The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-12-13

quoted two sections of the regu-
lations which read in part:
"Section 5(a) 90 provides
an increase can be granted if, on
the date determining the maxi
mum rent, the housing accommo-
dalton was temporarily exempt
from real estate taxes and the
landlord was passing the benefit
of this tax exemption on to the
tenant and, as a result. the rent
on that date was substantially
lower than the rent generally pre-
vailing in the area for comparable
housing accommodations on the
maximum rent date.'
obviously. the latel portion of
the requirement is very important
and probably constitutes the decid-
a>tor in processing this type
case" Moore said.
Under Sec. 5 (a) 12), petitions
may be granted If the landlord
shows substantial decrease in
net income (before INTEREST," for
the current year as compared with
a representative period prior to
the maximum rent date Of April
l, 1941, by reason of substantial
and unavoidable increase in prop
erty taxes or operating costs.
1t should be noted that the land
lord must provide an operating
statement covering period Of IL
months prior to April /, 1941, to
qualify under this section, Moore
declared"
1.-THE regulation specifies that in
cases under s (a) d2) the adjust
ment shall be in the amount the
administrator find necessary to re-
ieve the substantial hardship, pro-
vided, that t he adjustment shall
not result In a maximum rent
higher than the rent generally pre-
vailing in the area for compar-
able housing accommodations on
the maximum rent date"
Moore pointed out that these
sections do not act as levers to
raise rents above the level general
ly effective on the freeze date, but
that they are designed to give re-
lief within certain limits, where
justified.
He also cited section 5 (a) 90,
wherein rent increases are pos
sible when the tenant is the re-
cipient Of substantial increases in
services, furniture, furnishings, or
equipment. He stated there might
be certain services enjoyed by
tenants in some cases arising from
the extension bill of such sub
stantiality as to warrant rent ad-
justments.
Generally speaking" Moore
added, ut appears that both land
lords and tenants will enjoy GER
tain privileges over the past.
Such factors, he said, as more
adequate fire and police protec-
ton, reduced water rates, elimi-
nation of private contracts for
garbage and trash disposal, low
cred insurance rates. city sewer
age. connections and street i'm
provements will most likely result
in more general satisfaction to all
concerned.
1T would not seem proper to
pass on to the tenant, by increased
rent, the entire cost OF these bene-
fits. Some petitions will doubtless
result in rent increases, however.
These will probably include those
concerning tenants to whom will
accrue a combination of added
benefits which. in the aggregate
constitute a substantial increase If
services or rental value,'' he de
c1ared. ...
Moore stressed the fact tina
landlords should obtain = writer
order from the area rent office
before advancing rents or decreas
ing services, furniture, urnish
ings. or equipment.
"Violations, whether deliberate
or unintentjonal, require refund o.
other punitive action on the par
of the Rent Control office" h
said.