FAIR RENTS ACT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 190, 10 May 1944, Page 6

FAIR RENTS ACT

Housing Committee’s View

“While the Fair Rents legislation aiid city by-laws are necessary for the present time owing to the acute housing shortage, these measures are in a sense only scratching the surface of the problems involved,” states a bulletin issued by the Wellington Citizens’ Housing and Accommodation Committee. “Once the requisite number of houses have been built to accommodate all Wellingtons citizens, we think there will be little need for such provisions as are contained in the Fair Rents legislation. This legislation is now necessary only because the tenant is at a disadvantage compared with the landlord. “We realize, however, that till the shortage is overcome, these regulations are vitally necessary, and, indeed,’ re-, J quire strengthening in several important respects. Gur broad policy will be, therefore, to ensure that our building programme is put into operation and, in the meantime and as a temporary measure only, to strengthen the Fair Rents legislation.” ’ , ' , , The committee Set up last year to in-, 'vestigate the housing situation in Wellington has prepared detailed reports and suggestions for alleviating the present shortage. Large numbers of questionnaires have been issued to tenants in various types of dwelling units and reports received, relating to the housing position of Maoris and pensioners. Extracts from the full report will be presented to the citizens, of Wellington shortly ns part of the committee’s campaign -to bring its proposals to the notice of all candidates in the municipal elections.