Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1961-1962 — Page 31

86. The rent of self-contained flats, the first block of which was completed in June, 1957, was calculated on the same basis, with the addition of rates, which are included in the rents and paid ‘en bloc' by the Department. These rents are $45 a month for a flat of 240 square feet and $65 a month for a flat of 360 square feet. In April, 1961, a new type of flat was introduced at the end of each wing of improved Mark II Resettlement 'H' Blocks on the first to sixth floors. These have a floor space of 310 square feet plus a private balcony. There are a kitchen and wash-basin but no private toilet. The monthly rent is $45.00 which is also inclusive of rates.

87. Ground floor rooms in estates which are let as shops or work- shops are charged a commercially graded rent of $80, $115, $150 and $200 a month for a shop of 240 square feet; $40, $57.50, $75 and $100 for one of 120 square feet; $100, $140, $190 and $250 for one of 310 square feet and $50, $70, $95 and $125 for one of 155 square feet. The rent of each shop is determined by the assessed value of its locality and site and is inclusive of rates.

88. Rents of units in a resettlement factory are calculated on a cost basis, as with domestic rooms, but the capital cost includes the full upset price of the land, and is repayable in twenty one years with compound interest at 5% p.a. Here again rates are included in the rent payable by tenants and are paid ‘en bloc' by the Department.

89. All rents are subject to a periodic review, which takes into account variations in the cost of construction and of maintenance and administration. It has been found, for instance, that building and recur- rent costs per multi-storey block are materially higher now, particularly for site formation, piling, administration expenses, and water supply, than in 1954 when existing scales of rents were introduced.

90. On 31st March, 1962, total capital expenditure on multi-storey estates, including buildings, site formation, piling and engineering works, amounted to $196,865,559 for 180 resettlement blocks and 6 factories, including a single storey annexe, all completed, and for 55 resettlement blocks and 5 factories still under construction. Total accommodation in the 180 domestic blocks constructed consisted of 79,265 standard size habitable rooms (which included 7,766 for letting as shops) and 1,075 flats.

91. Receipts for the year ending 31st March, 1962 amounted to $14,796,634. Of this sum permit fees in the cottage areas amounted to $968,260, rents from Government-owned cottages to $352,035 and the

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