With all the problems of housing around Wellingtion in recent years, and lack of action by civic authorities, we would like to warn other tenants about seemingly 'do-good' local body officials with whom we have recently had some experience.

These people, hinging that what they are doing is for your benefit, enter flats and take down details as to the number of tenants, rooms, and general living conditions. It appears, or so we have been told, that more than five people in a flat (which they classify as one tenant and his boarders) constitutes a boarding house, and is thus subject to severe fire prevention regulations which most landlords cannot afford They are therefore forced to restrict number in flats to five (a family wants as one tenant).

We have a flat with six bedrooms but are "legally" allowed only five tenants, and but for a sympathetic landlord some of us would have had to leave. Our extra tenants are now termed 'guests' to avoid regulations.

So instead of the local authorities providing additional accommodation, they are imposing petty, rules, and causing even more evictions. Some people may now find they are guests in their own homes.

"1 tenant, 4 boarders, and 2 guests."