UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | On the 9th of June this year, President Museveni signed the Landlord and Tenant Bill into law. Several landlords have eagerly awaited enactment of this Bill for a long time.
The newly enacted Landlord and Tenant Act 2022 regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants, modifies and consolidates the law relating to the rental of premises, and specifies landlords’ and tenants’ responsibilities for letting of premises.
Landlords applauded the new law, claiming it would streamline their relationship with tenants and make each party aware of their responsibilities.
Property mogul Sudhir Ruparelia is one of the landlords that lauded President Museveni for signing the Landlord and Tenant Bill into law, saying “It will finally bring sanity into the sector.”
“It will check landlords who are not respecting the law and their tenants. “Most landlords do not give tenants’ agreements. “We could be the only ones who have consistently given all our tenants agreements for more than 10 years,” said Sudhir.
Sudhir added, “The law protects both tenants and landlords. The tenants will now know their rights. It will reduce the number of court cases between the two parties.”
Maintenance and Repair of the Premises
Under the new law, landlords must ensure that the premises being let is fit for human habitation during the tenancy, and meets the requirements of the Public Health Act and the Building Control Act, 2013.
In determining whether a premises is fit for human habitation, regard shall be given to the condition of the premises in respect of repair, stability, internal arrangements, natural lighting, ventilation, water supply, drainage and sanitary conveniences and facilities for preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water.
Landlords are also required to keep the premises maintained in good repair. However, this clause does not apply to repair of damage caused by the tenant’s negligence or failure to take reasonable care.
Where a tenant damages the premises or common areas, the landlord shall serve the tenant with a notice to repair the damage, to which the tenant must comply within 14 days. Tenants are also required to keep the rented premises in a reasonably clean condition.
Rent Increases and Evictions
The new regulations limit rent increases to no more than 10% each year. Furthermore, the law stipulates that a notice of a rent increase be issued 60 days before its execution.
Although landlords are pleased with the clause allowing them to raise rents by 10% annually, they are concerned about the section prohibiting them from forcibly evicting tenants who fail to pay rent.
The new law also imposes fines on landlords who illegally evict their tenants, and if found guilty, it will require the landlord to reimburse a tenant with 3 months’ rent.
The Act also requires all rent payments to be in Uganda Shillings, relieving some Kampala businessmen who had been paying their monthly rent in US dollars.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants written receipts for payments of rent.
Access The Landlord and Tenant Act 2022.
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