RENT RESTRICTION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 41, 12 November 1917, Page 6

RENT RESTRICTION

THE LAW EXPLAINED

PROTECTION FOR TENANTS

*Jn,» Lab? .? r department lag prepared for the guidance of toimnts in Wellington -and elsewhere a summary of the rehtwT > rece ? t 'l- by Pal ''i»nient, relating to rent restriction. The law stJr 1 ' 1 "" 1 If a dwelling was lot, either to tho , present tenant or any other tenant, on or before August 3, 1914, the following provisions apply i-fhe rant that may bo "< V the .landlord shall not exweed the rent at which it was lot on ±Tl 3 ' or if not let on that i ii '"e rent at which it was let prior to that date, except that if the dwelling house was at any time between August 3, 1914, and December 31,-1915, let at a lower rental, the rent now chargeable may, at the option of the tenant, he fcxed at that rate, provided that if ..the rent so fixed does not amount to 8 "per cent, on the capital value as on August 3, 1914, the rent may be in- ■ creased by the landlord to that amount, ihe oapltal value shall bo fixed bv agreement between the- tenant and the landlord (or his agent) or jjf thev fail to-agree, the tenant may apply'to a Magistrate to fix tho capital value, or if he so desires lie may request the inspeotor of Factories, on the form to be obtained at his offico, to havo the capital value fixed. The inspector will thereupon inquire into tho matter, and unless satisfied that the'rental charged by the landlord is not more than 8 per - cent, on its actual capital value as on August 3/181* he will make the application to the Magistrate on. behalf of the tenant. As soon as the oapital value is .so fixed, the inspector'will notify the tenant thereof. , If the dwelling was first let to a ten'nnt after August S, 1911 the rent chargeable shall be either tho rent at which it was first let, or at the ootion of the tenant, the lowest rent at which it was ''®1 19U 6011 August 3 ' 1914, and Dccsmlier The Act applies to any part of a, house , that is let as a dwolling house. Where a house (or port thereof) iR Jet with furniture, the rent chargeable may <be determined by a Magistrate on tho application of cither the tenant or an inspector on behalf of the tenant, and the Magistrate will thereupon fix the rent for the dwelling house (or ipart thereofhnnfurniahed, and for the furniture separately. 1 Section 5 of the Act of 1916 provides that so long 1 as the tenant pays the rent, i takes reasonable care of the premises, and does not commit •waste or cause a nuisance or annoyance ' to neighbouring occupiers he shall be entitled to remain in oossession as a tenant, unless the landlord requires tne dwelling for the occupation of himself or of some person in his employ, or unless the Court on application by the landlord grants an order for possession or ejectment "on some other ground .■•which may be deemed satisfactory by the Court." If the dwelling hou?o is sold the satae provisions apply respecting the new owner.