The Tribune

By ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday confirmed the Government plans to overhaul tenant and rent control laws, with the latter oversight form requiring more staff.

Jerome Fitzgerald, minister of economic affairs, said the Government also intends to address the condition and maintenance of long-term rental properties as it responds to concerns over high rental rates and the quality of accommodation available to tenants.

“That comes under the Rent Control unit,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “I spoke with the officer who is responsible for that. We have to expand that unit. They communicated to me that we need more people in that unit. I’ve spoken with minister [Keith] Bell concerning the legislation, and he and I will work together to bring new legislation for rent within the country.”

Mr Fitzgerald said the proposed changes would require extensive consultation, but acknowledged the pressure high costs are placing on tenants. “And there’s going to be a lot of consultation that has to happen,” he said. “But we all agree that rent is extremely high in the country.”

The minister also pointed to concerns about whether tenants are receiving value for the money they pay. “Apart from that, the upkeep and maintenance of facilities that are rented is also a major concern for the Government,” he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said landlords will be expected to maintain rental properties to an appropriate standard. “That people are getting value for what they’re paying, and landowners and landlords are required to keep their rental units at a certain standard,” he said. “So we’ll be looking at all of that as we look at the rent situation in the country.”

The proposed legislative changes build on concerns previously raised by Mr Bell, the housing and land reform minister, who said the Davis administration intended to move quickly on rent control legislation when Parliament reopened.

Mr Bell previously said the reforms will seek to balance tenant protections and rental affordability with the financial obligations of landlords, including mortgage payments.

He also raised concerns about tenants living in properties he described as unfit for occupation, alleging that some landlords had disconnected electricity and water.

Mr Fitzgerald did not provide a timeline for when the new legislation will be introduced or specify the measures that will be included, but said he and Mr Bell would work together on the reforms.