LIMIT ON RENTS TO BE REMOVED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18452, 1 May 1928, Page 8

LIMIT ON RENTS TO BE REMOVED.

TENANT STILL HAS RIGHT TO APPLY FOR REDUCTION. WELLINGTON, May 1. From to day, in accordance with last session’s Act, the rent restriction legislation which has been in operation in New Zealand for the past twelve years will cease to apply to any dwelling house unless, or until, the tenant makes application to a Magistrate to have the provisions re-applied to his dwelling, ana an order is made accordingly. The legislation will cease entirely to operate on January 1 next. When application is made to a Magistrate to have the provisions re-applied, states an official explanation, the Magistrate will base his decision on the relative hardships of the tenant and landlord. Application to have the Acts reapplied to his dwelling may be made either by the tenant personally, through the clerk of the Magistrate’s Court, or he may apply to the Inspector of Factories to make application on his behalf. While a tenant may make application at any time, it is not necessary for him to take the initiative. He will not be affected until his landlord gives him notice of his intention to raise the rent or to require him to give up possession of the dwelling house. The tenant would then, if he so wished, apply to the Magistrate (either personally or through the Inspector of Factories as indicated above) for an order re-apply-ing the Acts to the dwelling house. From to-day on the basis of the standard rent will be 7 per cent of the current value of the dwelling house, instead of 7 per cent of its value in 1914. This sum represents the interest on the capital value. In addition, the tenant will be required to pay such amount as may be determined by the Magistrate in lespect of rates, insurance, depreciation and repairs. Under the amendment of last session, the Acts concerned will cease entirely to operate on January 1, 1929, but up till then tenants may at any time make application to*have the Acts re-applied to their dwelling houses.