RENT RESTRICTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1917, Page 3

RENT RESTRICTION.

OF INTEREST TO TENANTS. EFFECT AND SCOPE OF WAR - LEGISLATION. The following explanatory notes for the guidance of tenants are supplied by the Department of Labor: If the dwelling was let (to „ier the present or any other tenant) on or before August 3, 1914, the following provisions apply: The rent that may be charged by the landlord shall not exceed the rent at which it was let on 3/8/14; or, if not let on that date, the rent at which it was last let prior to that date, except that if the dwellinghouse was at any time lietweeu 3/8/14 and 31/12/15 let at a lower rental, the rent now chargeable may, at the option of the tenant, be fixed at that rate. Provided that if the rent po fixed does not amount to 8 per cent, on the capital value as on 3/8/14, the rent may be increased by the landlord to that amnont.

The capital value shall be fixed by agreement between the tenant and the landlord (or his agent), or, if they fail to agree, the tenant may apply to a magistrate to fix the capital value, or, if he so desires, he may request the Inspector of Factories, on the Form "El," to be obtained at his office, to have the capital valued fixed. The inspector will thereupon inquire into the 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 3/B'l4, he will make the application to the magistrate on behalf of the tenant. As soon as the capital value is so fixed, the inspector will notify the tenant thereof. If the dwelling was first let to a tenant after the 3/S/'l4, the rent chargeable shall be either the rent at which it was first let, or, at .the option of the tenant, the lowest rent at which it was let between 3/8/'l4 and 31/12/'ls.

The Act. applies to any part of a house that is let as a dwellinghouse. Where a dwellinghouse (or part thereof) is let with furniture, the rent chargeable may be determined by a magistrate on the application of either the tenant or an inspector on behalf of the tenant, and the magistrate w'ill thereupon fix the rent for the dwellinghouse (or part thereof) unfurnished and for the furniture separately. Section 5 of the Act of 1918 provides that so long as the tenant pays the "standard rent," takes reasonable care of the premises, and does not comJrait waste or cause a nuisance or annoyance to neighboring occupiers, he shall be entitled to remain in possession as a tenant, unless the landlord requires the 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 dwellinghouse is sold the same provisions apply respecting the new owner.