XN000022-1978-04-10 — Page 4

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MONDAY, APRIL 10, 1978

RENT OFFICER SCHEME

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THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT TODAY INTRODUCED A RENT OFFICER SCHEME TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH MATTERS RELATED TO LANDLORD AND TENANT LEGISLATION.

A NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL OFFICERS HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS RENT OFFICERS IN A RE-ORGANISATION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S RENT CONTROL DIVISION.

COMMENTING ON THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, THE COMMISSIONER, MR. R.A. FRY, SAID THAT RENT OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL ASSIST. THEM IN COMPLETING APPLICATION FORMS AND WITH PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE LEGISLATION.

RENT OFFICERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR MEASURING PRE-WAR BUILDINGS AFFECTED BY EXCLUSION ORDER PROCEEDINGS AND HELP TO ENSURE THAT TENANTS' RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION ARE PRESERVED. PRE-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ARE ALSO MEASURED FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES AND RENT OFFICERS ARRANGE FOR THE OCCUPIERS TO RECEIVE ADVANCE PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION,

MR. FRY EXPLAINED THAT RENT OFFICERS ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE, BUT WILL EXPLAIN PROCEDURES UNDER THE LEGISLATION AND WILL ASSIST WITH INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS.

AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME IS THE EXTENSION OF THE SERVICE INTO CERTAIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICES AT FIXED TIMES EACH WEEK TO PROVIDE A PERSONAL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE DIRECTOR OF HOME AFFAIRS HAS ARRANGED FOR RENT OFFICERS TO ATTEND CITY DISTRICT OFFICES ON THE FOLLOWING DAYS: CENTRAL. AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICES - TUESDAYS- SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE - WEDNESDAYS EASTERN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE - THURSDAYS* WONG TAI SIN CITY DISTRICT OFFICE - FRIDAYS.

THIS SERVICE IS INTENDED TO MEET THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE AGED AND INFIRM AND WILL GENERALLY PROVIDE AN IMPROVED SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE FOR RENT OFFICERS TO ASSIST AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND TOWN MANAGEMENT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHENEVER REQUIRED.

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