HC Deb 16 November 1954 vol 533 cc206-7
33. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware of the demands made by landlords in London for increased rents in respect of services, and that many tenants cannot afford legal assistance such as is available to their landlords; and whether he will issue a further edition of the booklet "The New Act Repairs and Rents" containing fuller information on the subject of services.

Mr. Sandys

I am most anxious that all concerned should be fully aware of the rights and safeguards given to them by the recent Act; and I am very ready to consider any suggestions for the improvement of future editions of the explanatory booklet.

Mr. Stewart

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether, in order to help the tenants, he will consult his right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to see whether legal aid can be extended to tenants under this Act?

Mr. Sandys

I am always in very close touch with my right hon. and learned Friend.

35. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that a number of cases have been heard at the Paddington Rent Tribunal, London, in respect of claims which were made by landlords of a block of flats in Maida Vale for increases of rents on account of services, under the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954; that the tribunal reduced the amounts requested by the landlords for these services by about 20 per cent.; that in the meantime a majority of the tenants of the same flats had, in fact, agreed to the increases which had been demanded; and whether he will amend the Act so as to make any agreement for increases subject to revision by a rent tribunal.

Mr. Sandys

Yes, Sir. But I am not altogether convinced of the desirability of the hon. Member's proposal.

Mr. Janner

Will the Minister consider how extremely important it is that this glaring injustice, which has been displayed already in consequence of the operation of the Act, should be put right? Is he aware that it means that people can be compelled to pay rents far above what the tribunal states is the correct amount allowable? If the right hon. Gentleman retains the agreement provision in the Act, it will be impossible to deal with the situation.

Mr. Sandys

I am rather in favour of letting people agree about things when they can. The hon. Member will realise that if his proposal were adopted, it would certainly, in a number of cases, result in the tenant having to pay more than he had previously agreed with the landlord. That would cause resentment.

37. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the provisions of the Housing Repairs and Rents Acts enable advantage to be taken by landlords of repairs effected to their property with funds received from public and private sources to increase rents; and whether he will introduce legislation to remove this anomaly.

Mr. Sandys

I believe that the hon. Member's Question arises from a case where rent increases were demanded in respect of repairs paid for in part by contributions from the Lord Mayor's Flood and Tempest Distress Fund. So far as I can find out, there is only one landlord who is known to have acted in this way; and he has now given an undertaking that he will suspend the rent increases in question.

Mr. Janner

Is the right hon. Gentlemen aware that this should put him on his guard with regard to other incidents which are likely to occur, in that public and private funds can be used to assist landlords in satisfying the courts that houses are in proper repair? Surely, something must be done to prevent that kind of position from arising. Can the right hon. Gentleman do something about it?

Mr. Sandys

I assure the hon. Member that I will be on my guard.