The rights of a landlord

Atenant, who has been living at a premises for 10 years, was served notice to give up occupation of the premises. She is upset with the manner in which the landlord dealt with the issue.

There are two houses on the premises. She was a good tenant, paying her rent on time. She said she cannot understand why her landlord has given her notice to give up possession of the house.

“I don’t know the real reason but, on the notice, my landlord wrote that repairs was the reason for the notice,” she said.

“It is a fact that there are sections of the roof which has to be repaired, but I just don’t see the reason why I cannot stay in the house while the repairs are going on.

“It is a two- bedroom house and I could stay in one section of the house, or spend a week with relatives, while the repairs are being carried out.

“I am feeling very upset because, after living at the premises for 10 year and being a good tenant, I thought the landlord would have discussed the matter with me to see how best we could deal with the repairs.

“One of my relatives told me that I should discuss the issue with her. I called her several times after I got the notice last month but she just did not answer her telephone. I went to her house one night to speak with her but she said I should come back the next day.

“When I returned the next day, I told her how I felt about the issue, but she said it was her property and she had a right to do as she pleased. I reminded her that I took care of the house, just as if it were my own, but she said that did not matter to her. I asked her what was the problem. She said I am not tied to her place so I should leave in peace.

“One of my landlord’s relatives told me that she wanted the house repaired, so she can increase the rent, because my rent was too cheap.

A friend told me to challenge the notice in court because I have been living at the premises for too long to be treated in that fashion.

“I really don’t want to go that route but I think the one- month notice is really too short.”

A landlord is entitled to give a tenant notice to quit the premises, and the landlord has given a valid reason. I f you cannot f i nd accommodation within a month, then you can ask the l andlord to extend the time. If the landlord refuses, then you can to go court and apply for an extension of

time.