Says Madi Ceesay
Serrekunda West lawmaker Madi Ceesay has said that failure to notify tenants of anyincrement in rent prices is a gross violation of the 2024 Rent Act.
The lawmaker in an interview with this medium stated that tenants should speak on the issues of rent and report matters to the right authorities.
“Speaking up will help in the enforcement of the law. I can confirm that the Rent Amended Act of 2024, which I tabled as a private members bill, got the blessing of the whole House and it was passed and sent to the President for accession.
“The President signed this particular Act on 26April 2024, and it was gazetted in May 2024,bringing the completion of the bill into an Act. So, it is a full-fledged law of The Gambia. Therefore, any section violated is a violation of a law of The Gambia,” NAM Ceesay explained.
He hinted that the memo that was circulated about the increase of rent by President Barrow’s Majum Housing Estate was in violation of the amended version of the Rent Act as Section 19 of the Act clearly states that landlords should not increase the rent for rental premises at a rate of more than five percent in every three years.
“Anything contrary to this is a violation of the Rent Amendment Act 2024. So, the memo I have seen in circulation increased rent from D3500 to D8000. If you calculate the percentage of the increment, it’s far beyond the five percent of the Act, which is a clear violation of the Act. It indicates that they have violated the law of the country signed by the President,” said the Serekunda West legislator, who led the charge for the enactment of the Act.
“Majum Estate can only increase D175 within three years and not the huge difference of fivethousand. They have increased 222%, which is a gross violation of the Rent Amendment Act 2024,” he added.
Ceesay advised tenants to familiarize themselves with the Rent Amendment Act as the law protects them.