XN000022-1974-03-20 — Page 9

Wednesday, March 20, 1974

SHOP TENANCY CONDITIONS SIMPLIFIED

Conditions of tenancy for shop operators in Group B estates

were made public today by the Housing Authority.

These conditions, which are similar to those contained in the

existing tenancy cards, have been simplified and worded in layman's

language for the benefit of shop keepers.

The Authority has carefully considered them to ensure that

tenants' fear of a threat to their security of tenure is completely removed.

The only major change concerns transfer of tenancies other than

by succession and inheritance.

Such transfers must be made by surrendering the tenancy to the

Authority, which will then re-let the premises by inviting public tenders

through advertisements. The re-letting premium will go to the outgoing tenant.

"This new arrangement will completely remove any possible scope

for irregularities and will also likely produce a higher premium for the

outgoing tenant as the incoming tenant will no longer have to be an estate

resident as previously reqired," a Housing Authority spokesman said.

He added that during a tenant's lifetime or on his death, his

tenancy may be transferred to a member of his family or his lawful successor,

subject to the approval of the Authority in writing.

In the meanwhile, the Housing Department has written to the 10,000-odd

shop operators in the various estates informing them of the conditions of the

tenancy agreement.

Mr. Donald Liao, Director of Housing, emphasised that the introduction

of the agreement was purely to improve management,

"It is not the Authority's aim or intention to deprive tenants

of any of the privileges they have been enjoying," he said.

The conditions .....