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Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20493, 11 August 1936, Page 2

According to Auckland land agents and solicitors the Fair Rents Act is the chief cause of the weakening in the deman for house properties, a decided falling off in this class of business being noticeable in the building trade. Opinions are divided as to the causes of the slackening. Some ascribe it to holding back by persons proposing to build, until details of the Government’s housing scheme are announced. Others say that the rent restriction legislation is the cause; indeed, one architect has had the experience of five plan of dwellings being either deferred or abandoned because of the legislation. It is contended by some men that magistrates generally are not generous in fixing the return from rentals to a landlord. Tn Auckland It is stated that in a number ot instances landlords were permitted only 4 per cent on their equity, which was determined by magistrates in an apprlsal of the rents.