Lawmakers at the National Assembly on Thursday passed the Rent (Amendment) Bill 2023, which was tabled by Member for Serrekunda West, Hon. Madi Ceesay. The bill aims to address the challenges faced by tenants, including frequent rent increments and high rent prices, ensuring that tenants’ rights are respected and that they are treated humanely.

The key amendment proposed by the bill is to clause 19, which stipulates that “A landlord shall not increase the rent for the rental premises at a rate of more than five percent in every three years or such other rates as may be prescribed by the Minister by Notice published in the gazette, and subject to the condition of the facility; at an interval of less than thirty-six months.”

The committee recommended that clause 18 of the Bill remain unchanged.

During the debate on the Bill at the second reading stage, lawmakers emphasized that the Bill is not controversial but rather timely and necessary. They highlighted that it seeks to ensure respect for tenants’ rights, including their voice in rent payment issues, humane treatment, and access to justice.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about the frequent increment of rent fees, noting that tenants are sometimes asked to pay in foreign currencies, particularly in US Dollars, which the bill aims to address. As a result, the bill was committed to the Assembly Business Committee (ABC) for further review.

Hon. Madi Ceesay introduced the Rent Amendment Bill to regulate rents and make monthly payments more affordable. The bill aims to reduce the burden of paying six or more months of rent for low-cost housing, improving the Rent Act of 2014 and enabling ordinary persons to afford monthly rent payments.

In the 2014 Rent Act, the rent cost is categorized into low and high cost. A rent fee of one thousand to three thousand dalasis is payable monthly, but any amount above three thousand is considered high cost, which is paid for six or more months.