HOUSE PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 128, 3 June 1919, Page 2

HOUSE PROBLEM

TO THE EDIIOU. Sir,—Kindly permit me to make a few remarks regarding the housing pi'oblem. Many of our best citizens arc quite distracted in their endeavour to get a, suitable house, to live in ; those tenants already in occupation of dwellings ars living in daily dread of a notice to quit. Not that they are bad tenants, but simply because owners are out to take advantage of the present great demands for houses of all kinds, and rents are raised, and the owners want the houses for relatives, for themselves, or to sell. These loopholes the law seems to allow, regardless of the fact that there are not any available houses in Wellington for the unfortunate people to move into. The owners were agreeable _ (when it suited them) to let the premises, and tenants moved in at considerable expense, and often damage to furniture. Then there is quite a week of hard work cleaning up the premises; they have hardly time to get settled when they have to be on the move again, and more expense and worry in view. Now it seems to me that when the owner is to benefit so much that he turns a good tenant out of his house, he should be compelled to _ pay him compensation, also to find a suitable house for him to live in. Many of the dwellings are out of repair and people are afraid to ask for the necessary work to be done; it mean 6an increase of rent, or they are told the \ place will be sold. All houses should be inspected before they are allowed to be let, and they could be inspected before the tenant left. This would protect the owner, for I am not in sympathy with the dirty or destructive tenant. Then there is the bonus question; where the landlord, not satisfied with the high rente obtainable, demands a bonus as well. I cannot understand why these tilings are allowed to continue. No tradesman or poorlypaid Civil, servant can cope with this difficulty; added to the high cost of foodstuffs, firing, and not forgetting, the gas. Something must be done towards1 providing more homes for the people. Concrete houses could be tried, and I notice plenty of ground to build upon even in the centra of the city. In one part there is a row of dilapidated shops, which have been empty for many years and must be a harbour for rats; yet they aro allowed to remain an eyesore to those living in the vicinity and those passing by. The Government should have power to confiscate such properties, demolish the buildings, and erect 'decent cottages thereon. More practical sympathy is required to make tho people contented, so that we can have a happy and peaceful future to look forward to after all the horrors of war.—l am, etc., VOX POPULI.