EDITOR, The Tribune.
I note with interest in Thursday’s Tribune dated May 8th, Washington State Governor signed a bill into law to protect tenants. This is needed locally immediately.
Working in the real estate field I have observed landlords greedy and grabalicious with their rental units. Overnight in some areas rents increased anywhere from 50 percent to 85 percent. Apartments are being converted into Airbnb. Owners are converting duplexes into one-bedroom units and renting on a weekly basis.
I believe a government has obligation to protect tenants and control rents. I believe there is a Rent Control Act in place. However, I believe it needs to be amended to address this new level of greediness. On numerous occasions I am bombarded with telephone calls from persons seeking Apartments in the $800.00 to $1,500.00.
I would encourage the government to tackle this challenge for prospective tenants. For the most part I believe they are the same individuals who elected the government.
PAT STRACHAN
Nassau,
May 13, 2025.
Comments
pileit 1 month ago
I struggle to understand this mindset... the landlord is "grabalicious"? You want rent control do you? No mention of the ease with which derelict tenants squat in apartments 6 months behind on rent while the landlord is spun around by the courts because "dey gat chillen in there" Tell that to the bank where the landlord has to pay their mortgage. Y'all so full of it its crazy. Building repair bills through the roof, insurance sky high and you talking about rent control, please get lost. The reason the property owners are turning to Air BNB is because the occupiers will pay their money and be gone in a week, not still there ducking for 6 months after only paying first, last & security deposit. Stop acting like you don't know the nature of the current Bahamian tenant...... talkin out your rear. they SHOOTING landlords who trying to collect their rent.... control that, maybe?
joeblow 1 month ago
... how dare a person make an investment and seek to get the best possible return on that investment, especially when they have to pay property tax and maintain their property? How heartless!
It is because of mindsets like the writer that the Bahamas may be "democratic" in its election process, but has been moving toward socialism in its practices. Socialism benefits the nonproducers and makes the producers flee! The government does not need to control every aspect of our lives. People need to take a greater amount of responsibility for themselves. If you can't afford it, look for something else!
JohnQ 1 month ago
Well said.
bogart 1 month ago
Lets be realistic that the Communists influences and ideas from just across the border have been slipping into our beloved Bahamaland by the greater frequency of our beloved Bahamaland interacting with the Communists.
Dawes 1 month ago
No mention of the real estate agent taking les commission, which is normally a month of the year. Doing that may reduce the rate, but the real estate agents never want to cut the amount they earn.
rodentos 1 month ago
what about 10% taken by government when you purchase a property
hrysippus 4 weeks ago
The Law of Unintended Consequences will most probably dictate an exit from the rental market of some landlords and a reluctance of investors considering an investment in the rental market; consequently the number of available rental units will decline while rents will increase. Sadly the electorate are not savvy enough to perceive this result and will instead applaud and support the rather blantant example pf pandering to secure votes in the upcoming election.
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