§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the average rise in fair rents determined by the rent officers in England and Wales for 1981–82, 1982–83 and to date in 1983–84; and whether he has issued any guidance in any of these years to rent officers as to the considerations they should take into account in determining such rises.
§ Sir George YoungFigures for the mean percentage changes in rent for regulated unfurnished tenancies on re-registration by rent officers within three to four years of
608W
I Brent: Census Year Estimates (Thousands) Population* Dwellings† Households† Housholds lacking exclusive use of the amenities recorded† 1961 294.7 83.0 97.7 37.1 Hot and cold water, fixed bath and any WC 1966 290.0 78.9 96.5 35.4 Hot water, bath and inside WC 1971 280.1 89.7 98.2 26.5 Hot water, bath and inside WC 1981 254.2 92.1 93.4 7.2 Bath and inside WC the previous registration in England and Wales during 1981 and 1982 appear in table 11.6 of "Housing and Construction Statistics 1972–82". For the first half of 1983, the most recent period for which data are available, the same information is in the rent officer note RO(S) 59. Both are available in the Library.
Rent officers are independent Statutory Officers. They must assess rents in accordance with section 70 of the Rent Act 1977. No guidance is issued to rent officers about how they should interpret their powers or on how rents should be assessed. The Secretary of State has no power to direct or advise rent officers in these matters.