asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether the commission set up to inquire into housing rents will investigate the increased rent demanded by ground landlords on the renewal of leases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rents Commission.
The provisions of Part V of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1931, governing the renewal by ground landlords of expiring leases come within the scope of the commission's inquiry, and, accordingly, the rents reserved in such cases and the principles upon which such rents are fixed will be matters for consideration by the commission.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether the housing rents commission which he set up will inquire into the question of ground rents and make recommendations for their compulsory purchase; and, if not, if he will request the commission to consider the matter.
So far as the question of ground rents is concerned, what the commission has been asked to consider is the working of Part V of the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1931, as amended by the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1943, that is to say, the provisions of the law which entitle tenants to renewals of expiring leases and prescribe the conditions upon which such renewals may be obtained. This, I believe, is the most urgent question and one which will require to be investigated before the ground rent problem can be considered in its wider aspects.
Can the Minister say if the Government have any definite policy as regards the purchase of ground rents?
Not until the matter has been examined.