TO PROTECT BOARDERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1939, Page 2

TO PROTECT BOARDERS

WELLINGTON REGULATIONS

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, November 3. Regulations issued under the FaitRents Amendment Act and designed to prevent expliotation of regulai oc cupants of boarding-houses and hotels in Wellington and adjacent districts durng the period of. the Exhibition, were, issued to-day. The regulations lay down as a standard charge the charge as at June 1 last. They do not cover casual accommodation. * “Numerous complaints have been received by the Department of Labour from boarders in boarding-houses and hotels regarding increased charges to be made during the period of the Exhibitioii. in the Wellington district, said Mr. Mason (Attorney-General). “The regulations apply only to residential accommodation afforded under contract that has been in force for one month or more on Novembei 1, 1939. The regulations do not purport to cover casual accommodation, but are designed to protect boarders (whether in private homes, hoardinghouses, private hotels, or licensed hotels), who may be regarded as more cr less permanent, who might be liable to be ejected or subjected to increased charges during the period of the Exhibition. “Provision is made for a penalty not exceeding £5 for any offence under the regulations. “Where any question arises as to the reasonableness of any charge the matter may be referred by either the landlord or the boarder, to the Inspector of Factories for determination. If either party is aggrieved by the decision of the inspector, they have the right of appeal to a stipendary magistrate, whose decision is final. “No landlord is to terminate or give notice to terminate any contract for residential accommodation for the purpose of obtaining or attempting to obtain any unreasonably high rental for such accommodation, nor take any other action for that purpose.”