HC Deb 10 April 1973 vol 854 cc261-2W
Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of rent officers' assessments has been, respectively, increased or decreased by the rent assessment panel for the Lon- don area in each of the last four quarters for which figures are available.

Mr. Channon

In Greater London about 4 per cent. of rent officers' registrations analysed in 1972 went to rent assessment committees on apeal. Of this 4 per cent., rent assessment committees increased the rent officers' determination in 61 per cent. of the cases—that is, 2½ per cent. of all registrations—and decreased the rent officers' determination in 9 per cent. of the cases—that is, 0.5 per cent. of all registrations. There was no significant quarterly variation.

Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the average levels of fair rents assessed by the rent assessment panel for the London area for each of the last four quarters for which figures are available; whether these represent increases on the rent officers' assessments; and if so by what percentages.

Mr. Channon

The average of fair rents determined on appeal by rent assessment committees in Greater London and which were analysed in 1972 was £367 per annum—an increase of 6 per cent. over rents determined by rent officers for the same cases. The quarterly variations, which are not considered significant, are given below:

Average fair Rent(Per annum) Number of cases Percentage increase on Rent Officer's determination
1972 £ Per cent.
1st quarter 365 158 13
2nd quarter 388 276 5
3rd quarter 364 487 6
4th quarter 362 588 5

The hon. Member may wish to note that the overall 1972 increase of 6 per cent. was made up of an 8 per cent. increase on appeals made by the landlord and a 1½ per cent. decrease on tenant appeals.