§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to local authorities about referring to the rent officer, in the case of unfurnished tenants, and to the rent tribunal, in the case of furnished tenants, any case in which a request for a rent allowance shows that the rent being charged has not been officially determined; what is the general practice in this matter; and how many such references have taken place.
§ Mr. ChannonLocal authorities have been advised that there should normally be no reason why a landlord should be aware that a tenant of his has applied for a rent allowance. It is not necessary for a rent to be registered before an allowance can be paid. The authorities' attention has also been drawn, to the legislative provisions which enable them to refer an unregistered rent under a regulated tenancy to the rent officer, or under a furnished tenancy to the rent tribunal. In the specific case of furnished tenancies, they have also been strongly advised not to use this power against the wishes of the tenant. Information as to the general practice of local authorities and as to the number of references is not available.