XN000022-1982-01-29 — Page 6

LA

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 1982

HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 GAZETTED

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A NUMBER OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE CONTROL OVER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND THE ALLIED PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME ARE CONTAINED IN THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982 PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

BECAUSE OF THE NEW PRICING POLICY UNDER WHICH LAND VALUES WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PRICES OF THE FLATS TO BE SOLD, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AIMS AT IMPOSING STRICTER RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF THE FLATS, AND GUARDING AGAINST ABUSES RELATING TO PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS AND TO SUBSEQUENT OCCUPATION OF THE FLATS.

THE BILL PROPOSES TO DOUBLE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE OF MAKING A FALSE DECLARATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR AN HOS FLAT, TO A FINE OF $200 000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT, AND TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR PROSECUTION OF A FLAT PURCHASER FROM SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR,

UPON CONVICTION OF AN HOS PURCHASER FOR MAKING A FALSE DECLARATION, THE COURT WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ORDER FORFEITURE OF THE FLAT CONCERNED OR AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL PRICE OF THE FLAT AND ITS MARKET VALUE AT THE DATE OF CONVICTION.

IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE FLATS SOLD ARE ACTUALLY TO BE USED BY THE PURCHASERS AND OTHER MEMBERS LISTED IN THE APPLICATION, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO EMPOWER THE STAFF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE OWNERS OF FLATS TO FURNISH INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR STATE OF OCCUPATION AND TO BE ABLE TO ENTER THE FLATS TO CHECK THEIR OCCUPATION POSITION AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.

THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR REFUSING OR NEGLECTING TO GIVE INFORMATION TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BE $10 000.

THE BILL ALSO DETAILS THE RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF THE FLATS. ANY FLAT OWNER WHO BREACHES THE RESTRICTIONS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE CF 2200 000 AND ONE YEAR IMPRISONMENT.

FURTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDED IN THE BILL ARE INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE PROCEDURE IN RELATION TO APPEALS AGAINST THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S DECISIONS TO TERMINATE TENANCIES, AND TO PROVIDE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE CONTROL OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S ESTATES.

ANOTHER PROVISION IS THE REMOVAL OF THE LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WHO YAY BE APPOINTED TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.