Ms Patricia King:

I thank the Deputy for the question. Rent was very much Professor Norris's piece in the commission. The reference rent is built on the average rents for apartments or houses within the same locality. The bottom line from the perspective of the commission members was to inject and ensure ongoing and sustainable fairness in the system so that it was not just about dealing with a particular moment in time. It was to be an ongoing system that could be regulated and would deal with the actual rent for the comparable units within the same locality. It is crucial for regulating the rent increases and safeguarding the tenants' rights. Professor Norris might like to give the commission's general perspective on the rent.