LONDON’S EMPTY FLATS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1930, Page 16

LONDON’S EMPTY FLATS

ELABORATE AND EXPENSIVE. | HOUSE AGENTS IN DESPAIR. London is suffering from a “glut” of expensive flats. For a long time vast structures have been built on sites formerly occupied by houses or shops. The rush to build them began, soon after ths war’and increased during the ensuing trade boom when people could afford their rents. There are nowxacres of these flats without occupants. Houfee agents are in despair. The flats are all that could be desired, so far as .“every modern convenience”, is concerned; they have such undeniable at- I tractions as central heating, marble bathrooms, constant hot water, and magnificent decorations. The rents alone are unattractive. An agent showed a Daily Mail reporter over some of the flats recently. “Here is one with two nice bedrooms and a couple of good reception rooms, he said. “A telephone is installed free, and. also a refrigerating cabinet. The rent? Well, that particular flat is just

£5OO a year.” Asked if he had anything cheaper, he said he had a great number on his books at rents ranging from £2.io to £375 a year, but these had only one bedroom and one sitting room. They •were fitted, however, for wireless.