The Washington herald., 1921-01-20
RENTS GOING UP
THROUGHOUT U. S.
Washington One of Few Cities
In Which Decrease Is
Predictd.
(By United Press,

(By United PreSs.)
Rents are not coming down gem
orally. This was shown yesterday in
United Press dispatches from cities
throughout the country. which re-
ported landlords planning to in
crease rather than reduce dwelling
rentals. Only two cities. Detroit and
Cleveland, reported decreases in
rents. These were for cheaper
apartments. and in the latter city
were offset by a corresponding in
crease for higher priced places. The
situation in Detroit resulted from
jobless automobile workers leaving
the city, creating numerous Vacan-
cies.
In New York and Milwaukee some
rents have been fOrciby reduced
through the operation OF State hous-
ing laws.
The housing shortage is RESPONSE
BILE for high rents. according to tn =
landlords, and because of the high
prices and alleged scarcity of build
ing materials many of them. nota-
bly, in Chicago and Boston, predicted
rents would not come down for five
to eight years.
The present situation was report
ed as follows:
Washington - George NJ. Myers,
housing authority, said purchase
price of homes probably would be
reduced 25 per cent in the spring,
but that present rent levels prob
ably would continue for several
months.
New York-Courts have averaged
900 rent cases daily since State
~
tober, placing upon the landlord the
burden of proving justification OF
any increase and preventing eviC-
tion pending adjudication. In most
instances a slight increase is al
lowed. though a few reductions
have been ordered. Landlords con-
tinue trying to raise rents and will
make a concerted fight for repeal
of the rent laws at the present ses-
sion of the legislature.
Chicago-J. r. Patterson, presi.
dent of the Chicago Tenants Pro
not come down for five years and
legislature passes a bill authorizing
cities to regulate rentals.
Boston-Leading real estate deal
next summer because of housing
shortage and return to normal con-
ditions cannot be expected for seven
or eight years.
Detroit-Automobi workers, out
of employment, have left the city
in great numbers. creating a sur
plus in moderate priced apartments
and resulting in rent reductions
from IS to s25 a month
Cleveland-Slight rent reductions
have been made in poorer districts
but better apartments are generally
higher. Real estate men said law
OF supply and demand would keep
rents up for at least a year.
Milwaukee-Rent reductions have
been ordered under State laws in
isolated cases.
Pittsburgh-Land ndlords predicted
rent increases averaging 5 per cent
because of increased apartment
shortage. Tenants help increases
by bidding against each other. No
relief looked for inside Of two years.
Kansas City. c. Nichols, real
estate operator, said rents cannot
come down until costs of building
materials and labor are reduced.
until May.
Observation-Disclosures in, rents
will follow increased building but
this is not expected for several
months. according to w. B. Kelly,
secretary ofNthe Philadelphia Real
Estate Board. F- r.-.
st. Louis-T. S. Gerhart, real estate
man, said no rent reductions were
expected this spring but may come
year later IL the building schedule
is carried out.
Atlanta-Rents will remain high
until next fall. at least, according
to real estate dealers.
Cincinnati-Real estate brokers
believe no rent reductions, are pos
sible In less than a year.
st. Paul-Tenants, facing the pros
pect of continued high rents. are
building great numbers of cottages
San Francisco-w. Stevens. man.
ager of the largest renting concern
in the city. said there was mot the
slightest possibility of rents COM
ing down this spring