SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

Evening Star, Issue 16995, 18 March 1919, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF HOUSES

KEEN COMPETITION FOR HOMES'. [Special to the ‘ Star, j CHRISTCHURCH, March 17. There is, according to several land agerrts who were seen by a reporter on the subject to-day, a decided shortage of modern houses to let in Christchurch ‘just at present, a rather serious state of affairs in view of the large number of men returning from the front, very many of whom want to start housekeeping. The shortage is in four, five, and six roomed I dwellings, at rents ranging from 15s to 125s per week. The number of this class of house available for letting is almost negligible as compared with the demand. Some idea of the straits to- which some : house-hunters have been reduced is given ' by the allegation made by one land agent : that ho Was offered a premium of over j £lO if he could supply the class of house | desired. There arc a number of small ! houses on the letting list at 10s per week, | but the majority “arc not fit to put a I dog in,” as o-no agent expressed it. ! Bungalows are much in demand, ore ; agent stating that his daily -inquiries | for this class of dwelling averages about 50. The absence of- sufficient properties to let has led to brisk business in the sale ;of dwellings, and prices ranging from 50 [ per cent, ‘on pre-war figures are being I asked, and in very many cases obtained. Just at present builders and others connected with the building trade do not hold out much hope of the price of building material falling, and until it does there is not likely to bo much endeavor , made to meet tho demand for houses by j building them.- An indication of the keen competition there is for houses is given I by the fact that a housedinnter on learn- | iiig- a certain dwelling would be to let j applied for it at 5.30 a.rn. on the day it was available. Later -corners, totalling 27, were, of course, greatly disappointed.