§ Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that many landlords have already served notices on their tenants to raise their rents under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Bill, the landlords being under the erroneous impression that they will have 911W the power to raise rents as soon as the Bill becomes law; whether the principal Act remains in force until a period for six months after the War; and what action does he propose to take to allay the present anxiety which is being caused?
§ Major ASTORMy right hon. Friend is not aware that many landlords have served notices of the kind mentioned in the question. The Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Act, 1915, does not admit of any increase of rent except for certain specific purposes until the expiration of six months after the end of the War. The Bill to which the hon. Member refers makes no alteration in this respect in the case of houses within the Act of 1915, and the increase of rent permitted by the Bill in such cases could not take effect until the date when the Act of 1915 would have expired in the ordinary course. In the case of houses to which the Act of 1915 is extended by the Bill immediate increase of rent can be made within the limits allowed by the Bill subject to any existing agreement.