real .investors who have.takenrcal trouble and spent real money in preparing for public competition true flats of an attractive type seem to me to be still doing well in Wellington. I say this on the strength of having made an extended tour of the city and suburbs recently, seeking accommodation, and was unable to find a single flat, worthy of the name, th,at had been vacant for. any length of time or that was being offered at a rental which would represent anything liko a loss to the owner. ■ Finally aa a flat-hunter of, long experience, may I offer this humble advice to the landlord whose flat' is attracting the wrong type o£ tenant. Take true stock of the place'and ask yourself how "you would like to have it if yon were 'the tenant. Then consider whether' it is not' worth while ,to get carpenters, plumbers, and decorators to work bringing • the premises into line with those which are attracting the right custom. Your rents must come down, but so will your interest wheniyou renew that mortgage) and you" will find you have little to growl about. Do not forget that there are as many bad landlords as bad tenants in any community, ( and no'whero more lhan in the fkt-rentiug business docs like call to like.—l am, «te.,' ' TENANT. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Will you please allow me space to reply to "Ain't We All," and give k tenant's point of view regarding the proposed amendment .to the Distress and Replevin Act,' 1908. The tenant has notbeeri able to buy any property, because she'has brought up a family of four sons and one daughter, and did not marry a man who owned a homo to start off married life. During the past 26 years' one has gained a vast experience of 'houses and houseowners, and has found that house-owners are at a greater advantage than other investors. ■ , l . ' The writer, in her ignorance, rented a .house for £2 10s per week in 1927. Through the death of the owner, the property fell into other hands and was' revalued, and the rent was reduced to 30s per week. The writer had'paid 20s per week excess rent' for over "six month's; ' This cafee. i'b not an isolated one, for quite, recently the writer was paying 32s <3d''for,"a .three; roomed cottage, which a few years .ago was let for 10s per week. The members of Parliament are in^a better position to enact legislation" than house speculators are, because When a tenant is ■ badly treated by a house-owner, jhe- or she takes the facts,' often li lawyer's letter,1 to the member for the district, and tells him the existing conditions under which, tenants are at a disadvantage.' -The 'proposed legislation* will hurt no one, but will protect the few household sticks of poor tenants, who,'through' the slump.or war, have,been forced into poverty through unemployment.—l am, etc., ' ANOTHER TENANT. ' (To the .Editor.) 1 Sir,—After reading the article iv" Saturday's "Post" regarding rents and tenants, may I also protest against Mr. Fraser's Bill agninst distraint for rent. I will appeal to Mr. Fraser's justice, if the same is passed, to see that thbse unfortunate landowners have their interest, rates, and insurances paid, Mr. Fraser will find many tenants like one I will quote. There arc many unscrupulous people, trading on these hard times. The' tenant I have in mind is a man working for himself, whose excuse was t always "That; he could not get his money on the job," and didn't pay, and'yet was ,able to send his wife for a holiday. My interest on mortgage is due, and on getting legal advice I was advised, under the" circumstances, to get the bailiff in. I refused to do this, thinking the man was really up against it. Then ,1 got three.days' notice from the' tenants saying they were leaving my house. I next found that there was to be an auction sale of the furniture, etc. On making a further effort to get the rent in order pny niy interest, I wasi told thnt the furniture had been sold. My mortgagee is a widow with a- smnll income, so I will ask Mr. Fraser to draft a Bill protecting the landowner'as well aa the tenant, and that no'auctioneer bo allowed to sell furniture during this trying I economic period, without tho tenant pro--1 during a clear receipt for rent from the i landowner. ' i ' ' 1 I have boon used to dealing with the 1 class of tcnaut who appreciated tho homes i they rented. May I, in conclusion, suggest ~i meeting of ■ landowners to arrange for .i recognised . monthly tenancy and" how In deal with ■' unscrupulous tenants. I Thousands of honourable tenants would thank us.—l am, etc., JUSTICE.