§ 56 and 117. Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many cases of rents being demanded in excess of those permitted by Section 20 of the Rent Act, 1968, have been brought to his notice; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will circularise rent officers recommending them to advise tenants of their rights under Section 20 of the Rent Act, 1968, when considering applications for rent registration.
§ Mr. ChannonRent officers already provide tenants, following any application for rent registration, with a copy of the leaflet, "Rent Regulation", which explains the contractual rent limit under Section 20 of the Rent Act, 1968. I have had some general representations from tenants' organisations and others of overcharging on registered rents. The Francis Committee recommended that it should be made an offence to require or receive rent in excess of the registered rent and this is being carefully considered. Where a rent has not been registered, the contractual rent limits under Section 20 are probably more widely exceeded. The Housing Finance Bill will replace that limit by new safeguards for sitting tenants.
§ 93. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what effect on the size of the rent, that is, average registered rent as a percentage of the average previous rent, rent registration has had in Greater London, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, and in Putney, respectively.
§ Mr. ChannonFor rents first registered during the years 1966–70, the average registered rent represented an increase over the average previous rent of 11 per cent. in greater London and of 19 per cent. in the London Borough of Wandsworth. No separate information is available for Putney.