HOUSE SHORTAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 16

HOUSE SHORTAGE

DEMAND FOR RENTING

NO IMMEDIATE RELIEF PROGRESS OF STATE SCHEMES LEGISLATIVE RESTRICTIONS Somo weeks arc likely to elapse before tho Government's housing construction schemes in Auckland can be expected to exercise any real effect on tho present acute shortage ol' houses for renting. Before long, work will probably bo in progress on five different sites—Orakei, the Casey Estate, Otaliuhu, Ono Tree Hill and Mount Hoskill —but, according to present indications, tho first of the Government houses at Orakei will not bo completed and ready for occupation for at least two months. ' Building operations aro proceeding steadily at Orakei,. in spite of delays caused by the continued wet weather and the shortage of labour. About 36 houses are at present under construction, out of a contract schedule of 212, and plans aro being prepared for a further contract, tenders for which will bo callod probably when the current programme is Hearing completion. Vacating Older Houses

Tenders have already been called for tho construction of houses on the Casey Estate and at Otahuhu and will close this month, but tho Ono Tree Hill and Mount Boskill schemes have not yet been advanced to tho tendering stage. It seems a reasonable assumption that several mouths will elapse before any large number ot tho new Government houses is available for renting. Even then, the schedule of rents to bo charged as announced recently by Mr. J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Under-secretary in charge of Housing, wjll probably prevent many of the lower-salaried workers from becoming prospective tenants, but in tho long run, occupancy of Government houses will mean that older houses in the suburbs will be released for renting. Experience of Landlords At the moment it is practically an : impossibility to rent a bouse in Auckland. It is a common experience among landlords .that if a house is likely to be vacated they will receive dozens of applications for it before the tenant in possession has given notice. The experience of a Remuera resident yesterday is indicative of the thoroughness with which house-hunting is pursued by Aucklanders. Ho had engaged two carpenters to carry out some work on his house and during tho morning seven different inquiries wero made by people who wanted to know whether the place was to let. Tlin tomnd for rental liowm, rather

than easing, is increasing. As a result of legislative restrictions, private"capital is"not'being'attracted to the building of houses for renting .purposes and fit the moment it appears that the only relief can come from the Government schemes. Another possible solution would be' the removal of some of the restrictive legislation affecting the relations between landlord and tenant, but under the present political regime that is not likely.