RENT RESTRICIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1930, Page 6

RENT RESTRICIONS

'' 'EXISTING' LAW ; EXPENDED: ; WELLINGTON]- T 9, f<j An extension tjfe'. existing law for it furtbear'“twelvemonths is' provided for in the Rent Restriction ißiffi, which was read for a first time ill the House of Representatives this ' afternoon. The- 'present Act expires-, at the end of the preseno month. The' legislation -afflec^s. .'only, those dwelling -houses to which it is expressly applied by an order of the Magistrate’s Court on the application of the respective tenants. It does not apply to houses built before that date for occupancy by tenants for the first time since then. In those cases to which the Act is applicable a landlord is entitled to claim an annual . net rent of seven per cent of the present capital value of the house after all rates and other outgoings have been deducted. i f v , ; T'-c Bill eontajns an amendment, to the Housing Amendment Act of 192122 giving a Magistrate power to grant an order oLqieHniont “on some other ground vbic(i priay be deemed; satis-, factory to the- Court.” This is to cover cases I vvlierc a landlord desires to demolish the existing house aiid erect in its place business or other premises. At the present time the landlord cannot obtain possession for such a purpose if the dwelling comes within the provision of the rent restriction legislation. This enlargement of the powers of landlords is desirable, particularly in rapidly expanding cities; and in localities where many houses at present in a dilapidated condition and an eyesore would be replaced by modern structures- in conformity with surrounding development in the event of the landlords acquiring possession.