FAIR RENTS ACT

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20920, 27 September 1939, Page 11

FAIR RENTS ACT

SHOPS AND FLATS INCLUDED NO INCREASE AFTER AUGUST 1 NEW GROUNDS FOR POSSESSION (By TelerrspS.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON, Tuesday Shops and flats are brought within the scope of the Fair Rents Act by an amending Bill which was introduced just before the adjournment of the House of Representatives to-night. The Bill also extend the operation of the main Act for another year. It was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Although shops and flats are brought within the scope of the legislation, it will not apply to flats let for the first time after the passing of the Bill, flats which have not been let since June 1, flats let at an annual rental of more than £156, or flats which have been let at more than that rental since June 1 of this year. The rent at which shops or flats were let on June 1, or the nearest date before or after that date, is to be the basic rent, and any increase made since August 1 is made ineffective in spite of anything to the contrary in any agreement. This does not apply to premises for which a fair rent has been fixed in accordance with the principal Act. The principal Act is amended to include in the grounds for recovery of possession the condition that the premises are reasonably required by the landlord for demolition or reconstruction.

The Bill also gives power to make regulations controlling charges for residential accommodation.