New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-04-26

nossassion of an old unirnproved house. The
lessee not only refuses to look after the drain
age. to put in electric light or TO be at any eX-
pense for repairs. but even stipulates that the
tenants shall make a considerable investment IN
improving the property. When the plans for
the additions and alterations have been sub
mitted to the ground landlord his solicitor and
surveyor and duly sanctioned after the payment
OF numerous fees the incoming tenant is gra-
ciously allowed to improve the property AT his
own expense. He will also be compelled to re
organize the drainage system If it be condemned
by the sanitary authorities; and during his ten
ancy he will pay all the local taxes and keep the
! house in repair At the expiration of the lease
he will have to redecorate the house for the
next tenant. expanding probably a years rent.
and he will not receive any compensation for
the improvements; yet he will have largely in
creased the letting value of the premises. The
landlord. who has done nothing Will profit by
the improvements and raise the rent for the
next conner.
There is nothing unusual in this instance ex-
cept the stipulation for the improvements; and
there is thing lacking-the premium ordi-
narily exacted for the privilege of taking an
unfurnished house III a good situation. This is
a bonus paid at the outset when the lease is
signed. 1t is capitalized rent in lump sum
and cannot be recovered at the end OF the ten
ancy. 1t will be equalled exceeded finally
by the amount for which the tenant is liable
for lapidatons and decorations for the next
conner. Meanwhile he will have kept the house
In repair and have paid the local rates or taxes.
amounting a third of the nominal rent. If
the house has been improved during his ten
ancy it has been at his expense: and no allow
ance is made for it in the final settlement. II
the improvements of considerable value the
rent will be raised at the expiration of the
agreement. All these elements have to be taken
into consideration when the rentals of houses in
good localities are calculated; and when the
total is figured out the illusion is dispelled
that houses are cheap in London. They are ex-
celent investments for ground landlords and
lessees. but the occupers have TO pay heavily
for their privileges.
The exasperated tenant who relieves his feel
ings by recounting his in The Daily Mali
is quite right in his assertion that the law is
wholly the side of the landlord The ordi-
nary form OF agreement for an unfurnshcd
house in the West End of London covers a
period of twenty-one years: but it is commonly
subdvided at seven and fourteen years 1t re-
quires the tenant TO paint the exterior once in
three years and to renovate and redecorate the
interior once in seven years. improvements
may be stipulated for by contract, and in
variably made at the occupiers cost The
ground landlord is not taxed: the lessee or land
lord pays the house owners tax in the income
returns but is entirely relieved from the local
rates well as from all obligations for repairs
The occupier pays the inhabited house tax and
bears all the burdens of local taxation; and
when his tenancy expires he is under covenant
Ito do up the house for the next occupier and
to have a prolonged struggle with solicitors and
agents adaptations involving structural
changes and improvements. Law and custom
against him. The easeholders or landlords
protected at every point. The system re-
leases them from liability for taxation repairs
and improvements; and the outgoing tenant is
under obligation to put the house in order for
the next occupier. 1t enables them to receive
their rents without deductions from any source