XN000022-1981-06-19 — Page 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1981

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THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO RELAX THE TIME LIMIT IMPOSED IN CASES WHERE AN AGREEMENT OF RENT INCREASE BETWEEN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT HAS TO BE LODGED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION.

+AT PRESENT, THE PROVISIONS PERMIT A LANDLORD AND TENANT TO AGREE ON ANY RENT INCREASE WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, AS LONG AS THE COMMISSIONER IS NOTIFIED OF THE INCREASE. HOWEVER, THIS IS SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTION THAT THE NOTICE MUST BE LODGED WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE INCREASE IN RENT TAKING EFFECT, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

+ IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THIS ARRANGEMENT, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE NOTICE MAY BE LODGED UP TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE OR ONE MONTH AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE INCREASE.+

ANOTHER AMENDMENT WHICH THE BILL SEEKS TO INTRODUCE IS RELATED TO THE REQUIREMENT OF GIVING A MINIMUM NOTICE OF TERMINATION IN RESPECT OF PREMISES NOT SUBJECT TO RENT CONTROL.

+UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS, THE MINIMUM LENGTH OF NOTICE REQUIRED FOR TERMINATING A DOMESTIC AND BUSINESS TENANCY IS 12 AND SIX MONTHS RESPECTIVELY.+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN. THE BILL NOW PROPOSES TO IMPOSE A UNIFORM REQUIREMENT FOR A SIX-MONTH NOTICE OF TERMINATION REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT CONCERNS A DOMESTIC OR BUSINESS TENANCY.+

THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THAT THE BILL WOULD ALSO EXCLUDE TENANCIES HELD FROM THE HONG KONG SETTLERS HOUSING CORPORATION LTD. FROM THE FURTHER APPLICATION OF PART 1 OF THE ORDINANCE.

THE SPOKESMAN CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT RENT CONTROL LEGISLATION IS INEVITABLY COMPLEX, AND URGED ANYONE WHO HAD ANY QUERIES CONCERNING THEIR OWN POSITION EITHER TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE, OR APPROACH RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AT THE IR LOCAL CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, DISTRICT OFFICE, OR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT, FOR ASSISTANCE.

ZONING PLAN CHANGES PUBLISHED

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THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT URBAN RENEWAL DISTRICT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, RETITLED SAI YING PUN AND SHEUNG WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.

THE AMENDED PLAN INCORPORATES A RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 32 HECTARES. IT IS PLANNED TO PROVIDE OPEN SPACE AND GOVERNMENT/ INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES (G/IC) AS WELL AS INDUSTRIAL LAND AND CARGO HANDLING AREAS FOR THE REPROVISION ING OF EXISTING FACILITIES ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.

/A SPOKESMAN