FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1974
NOTIFICATIONS OF SUB-LETTINGS
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LANDLORDS OF POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES WILL BE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO IDENTIFY THEIR SUB-TENANTS, UNDER NEW DRAFT LEGISLATION PUBLISHED TODAY.
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL MAKES A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO PART 11 OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE AND SEEKS, AMONG OTHER THINGS TO EMPOWER LANDLORDS TO OBTAIN FULL DETAILS OF ALL SUB-LETTINGS FROM THEIR TENANTS REGARDLESS OF THE DATES OF SUB-LETTINGS.
AT PRESENT, TENANTS ARE REQUIRED TO INFORM THEIR LANDLORDS OF ANY SUB-LETTING MADE AFTER DECEMBER 14, 1973. HOWEVER, TENANTS WILL, IN FUTURE, BE RELIEVED OF THE EXISTING OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY THEIR LANDLORDS OF ANY SUB-LETTING, THOUGH THEY MUST DO SO ON REQUEST FROM THEIR LANDLORDS AS PROVIDED IN' THE AMENDING LEGISLATION.
ALSO EMBODIED IN THE BILL IS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TO DEAL WITH A LANDLORD'S APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATES OF INCREASE IN RENT 21 DAYS AFTER THE APPLICATION IS RECEIVED.
AT PRESENT, THE COMMISSIONER IS REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH SUCH AN APPLICATION EITHER UPON RECEIVING THE TENANTS'S REPRESENTATIONS OR AFTER ONE MONTH FROM THE RECEIPT OF THE APPLICATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE AMENDING BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE RENT TRIBUNAL AND THE DISTRICT COURT, ON A REVIEW OR APPEAL, TO FIX THE DATE FROM WHICH ANY RENT INCREASE IS TO TAKE EFFECT.
THIS IS DESIGNED TO REMOVE ANY POSSIBLE DOUBT WHICH MAY HAVE ARISEN UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISION.
COMMENTING ON THE THE BILL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED TODAY THAT EXPERIENCE IN ADMINISTERING PART 11 OF THE ORDINANCE SINCE ITS RE-ENACTMENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO SHOWED THAT SOME MINOR CHANGES WERE DESIRABLE.
THE RE-ENACTMENT WAS CARRIED OUT TO PROVIDE SECURITY OF TENURE AND CONTROL OF RENT INCREASES IN RESPECT OF POST-WAR DOMESTIC BUILDINGS, HE ADDED.
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