XN000022-1973-06-06 — Page 3

Wednesday, June 6, 1973

TEMPORARY RENT FREEZE ON UNPROTECTED DOMESTIC PREMISES

Longer-Term Measures Being Drafted

A temporary standstill is to be imposed, as from tomorrow

(Thursday), on rents for all post-war domestic premises which are not

covered under the existing rent control legislation.

The measure is contained in the Domestic Premises (Tenure and Rent) (Temporary Provisions) Bill 1973, which passed all three readings

in the Legislative Council today.

In effect, the introduction of the new holding legislation

coupled with the existing Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control

Ordinance, which was introduced in 1970

means that all domestic tenants

are now protected against exorbitant rent increases.

The new legislation is designed as a temporary measure pending the

introduction of longer-term measures, probably next month.

The new law stipulates that a domestic tenant cannot, in normal

circumstances, be evicted nor can his rent be increased, notwithstanding

any agreement to the contrary.

It also introduces new penal provisions to deal with landlords who demand or receive rent in excess of that which is legally payable at

A landlord on conviction may be liable

the commencement of the Ordinance.

to a fine of $4,000.

The new