Rent limitation countered by opposition

       The draft bill designating the limiting of rent raises to 25% for 2000 and 10% for 2001 in line with target inflation figures has been relayed by the Parliamentary Justice Committee to the subcommittee.
       Deputy chairman Turhan Tayan said the of the draft were found to be insufficient. Tayan said the draft would encourage foreign currency leases and rents could soar with the legislative void after 2001.
       FP deputy Yahya Akman of the Committee claimed the draft, if passed, would prompt landlords to charge extra illicit money from tenants. Ramazan Toprak of FP said they agreed with the target of the bill but that the bill would encourage foreign currency-based leases. FP deputy Mir Dengir Fırat noted foreign currency leases would be legal and did not infringe rights of property.

Warning to landlords

       Ali Arabaci of DSP, on the other hand, said rights to property could be infringed for the greater public good. "We have to cut inflation down to one-digit figures," state minister Edip Safter Gaytali, said in response to criticisms. Gaydali noted the draft would be in effect for two years. "Within this period of time, some habits will change. No landlord could force tenants to pay 50% more in a country with 5% inflation," the minister said.