Na Passes Rent Control Law

• 31 December 2015
• Local News
• 1146 Views

The National Assembly passed a rent control law on 6 July which prohibits landlords from increasing rent for two years once a binding contract is signed, and which allows tenants to break a lease agreement without notice.

Quickly passing in the Assembly with 103 of 104 lawmakers voting in favour, the new law is designed to protect the gains low-income earners and students have made with the introduction of the minimum wage.

Under the new law, landlords can only evict tenants if they have failed to pay their rent twice in a row, damage the property or cause disturbances in the neighbourhood.

Concerns have been raised over how the implementation of the law will be overseen, the potential for corruption since commune chiefs have to certify leases, and a lack of provisions regarding the safety and standards of rented property.