The Washington herald., 1918-02-14
WANT RENT BOSS
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affairs will become more acute the
longer war continues.
Being mindful OF this situation the
Real Estate Brokers' Association on
its own initiative named a SPECIAL COM
mittee to aid in bringing about some
remedy. This committee since its ap-
pointment has been, and still is labor
ing to that end"
The fact Is reiterated through the
report that practically all of the
many instances OF extortion and prof
iteering were committed by lessees or
tenants and not by the owners or
agents Of the real estate"
Bill Is Defective.
Objection is made by the members
of the special committee in that "the
bill. as framed. does not reach or tax
the ones now practicing the extor-
ton complained Of"
There Is no practical way" the re-
port continues, 'tin which owners of
real estate can safeguard against the
extortion practices by tenants or sub
tenants 1t would require a daily
supervision Of their tenants. If the
owners Of real estate are to be taxed
TUT the dClS OI lnSlE IendIllS OF SUD-
tenants, 1t will result, In many in
stances, IN closing houses instead Of
renting them
of the assessors office would have 10
be increased to increase so materially
through the executing of Representa-
tive Johnson's bill as to compel it to
procure extra buildings to accommo-
data the aHtra nA74foIG hair
clerks.
Positive declaration Is made in the
report that many boarding places
and houses in which rooms are rent
ed would be closed and an enormous
amount of now available rental space
withdrawn from the market should
the bill be passed.
Other Recommendation.
Other important suggestions made
are:
2-That such rent administrator
shall have the power, subject to ap-
proval by a board Of appeals as here
matter provided, to fix the rentals
upon request as hereinafter prescrib-
ed of any and all real estate in the
District OF Columbia for such length
Of time and for such amounts within
the intent and limitations of the act.
as may seem to him equitable and
reasonable
SThat ali leases, contracts and
agreements. expressed or implied,
providing for the payment Of rent for
real estate In the District Of Columbia,
hereafter made, or any renewal of
any leases, contracts or agreements
for the payment Of rent for real estate
in the District OF Columbia already
made, except as stipulated in such
leases, contracts or agreements, shall
upon request Of any party thereto be
subject to revision and modification
by said rent administrator and board
Of appeals as hereinafter prescribed.
+That upon the request of any
owner Of real estate in the District
Of Columbia, or his duly authorized
agent, or any lessee, made in writ
ing to the said rent administrator,
to fix the rental of any real es-
tate located in the District Of CO.
lumbia, coming within the intent and
meaning Of the act, whether said real
estate is at such time actually rent
ed or proposed to be rented, it shall
be the duty OF the said rent ad-
ministrator, upon receipt of such no.
NANSb ~ A@N NAC NCuI VI SuCIl T6dl eS-
tate in question, and the rental so
fixed. in case the property has been
leased since the passage of the act,
shall be binding upon all parties to
such lease, and the rental so fixed
shall be the amount required to be
paid during the unexpired term of
such lease. contract OF agreement,
from and after the date of the de-
cision fthe rent administrator.
Fines for Violations.
Sin case the real estate in
question Is not rented at the date
Of such request. then and in that
event the rental nxed by the rent
administrator shall be the MAXI
mum rent to be charged by the
owner or agent Of said real estate
for the period fixed by the admin
istrator within the limitations OF
the act.
s-Nothing In the act shall be
construed to prevent owners Of real
estate. agents. landlords or hotel
proprietors from hereafter renting
real estate at such price or. prices.
and at such tinesias the parties 10
such leases. contracts or agree
ments may M and agree upon. which