Rent law leaves much to be desired

I have obtained a copy of Act X amending the Rent Law. The English translation is ludicrous, worthy of a Banana Republic! "Recovered", meaning accommodated, is translated as "recovering". There are words and phrases like "so however", "save unless otherwise agreed", "after that the lessor would have".

The Act itself is cowardly. I have already pointed out that not even in 20 years will residential rents reach market value.

In most cases, it will require two generations to pass away for the owner to be in full control and enjoyment of his own property.

The most spineless part is that which deals with clubs. The Bill, as first published, provided that where a lease of a club was not for a specified period, the lease should terminate on January 1, 2010.

Owing to lack of reporting on the debate, we do not know how much interest our MPs took in the matter but the Act now protects entirely the clubs, which remain under the laws existing prior to 1995. True, the minister may make regulations - in a matter in which he is bound to have a conflicting interest.

Parliament has washed its hands, handed its prerogative to the minister who is as likely to issue regulations as I am likely to receive from this bankrupt government the subsidy promised long ago for repairing my wooden balconies.

See you in the court of human rights.