TENANTS who fail to pay their rent, or breach other rules set out in the landlord and tenant covenant, could be hit with hefty fines under the revised Rent Act, which is expected to be finalised this year.

Rose Bennett-Cooper, chair of the Rent Assessment Board, said the issue of penalising bad tenants is among several recommendations being proposed under the new law.

The changes are expected to address the existing inefficiencies in the Act, which was last revised in 1983.

“There is nothing in the Act now that imposes a fine or, in any way, says to the tenant, ‘you have done wrong and this is how you should be penalised’,” she said.

Bennett-Cooper also noted that, for years, landlords have complained that the current Act is inequitable and grossly skewed in favour of the tenant.

She was addressing the recent Realtors’ Association of Jamaica (RAJ), ‘Know Your Property Rights’ symposium, organised by RAJ, in partnership with JN Bank, at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester.

Her presentation focused on the theme: “The Status and Impact of the Proposed Amendments to the Rent Restriction Act.”

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/delinquent-tenants-will-be-fined-under-new-law_162432

Sponsored Links