State control alleged

Press, 14 November 1984, Page 9

State control alleged

PA Wellington The Government was trying to bring about total and permanent State cbntrol of the private rental market, said National’s spokesman on housing, Mr Tony Friedlander, yesterday. The Minister of Housing, Mr Goff said on Monday that he intended to introduce legislation to replace the welter of statutes and regulations governing the residential rental market But Mr Friedlander said it was clear that Mr Goff proposed legislation which would have the Rent Appeal Board totally control all private sector rental agreements. _____ ■

“Under the guise of consolidating the tenancy legislation, the Labour Party is intending to set up machinery to bring about total and permanent State control of the private sector residential rental market,” he said. “By greatly expanding the authority of the Rent Appeal Board and the Housing Corporation into wide-rang-ing rent fixing, holding of bond moneys, mediation and sitting' in judgment on disputes, the Labour Party is putting in place the framework for total State control.” Mr Goff said that he regretted Mr Friedlander’s "extravagant and inaccur-

ate” comments. “I hope the National Party will heed the advice of Mr George Gair (National, North Shore) not to automatically ’ oppose everything the Labour Government introduces,” he said. “I believe the Residential Tenancies Act will contain a great deal of common sense which should attract a bipartisan approach In Parliament.”-

Mr Goff said that the suggested contents of the act had already received support from both landlord and tenant groups. “The measures to be implemented in the act are the result of extensive consultations and discussions with individuals and representatives of both tenant and landlord groups. There is over-all support for the concept of tenancy tribunals which will be independent bodies intended to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants promptly and cheaply,” he said.