By: Nyima Sillah
Many tenants within the Greater Banjul Area have confirmed that some self-employed people known as Estate Agents are people’s (tenants) ‘big problem’.
Lamin Yabou, a tenant called the Kanifing Municipality to help stop the agents from intruding in rental issues, as they are making life unbearable for tenants and would be tenants because of huge amount of money they are requesting before renting houses or shops to tenants/occupiers.
“They make polarize that only rich people that can have rooms or apartments in this country low income earners cannot rent even a single room because of their exorbitant charges,” he said.
Kebba Ansu Manneh, also a tenant detailed how securing a house in the country becomes a nightmare. He explained that “the recent situation of the houses in the Gambia is getting out of control because double room and a pallor cost for D4000 to 7000 and one should deposit six months.”
“I spoke to more than ten agents the lowest amount they ask for is D28, 000 for six months deposit before one can get a room. This is different from D1500 that you are going to pay the agent. How can an ordinary Gambian whose salary is less than D2500 have a room in Kombo?” he asked.
He said houses for rent are available but because of the agents involvement it becomes very hard and a big trouble for tenants.
He urged government to do something on this by taking a proactive role to solve this issue as it is part of things affecting Gambians every day while KMC should also address the situation because all of them are paying tax.
However, Sheikh Joof an house agent countered that: “this is our work and sometimes the reason why we charge high is because, the job is so hard. Sometimes when the agent struggle very hard to locate a particular place and discuss with the landlord for commission and you take a tenant to such place they might refuse to take it”
According to him, agents introduce payment policy because of the hardship they face in their job. He said: “as for me, I petty tenant that are desperately looking for house but have no money to pay agents because I am also a tenant and I know how it feels to be in such situation. But some of my fellow agents are greed for money and they can charge more than the price of movement especially the agents in the offices.”
Meanwhile, Kebba Sano, a landlord explained that they introduced the six-month payment policy because some tenants are not serious.
“They rent for one month and the following month they move with debts which does not favour us as landlords but with the introduction of the six months down payment no one will just live a house after paying six months deposit after one month,” he said.
He added: “Agent takes very responsible tenant actions because some tenants are not reliable and full of violence but with the involvement of agents at least landlord can be at peace. We also suffer in the hands of tenants especially when they refuse to pay their debts as some tenants will not pay on time and still want to control the landlords which cannot be possible.”
