§ 72. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action, not involving further Government publication, he is taking to give fuller publicity to the decontrol provisions of the Rent Act, 1957, as it affects low-rated properties.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe letting to a new tenant of any house, irrespective of its rateable value, is normally free of control. This is made clear in the answer to Question 61 of the bookletThe Rent Act and You. But I am obliged to the hon. Member for enabling me once again to emphasise the need for care by tenants when entering upon new tenancies.
Before signing any agreement, they should make sure that it provides for appropriate security of tenure, and that they appreciate the nature of any repairing or similar obligations they are asked to undertake. If in doubt, they should seek advice from a solicitor or a citizens' advice bureau.
This matter has recently been dealt with in the "Can I Help You?" series of the B.B.C. and in letters sent to a number of local papers by citizens' advice bureaux. I took the opportunity to draw attention to it myself in answering a question published last Sunday in a newspaper with a wide circulation.