HOUSING LAW.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 255, 27 October 1920, Page 5

HOUSING LAW.

NEW RENT BASIS

[FROM OUIt COURESI'OXDENT.I

WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. The Minister for Labor introduced ail amendment to the Housing Act* to-night. Ho stated that its main ■provision was to give local bodies the* power to buy land and borrow money from the Government for housing Schemes. The £10,000 annual limitation on loans to local bodies was unchanged. . Dr. Thaeker: "The Brimo jfcuni&ter said that he would increase it." Sir William Herries: "If the promise was made I will consider the matter.' 5 He went on to say thai> the basis of rent assessment wa» being changed from 8 per cent, on the capital value to an allowance to !the landlord of 7 per cent, after providing for depreciation. A limit was being placed on sub-letting by pro)viding that the rent to subtenants must be in proportion to th& principal rent. The offering of rewards or the charging or bonuses for obtaining houses wa» made subject to a penalty, and newspapers would be prevented from -advertising such offers. The ttnaxiimim price of brick or concrete dwellings for workers was being increased: to £1000. Public utility • softies, would be empowered to borrow for housing schemes. It was also provided that rent charged in excess of the maximum .would bo lecoverable, and a new deftniticm of undue hardship was being inserted. Several city members criticised tho i £10,000 limit on housing loans t« cities, Mr Luke suggestir^g that ifr should be '£201,000. Mr Massey pointed cart to MrSullivan, who mentioned, the. .difllcuk ties of the Christchurcii City C«>t:n~ oil, that ithe Government was sending £70,000 at Papanwi.