FAIR RENTS LEGISLATION AND THE CROWN ESTATES

That this House is concerned that the fair rents legislation is not working as it was intended to do either in general or in relation to properties on the Crown Estates; is alarmed that increases in rents of 10 per cent. per annum and above are still being imposed by the Crown Estates Commissioners at a time when inflation is running at between 2 per cent. and 3 per cent. per annum; notes that even the Government expressed concern in 1992 at the size of rent increases being imposed by rent officers and rent assessment committees when they issued a consultation paper; condemns the Government for not proposing any changes to the legislation on fair rents despite the evidence which they received; believes that on the Crown Estates rent levels are now such that people and families on average and below average incomes are being charged rents which they cannot afford; and calls on the Government and the Crown Estates Commissioners to act in the public interest and in equity and fairness so that rent rises for Crown Estates tenants are kept to reasonable and affordable levels.