EMERGENCY HOUSE SPACE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 23, 27 July 1945, Page 6

EMERGENCY HOUSE SPACE

Though there are objections to allowing any persons to contract themselves out of the law, we hope the Government will thoroughly explore the request of Mr. Aderman to waive some of the provisions of the Fair; Rents Act where emergency accommodation may thereby be provided for returned servicemen. There are probably many houses in which people could be given temporary accommodation, but house owners are reluctant to take a tenant in if they cannot get him or her out except by a tiresome and difficult process. Such house owners are willing to help, but not willing to face possible unpleasantness and litigation. The Fair Rents Act is much in favour of the tenant, and' it is argued that this is necessary to balance the housing position which otherwise would be much in favour of the house owner. But if help in correcting the balance can be given by providing more accommodation, the tenant can well afford to forgo some of the protection. Th 3 safeguards suggested by Mr. Aderman would limit the application of the special contracts and effectively prevent any breakdown of the general tenancy protection. In the existing emergency there is every reason for taking any step of this kind that promises to ease the housing position.