XN000022-1983-04-15 — Page 4

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1983

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THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING PROVISION PROHIBITING THE LETTING AND SELLING OF PREMISES FOLLOWING RECOVERY OF POSSESSION FOR SELF-OCCUPATION OR REDEVELOPMENT.

+UNDER THE NEW PROVISION, THE PROHIBITION WILL BE IN FORCE BOTH DURING THE PERIOD OF STAY OF EXECUTION OF THE POSSESSION ORDER AND 24 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF DELIVERY OF VACANT POSSESSION BY THE TENANT, HE EXPLAINED. IN ADDITION, THE MISUSE OF PREMISES FOLLOWING RECOVERY OF POSSESSION WILL BE PROHIBITED, AND THE LANDLORD WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO USE SUCH PREMISES FOR ANY PURPOSE OTHER THAN AS A RESIDENCE FOR THE PERSON FOR WHOM POSSESSION WAS OBTAINED.+

AS A FURTHER FORM OF PROTECTION, HARASSMENT WITH INTENT TO INDUCE A TENANT TO QUIT WOULD BECOME A CRIMINAL OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE. ANYONE CONVICTED OF S

ANYONE CONVICTED OF SUCH AN OFFENCE WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500 000 AND, ON A SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION, TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS.

MR LIAO SAID ANYONE WHO HAD ANY QUERIES CONCERNING THEIR OWN POSITION COULD SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM RENT OFFICERS AT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT OR DISTRICT OFFICES.

LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983

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A BILL TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE LANDS TRIBUNAL AND TO IMPROVE MATTERS OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT ITS NEXT SITTING ON APRIL 27 FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING. THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING OF THE BILL WILL TAKE PLACE ON MAY 25.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY DIRECT THEIR VIEWS ON THE BILL TO UMELCO OR THE HOUSING BRANCH.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PROVISION IN THE BILL ENABLES THE TRIBUNAL TO DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS FOR POSSESSION DURING THE CONTRACTUAL PERIOD.

UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE TRIBUNAL IS OBLIGED TO REFER A LANDLORD WHO IS ENTITLED TO POSSESSION UNDER THE CONTRACTUAL TENANCY TO THE DISTRICT COURT OR THE HIGH COURT IN CASES WHERE THE TRIBUNAL FINDS THAT THE MATTER DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.

+THE PROPOSED PROVISION STREAMLINES THE JUDICIAL ARRANGEMENT AND AVOIDS THE WASTE OF COST AND TIME TO THE BENEFIT OF BOTH LANDLORDS AND TENANTS,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE TRIBUNAL TO MAKE ORDERS FOR PAYMENT AND INTERIM PAYMENT OF RENT AND MESNE PROFITS.

THE BILL CONTAINS A NUMBER OF OTHER PROVISIONS, WHICH ARE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

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