ENG-1966 — Page 189

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LAND AND HOUSING

The Housing Board set up in 1965 submitted its first report to the government in 1966. Under the chairmanship of Mr K. A. Watson, an unofficial member of the Legislative Council, the board has a membership of four other unofficial members with housing or sociological experience and six official members concerned with housing matters. The term of office is three years.

RENT CONTROL

Rent control, instituted by proclamation immediately after the war, was embodied in the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance in 1947. This restricted rent by reference to pre-war figures and at the same time freed new and substantially reconstructed buildings from control. Thus, the broad distinction between controlled and un- controlled-premises lies in whether they are pre-war or post-war buildings. The 1947 ordinance allowed increases beyond standard rent of 30 per cent in the case of domestic premises and 45 per cent in the case of business premises. This figure of 45 per cent became 100 per cent in 1949; through further amending legislation in 1953, the 30 per cent rose to 55 per cent while the 100 per cent advanced in two stages to 150 per cent. These increases-55 per cent for domestic premises and 150 per cent for business premises- still stand.

Redevelopment of pre-war buildings is covered by an important provision in the ordinance whereby premises may be excluded from its operation. This power rests with the Governor in Council and, in relation to particular premises, can be exercised only after a recommendation from a tenancy tribunal. Tribunals follow the criterion of public interest and award compensation to tenants based on the hardship which dispossession will cause them. Such compensation recommended by tenancy tribunals during 1966 totalled $3,758,193. The rate of compensation must be viewed in relation to the enhanced value of the land resulting from the freedom to rebuild thus acquired. In 1965, a considerable falling off in the rate of development had already been felt. This year's figure represents a further drop by 80 per cent as compared with the figure of $18,825,592 for 1965 and by 96 per cent as compared with the figure of $98,166,305 for 1964. This downward trend is further reflected in the fact that a total of 885 exclusion orders were made in 1964, 200 in 1965, and only 25 in 1966.