HC Deb 28 March 1979 vol 965 cc243-4W
Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many owners and agents have sought increases in rents under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

Mr. Carter,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 793], gave the following information:

By 21 March 1978, the Department of Environment for Northern Ireland had received 7,918 applications for the registration of a regulated tenancy.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the approximate time between lodging an appeal against an increase in rent, and the hearing of such an appeal under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

Mr. Carter,

pursuant to his reply[Official Report, 23 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 793], gave the following information:

There can be wide variations in time between lodging an appeal and holding a hearing. By 2 March 1979, 4,789 appeals had been lodged since last October and 931 had been dealt with, including 387 in which hearings had taken place. It is the intention that all appeals should be heard by the end of 1979.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many appeals by tenants against rent increases under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 have been heard.

Mr. Carter,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 793], gave the following information:

By 2 March 1978, 387 appeals had been heard by rent assessment committees.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is satisfied with the number of rent assessors employed by his Department under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

Mr. Carter,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 793], gave the following reply:

No. I am taking steps to increase the number.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will provide legal facilities to enable aggrieved tenants to appeal against a rent increase under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

Mr. Carter,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 794], gave the following information:

No. A tenant does not need legal representation when his case is being heard by a rent assessment committee, although there is nothing to prevent him from being represented by a solicitor if he so wishes.

Mr. Fitt

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has nominated any representatives of the trade union movement in Northern Ireland to serve as rent assessors under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978.

Mr. Carter,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 23 March 1979; Vol. 964, c. 794], gave the following information:

The members of the rent assessment panel established under the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 include nine people who are active in the trade union movement. I will be making further appointments in the near future.

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