By: Binta Jaiteh
The National Assembly joint committee on Human Rights, Constitutional Matters, Regional Government, Lands, Ombudsman, and IEC yesterday presented their report on the Rent Amendment Bill 2023 for consideration.
The Bill seeks to amend the existing Rent Act (2014), which efficiently addresses issues of Rent, as stated in the Objects and Reasons.
During the review of this Bill, the Committee comprehensively adopted substantial methods such as consultation with stakeholders to seek their opinions, review of documents/position papers presented by the invited stakeholders, and convened validation meeting, where membersand support staff of the committee reviewed various submissions, and further scrutinized the clauses, prepared, and validated the report.
The report on the public hearing and findings of the committee,regarding the Rent Amendment Bill 2023, was presented by the co-chairperson of the committee Sulayman Jammeh.
He explained that during their engagement, the committee highlighted the current rent predicaments that the bill seeks to address, saying the majority of the people in the Brikama area agreed on a one-month deposit and suggested that the committee enact a law that will provide for no advance but monthlypayment.
He said it was also proposed that “tenants should be given at least five to six months” notice before rent increment.
“It was recommended to the committee for a percentage increment to be from 1%-5%, depending on the standard of the rental premises,” said Jammeh.
He reported that the committee conducted a public hearing in Bwiam to consult the people on the Rent Amendment Bill 2023, which intends to address issues affecting both tenants and landlords. “Thus, as representatives, it is essential to seek the opinions of the people in the decision-making process and ensure informed decisions are made that will reflect upon their lives,” he noted.
He stated that during the committee’s public hearing atSerrekunda Market, the majority of the people proposed for the deposit to be one month while many agreed that rent increments should be every five years with a 5% increment.
Jammeh explained that a few people proposed for the increment to be in every three years with a 3% increment and a few people proposed that there should be a one-month separate deposit for repairs.
The Assembly, meanwhile, considered the report of the committee with amendments.
