FAIR RENTS ACT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21001, 1 April 1938, Page 13

FAIR RENTS ACT

MAGISTERIAL STATEMENT By Telegraph—Press Association BLENHEIM, March 31. "In my opinion the Act doesn’t require the landlord to show that there is available to the tenant another dwelling-house in just as convenient a locality for the tenant as that In which he is residing,” stated Mr H. E. Maunsell, S.M., In his - reserved decision in a case in which Eva May Kicholls, a spinster, of Blenheim, sought to recover a house occupied by George Henry Eugene Hills, a commercial traveller, of Blenheim. “Were this so, the landlord’s position would be practically hopeless, especially in large centres,” the Magistrate added. “The object of the Act is to prevent people who don’t own a home from being deprived of a home substantially reasonable and suitable to their needs. Tenants mustn't be fastidious.” The facts disclosed were that plaintiff purchased a house for her own use, but Hills declined to vacate it until a suitable, similar house was found for him. An offer was made by plaintiff’s brother of a house half a mile over the borough boundary, but after inspection Hills raised objections regarding size, rent and security. These were largely met, and the dispute finally centred on the’question of location, which was not so handy to town. The Magistrate incidentally remarked that there were no reasons why plaintiff should not let the portion unrequired by herself. He gave judgment that there would be no real hardship on defendant if an order were made for possession. Rather, there would be a hardship on the plaintiff if she were refused an order, as she was living in small rooms and depended on the kindness of neighbours. An order was accordingly made.