XN000022-1972-11-28 — Page 2

- 2

Tuesday, November 28, 1972

Mr. Fry said that rents of tenancies protected under the Rent Increases

(Domestic Premises) Control Ordinance cannot be increased as a result of the

revised rating position but, if the tenant has already agreed to be responsible

for rates, he will be required to pay the increased charges.

Where premises are let on an inclusive rates basis, which is the

normal letting basis for the smaller domestic flats, the landlord is responsible

for rates payments.

"The Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Ordinance does not

apply to those tenancies entered in the valuation list declared on March 5,

1970 at a rateable value of $15,000 or more and the position will not change

with the new valuation list", Mr. Fry said.

"The $15,000 limit will continue to refer to the rateable values

contained in the old valuation list declared on March 5, 1970", he added.

Mr. Fry pointed out that rates payable by tenants of resettlement

domestic flats are not affected by the present review of rateable values, as

the amount of rates payable in respect of such flats is specified in Resettlement

Regulations.

A careful review of domestic premises owned by the Hong Kong Housing

Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society as well as domestic premises in

Government low-cost housing estates and other low-cost housing estates, has

resulted in substantial increases in rateable values, bringing them into line

with unsubsidized private accommodation.

/As domestic