146
LAND AND HOUSING
must view the rate of compensation in relation to the enhanced value of the site which can then be redeveloped. The falling off in the rate of redevelopment since 1964 is reflected in the small number of exclusion orders made, 25 in 1966, 17 in 1967 and 11 in 1968.
Since 1953 two tenancy enquiry bureaux, one each in Hong Kong and Kowloon, have operated as part of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs to help in the smooth working of the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. The principal task of the bureaux is to supply factual information to tenancy tribunals when a landlord applies for an exclusion order, or a tenant seeks reduction of rent. During the year the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance was amended to permit agree- ments by which a tenant of protected premises may accept com- pensation from his landlord in return for vacating the premises, subject to the agreement being certified as voluntary by the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. This task is undertaken by the tenancy enquiry bureaux, which also give general advice and assistance to the public on tenancy matters, particularly on the legislation. Since 1964 the bureaux have been responsible for paying interest-free loans to tenants of pre-war premises which are declared dangerous and closed by the Building Authority. This scheme helps such tenants to meet the expenses which inevitably arise out of eviction at short notice, pending the eventual award by a tenancy tribunal of compensation payable by the landlord under the Demolished Buildings (Redevelopment of Sites) Ordinance. Loans for this purpose totalled $1,015,020 in 1968; the number of cases of this kind has also dwindled considerably in recent years, as relatively few old buildings still remain.
The Tenancy (Prolonged Duration) Ordinance 1952, gave three- year security of tenure to tenants of post-war buildings who had paid lump sum premiums on their first occupancy. This security was extended to five years for new tenancies beginning after July 1, 1963. General increases in rents of post-war buildings resulted in the enactment of the Tenancy (Notice of Termination) Ordinance 1962, which required six months' written notice to be given for termination of tenancies. Control of rent increases in respect of domestic premises was instituted in 1963 when new accommodation was scarce and rents were high. This control was removed in 1966 as the situation had eased considerably by that time.