The private member’s Rent (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced by Hon. Madi MK Ceesay, the National Assembly Member for Serrekunda West, is nearing enactment. It is set for a third reading and subsequent assent by the President before it becomes law after passing the consideration stage on Thursday.
The Rent (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Rent Act 2014, protects tenants against short-notice eviction and frequent Rent increments.
Once enacted, the Bill will extend the minimum eviction notice period from the current unspecified time frame to 90 days. This will address the practice of landlords instructing tenants to vacate premises on short notice.
Additionally, the Bill addresses concerns regarding Rent increases, proposing an increment of at most 5% every three years. This will prevent landlords from making Rent increments as and when they want.
Furthermore, under the Rent Act 2014, a tenant occupying premises below D3000 is obliged to pay rent monthly. Above this, a tenant could be asked to make an upfront payment of six months or more.
The Bill seeks to raise this to D7000, enabling tenants renting below this threshold to pay monthly. However, tenants renting premises exceeding this value may still face bulk payment requirements.
The initiator of the Bill, Hon Madi MK Ceesay of Serrekunda West Constituency, believes its success goes beyond its enactment. He plans to increase public awareness of the Bill.
After the first reading, the Bill was referred for further scrutiny to the National Assembly’s Committee on Lands, Regional Government, IEC, and Ombudsman, chaired by Hon Sulayman Jammeh of Bundungka Kunda Constituency. Hon. Jammeh welcomed the Bill and commended his colleague for the initiative.
The Rent Amendment Bill was introduced in 2023.
