asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied with the operation of the Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Act, 1978 and if he considers that tenants are aware of the details of the scheme.
Written Answers. - Landlord and Tenant Legislation.
259.
I am quite satisfied with the operation of the Act and, in particular, with the operation of the scheme provided by Part III of the Act for the purchase of the fee simple in dwellinghouses through the agency of the Land Registry. The number of persons who made inquiries in the Land Registry about the scheme—some 7,500 in the period from 1 August to 12 December, 1978, inclusive—would seem to indicate that ground rent tenants in general have accepted the scheme as a fair and effective solution to ground rents problem.
As regards the second part of the question, I am satisfied that the great majority of ground rent tenants are aware that the Land Registry is administering a purchase scheme and, of course, the registry staff are equipped to provide full details on request. I am also satisfied that ground rent tenants of local authorities are generally aware of their right to acquire the fee simple, at nominal expense, under a separate scheme provided by the same Act. I also think the most of those concerned do not see any particular need for haste in taking advantage of the scheme as it is well known that it is to last for five years. I intend to consider, at a later date, perhaps in a year or two, whether some renewed publicity for the scheme may be desirable.
260.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for arbitration under the Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Act, 1978.
The number of applications for the vesting of the fee simple in dwellinghouses that were made under section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act, 1978—applications, that is, for determination by the arbitration of the Registrar of Titles—between 1 August (the date the Act came into operation) and 12 December inclusive was 85.
261.
asked the Minister for Justice (1) the number of persons who have acquired their ground rent under the Landlord and Tenant (No. 2) Act, 1978; and (2) the number of applications at present on hand in the Land Registry.
During the period between 1 August, the date the Act came into operation, and 12 December 1978, inclusive, 171 vesting certificates were issued by the Land Registry under Part III of the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) (No. 2) Act, 1978. Figures are not readily available concerning transfer orders made by housing authorities on foot of the purchase scheme provided by section 26 of the Act for ground rent tenants of such authorities. The number of applications for vesting certificates under Part III that were in hand in the Land Registry on 12 December was 882.