700 tenants may be evicted as law changes

MORE than 700 tenants of rent-controlled property could be evicted next week after the expiry of tenancy protection legislation.

At worst, many of those affected are due to be hit with a large rent increase following the removal of price controls from next Thursday. They may also face massive legal bills by having to apply to the courts to secure a new lease from their existing landlords.

Under the Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) Act 1982, only named tenants and their spouses listed before July 25, 1982 are entitled to a lifetime’s residency in rent-controlled properties.