FAIR RENTS BILL

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 217, 10 June 1936, Page 10

FAIR RENTS BILL

Amendments Made in the Council

TENANT AND LANDLORD MAY AGREE

Vital amendments, all of which except one emanated from the Government, were made by the Legislative Council during the committee stage on the Fair Rents Bill, which was passed yesterday by the Council. Amendments introduced by the Leader of the Council, Hon. M. Fagan, for the Government included one permitting landlords and tenants to agree, subject to the approval of the inspector of factories, upon a fair rental of any dwelling house. Another alteration to the Bill was made on the motion of the Hon. AV. Perry (Wellington). It provided for the restriction of the legislation to dwellings when the annual rent is not more than £156, instead of £2lO, as originally contemplated under the Bill. Mr. Perry pointed out that the intention of the legislation was to assist the occupier with modest means, and not so much the person who could afford to pay £2lO a year in rent. In accepting the amendment on behalf of the Government, Mr. Fagan said it was consistent with the purpose of the Bill—namely, to assist thoseson whom rents were bearing hardly. The decision of Mr. Fagan was greeted with applause from all parts of the Chamber. Referring to the provision enabling tenants and landlords to agree on the rental of a house, Mr. Fagan said that such agreement would have the same effect as an order made by a magistrate, and it would not deprive the tenant of any other benefits conferred under the Bill, principally those limiting the grounds for the recovery of possession or the restrictions on the right ot the landlord to distrain. Of particular interest to building societies, a further amendment by Mr. Fagan excluded from the operation of the Bill dwelling-houses sold under an • approved housing scheme, such as are undertaken by the societies, which provides for renting bouses on leases containing optional or compulsory purchasing clauses. Another amendment moved by Mt. Fagan provided that a landlord may obtain repossession of a dwelling by court order on the ground that he requires it for the use of a person tn his regular employ. This amendment was subject, however, to the provisions of the clause limiting the grounds for possession of a house, and means, in effect, that good reason must be advanced by the landlord for repossession. Another of Mr. Fagan's amendments, empowered a magistrate to grant a landlord leave to distrain for rent without lhe necessity of giving notice to the tenant. ./ Concerning the provision permitting landlords and tenants to agree on a rental, Mr. Fagan said the primary object of this amendment was to encourage conciliation among the parties. The Bill was read a third time and passed. ' The Distress and Replevin Amendment Bill was also passed, without amendment.