THE HOUSE HUNGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17112, 18 March 1919, Page 8

THE HOUSE HUNGER.

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH AN UNSATISFIED DEMAND. MANY SALES TAKE PLACE. [by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDEST.] CHRI6TCHURCH. MondayThere is. according to several land agents who were seen by a reporter on the subject to-day, a decided shortage of modern houses to let in Christchurch jas£ at present, a rather serious state of affaire in view of the large number of men returning from tho front, very many of whom want to start housekeeping. Tho shortage is in four, fivo and six-roomed dwellings, at rents ranging from ISs to 17s per week. l'ho numuer of this class of house available for letting is almost negligible, as compared with the demand. Some idea of the straits to wliioh some house-hunters have been reduced is given by the statement made by one land agent that he was offered a premium of over £10 if he could supply the class of house desired. Bungalows arc much in demand, one agent stating that his average daily inquiries for t!ii» class of dwelling were about 50. The absence of sufficient _ properties to let has led to brisk business in tho sale of dwellings, and prices ranging from 60 per cent, increases on pre-war figures are being asked, and in very many cases obtained. Buiidors and others connected with the building trade do not hold out much hope of building material falling, and until it does so there is not likely to be much change in the position. An indication of the keen competition there is for houses is (riven by the fact that a house-hunter, on learning that a certain dwelling would be to let, applied for it at 5.30 a.m. on tho day it was available. Latecomers, totalling 27, were, of course, disappointed.