Public urged to attend consultations on changes to rental sector laws
THE MINISTRY of Economic Growth and Job Creation, under which the Rent Assessment Board falls, is conducting a series of public consultations on some of the changes to the law governing the rental sector.
Consultations have already been held in Portmore, St Catherine; Harbour View, St Andrew; May Pen, Clarendon; Mandeville, Manchester; and Montego Bay, St James.
Upcoming consultations will be held today at 5:00 p.m. at the Boulevard Baptist Church and on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the University of Technology.
The Rent Restriction Act is the legislation that covers the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Significant changes are coming to the law to make it fair to all stakeholders in the rental sector.
MATTERS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS:
I Security deposits
I Recovery of possession
I Permissible rent
I Landlord and tenant covenants
I Increases in fines and penalties for breaches of the act.
A significant number of Jamaicans are involved in the property rental sector, whether as landlords or tenants. Disputes between landlords and tenants are not uncommon in Jamaica. The rental sector is bursting with complaints ranging from illegal increases in rent and claims of excessive rent to disputes over the security deposit.
It is the role of the Rent Assessment Board to hear such disputes and make rulings in a fair, respectful and impartial manner while upholding the law.
However, it is equally important for all persons to be aware of what the law says about the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants so that there may be a viable rental market.
“It is a very important part of what we as a ministry are aiming to do in terms of the provision of affordable housing. Therefore, we want all Jamaicans to come out and make their voices heard on this very important piece of legislation as it will affect how the entire sector operates going forward,” says Paula Parkes, senior director in the Housing Policy, Research and Monitoring Branch of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.