ENG-1973 — Page 154

LAND AND HOUSING

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drainage. During the year some 421 buildings were closed and demolished, compared with 374 buildings in 1972; and 645 repair notices were served, against 710 the previous year.

Due to the high pressure of work in the Buildings Ordinance Office, action in connection with unauthorised building works had to be curtailed considerably. How- ever, because of a number of small fires in a large residential block in King's Road, a survey of the building was carried out in January, disclosing many blocked escape routes and a large number of illegal structures. Notices under the Buildings Ordinance were served on respective owners requiring them to reinstate the building to its condition when it was certified for occupation. This action was extensively publicised as a warning to the public. During 1973, some 1,722 notices were served, compared with 186 for 1972.

During the year one registered contractor was successfully prosecuted for contravention of the Buildings Ordinance. Disciplinary proceedings were instituted by the Building Authority against eight architects and seven registered contractors for similar reasons. One appeal was heard against the decision made by the Building Authority under the Buildings Ordinance which resulted in a judgment being given in favour of the appellant.

Rent Control

On December 31, 1972 all existing legislation affecting the relationship of land- lord and tenant was consolidated into one ordinance—the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance. Previous ordinances then formed parts of the consolidat- ed ordinance. Therefore, where reference to ordinances is made in the following paragraphs, the relevant 'part' of the consolidated ordinance is shown in brackets.

Legislation controlling rents and providing security of tenure was instituted by proclamation immediately after World War II and was later embodied in 1947 in the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (Part I). It applied to both domestic and business premises and restricted rents by reference to pre-war levels, while excluding new and substantially reconstructed buildings from control. Following an amendment in 1953, permitted increases in standard rents were raised to 55 per cent for domestic premises and 150 per cent for business premises, at which level they have remained ever since.

There is provision in the legislation for the exclusion of pre-war premises where redevelopment is intended. Such exclusions are made on the recommendation of a Tenancy Tribunal, by order of the Governor or the Governor in Council in the case of an appeal. The payment of compensation to tenants dispossessed is almost in- variably a condition to the grant of an Exclusion Order. During 1973, 146 such orders were approved, involving 422 buildings. A legislative amendment in 1968 provided that, subject to the agreement being certified by the Secretariat for Home Affairs, a tenant may accept compensation from his landlord in return for vacant possession of his premises: 776 agreements under this provision were certified during 1973.

The 1953 amending legislation also provided for the establishment as part of the Secretariat for Home Affairs of two tenancy enquiry bureaux, one in Hong Kong