ENG-1965 — Page 176

LAND AND HOUSING

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devised as an administrative measure to help tenants of dangerous buildings to face multiple difficulties incurred as a result of their being evicted from their homes and usual ways of living at very short or in cases of emergency-no prior notice. With their compensation tenants can build a hut in a resite area or use part of the money as a rent advance to obtain accommodation in a resettlement estate.

The Tenancy (Prolonged Duration) Ordinance of 1952 gave limited security of tenure to certain tenants of new buildings who entered into verbal tenancy agreements often involving quite sub- stantial lump sum payments. In 1963, the three-year security under this ordinance was extended to five years for new tenancies com- mencing after 1st July 1963. Increases in rents in 1961 and in the early part of 1962 resulted in the enactment of the Tenancy (Notice of Termination) Ordinance, which came into force on 14th April 1962. Because many tenancies are monthly on a word of mouth basis, this ordinance (with certain exceptions) extended the period required for termination of domestic and business tenancies to six months' written notice. The ordinance was amended in October 1962 so that tenancies affected by it enjoyed general security of tenure up to 30th June 1963. Domestic tenancies were given further security of tenure for two years from 1st July 1963 following en- actment of the 1963 Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Ordinance, but for business premises general security of tenure- apart from the obligatory six months' notice of termination ended on 30th June 1963.

The 1963 Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Ordinance deals with rent increase control rather than rent control and does not apply to initial lettings. Landlords and tenants are also free to agree to any increase in rent, but such agreements require endor- sement by the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation. No increase in rent is allowed, other than by agreement, in the two years follow- ing commencement of a tenancy or in the two years after an increase in rent. Where rent is increased, security of tenure for two years (subject to ordinary tenancy requirements being met) is assured. It had previously been the government's intention to renew this ordinance, which was due to expire on 30th June 1965, for a further two years. However, in view of the increased number of properties available for renting, together with a general lowering of rent