HL Deb 13 December 1979 vol 403 cc1430-1WA
Baroness FISHER of REDNAL

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they would agree that the practice of rent officers fixing rents above the amount requested by the landlord or agent is inflationary and against their policy, especially when the result means in some instances an application for increased supplementary benefits.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)

No. Rent officers must fix a fair rent for the dwelling on the basis laid down in the Rent Act 1977, irrespective of the personal circumstances of either landlord or tenant. If fair rents were to vary according to the increased rents sought by landlords or the means of tenants, the pattern of fair rents for comparable properties could become seriously distorted.