XN000022-1973-12-13 — Page 3

IN

Thursday, December 13, 1973

Copies of a simple booklet explaining the main points of the

Ordinance will be available free of charge from next week at the Rating

and Valuation Department, City District Offices, Tenancy Enquiry Bureaux

and District Offices in the New Territories. Forms to be used under the

new Ordinance will also be available at these places.

Members of the public are urged to obtain copies of the boo!let

if they are not clear about the new legislation.

The new Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) (No. 2)

Ordinance covers virtually all existing domestic tenancies in post-war

premises; and provides existing tenants with security of tenure up to

December 15, 1976.

Among others, the Ordinance:

does not control tenancies in new buildings certified

for occupation after December 14, 1973.

invalidates any agreement between landlords and

tenants to contract out of the control of the

legislation;

allows landlords and tenants to agree freely to any

rent increase;

provides, failing agreement, for the landlord to

apply to the Rating and Valuation Department for a

certificate of rent increase;

sets the limit of rent increase to one-fifth of the

difference between the current rent and the fair

market rent; the latter to be assessed by the

/department