FAIR RENTS LEGISLATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 20 October 1942, Page 4

FAIR RENTS LEGISLATION

AMENDMENT BILL INTRODUCED MANY IMPORTANT CLAUSES IT'rom Our Own Parliamentary Reporter 1 Wellington, This Day. All premises used for living purposes, except licensed hotels, are brought within the scope of the Fair Rents Legislation by the Amendment Bill introduced in the House of Representatives last night. The measure will operate for the duration of the war and a year afterwards. The Bill also contains a number of other important clauses including one making it an offence for a person to refuse to let a dwelling jf it is intended that a child shall live there. In explaining the measure the Attorney-General. Mr Mason. said that rooms had been covered from the beginning of the legislation but where attendance was provided the room was outside the scope of the legislation. Under the present Bill there was no reservation whatever as all dwellings were covered. The former ■ rent limitation of £3 weekly disappeared. Referring to business premises the Minister said that where they included living accommodation the legislation would operate. The Bill also corrected the position which arose when through letting the major part of a house the premises became legally business premises. The basis of fair rent was that existing on Ist September of this year. This would operate unless altered by substituting a rent agreed upon between the parties or with the concurrence of the inspector of factories, or as settled by a magistrate. An agreement between the parties could be reopened unless the inspector of factories had approved of it. this precaution being necessary to protect people who could not look | after themselves. Provision was being made, said the Minister, for the protection of sub-tenants where the landlord must have expected the premises to be sub-let. The Bill stipulates that where original tenancy is determined the subtenant shall be deemed to become the tenant on the same terms as he would have held from the original tenant.