By: Kebba AF Touray
The National Assembly has on Thursday 14th March 2024, considered the Rent (Amendment) bill 2023, tabled before Parliamentarians by Member for Serrekunda West, Hon. Madi Ceesay.
The Bill seeks to make amendments to address the plight of tenants such as frequent increment of rent, high rates and to ensure that the rights of the tenants are respected and they are treated humanely.
The Bill seeks to amend clause 19. Clause 19 now reads:
(1) A landlord shall not increase the rent for the rental premises;
a. at a rate of more than five percent in every three years or such other rates as may be prescribed by the Minister by Notice published in the gazette, and subject to the condition of the facility; and
b. at an interval of less than thirty-six months.
For clause 18 of the Bill, the committee recommended for the clause to stand part of the Bill without amendment.
During the debate on the Bill at the second reading stage, lawmakers who intervened on the bill, said the Bill is not controversial, it is timely and apt as it seeks to ensure respect for tenants, as well as ensuring that tenants have a voice in the issues of rent payment, they are treated humanely and have access to justice.
They said the frequent increment on rent fees is improper and that it affects the tenant, and that tenants are asked to pay in foreign currencies notably the US Dollar, and the bill seeks to address that nightmare.
Subsequently, the bill was committed to the Assembly Business Committee (ABC) for committal to the committee of supply of the assembly.
Thursday 14th March 2024 was scheduled for the consideration by the committee of the whole house, during which the legislators considered the bill.
The bill now awaits the third reading stage for it to be passed into law, which is scheduled for Thursday 21st March 2024.
Hon. Madi Ceesay, the Member for Serrekunda West, tabling the bill for the second reading on 19th December 2023, told the lawmakers “The Rent (Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to improve on the Rent Act 2014, by raising value specified for a low-cost rental premises such that it is in line with contemporary times, as well as to enable the ordinary person afford to pay his or her rent monthly rather than face the burden of paying for six or more at any given time.”
He added that the rate that rent is increased is also carefully considered so that both the tenants and landlords do not suffer, as a reasonable percentage will be allowed as annual increment of rent.
