got what he deserved, said acting Housing Minister Quinton Edness, who also said there were no plans afoot to loosen rent controls.

"This is not the first time somebody's been thrown out for not paying rent,'' Mr. Edness yesterday told The Royal Gazette . "It's extremely offensive if someone doesn't pay their rent; it's tantamount to stealing.'' Earlier this week Senior Magistrate Will Francis said although landlord Anna Govia may not have acted lawfully when she turned Carlos Ottley, his wife and four children out in the rain, she had the right because Mr. Ottley had not paid rent on his three-bedroom apartment since April.

"There are certain rules. If you want people to do right by you, you have to show that you are ready, willing and able to do what is right,'' Mr. Francis said in handing out his decision.

Part of Mr. Ottley's defence rested on the claim that Mrs. Govia had overcharged for the $1,700 apartment but, said Mr. Edness, the judge was right in dismissing that.

"The landlord has the right -- if they are first time renters -- to set the rent as they see fit,'' said Mr. Edness. "I have great sympathy for the landlady in this case,'' he added. "Now she's got to go to civil court and fight to get what's owed to her and all this time she's paying a mortgage on the place.'' The Ministry of Housing, however, is responsible to make sure all people are housed, even if they've been evicted, said Mr. Edness.

"If they cannot pay their rent, they can seek help through the Housing Assistance Programme,'' he added.

HOUSING HSG