XN000022-1974-03-29 — Page 8

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Friday, March 29, 1974

RATING COMMISSIONER TAKES OVER TENANCY INQUIRY BUREAUX FROM MONDAY

All tenancy matters concerning both pre-war and post-war

buildings, will become the responsibility of the Commissioner of Rating

and Valuation with effect from Monday (April 1) when he takes over the

running of the Tenancy Inquiry Bureaux.

As from that date, all communications about tenancy matters

should be addressed to the Commissioner at No. 1 Garden Road, Hong Kong.

Under the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) Bill

1974 which was passed in Legislative Council this Wednesday, the Bureaux

are to be transferred from the Hone Affairs Department to the Rating

and Valuation Department for operational reasons.

The Tenancy Inquiry Bureaux perform certain duties and provide

a service to the public on tenancies in pre-war buildings.

Since its establishment, however, the major part of the government's

responsibility in domestic tenancy matters has shifted to post-war premises, and has been carried out by the Commissioner of Rating and

Valuation.

Apart from authorisation of rent increases, and giving advice

in rent control matters on post-war buildings, the Commissionier also

performs certain duties relating to pre-war tenements.

On the grounds of both efficiency and service to the public,

it is considered, therefore, that tenancy matters concerning both pre-war

and post-war premises should come under the Rating and Valuation Department,

who now has the largest share of this work.

/The Commissioner ..............