Dhaka: The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has released specific guidelines aimed at safeguarding tenant rights and addressing disputes between landlords and tenants in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the newly introduced guidelines stipulate that house rent cannot be increased within a two-year period under any circumstances. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from demanding more than three months’ rent in advance. For security purposes, tenants must be provided with keys to the rooftop and the main gate of the building.
The 16-point guideline is based on the ‘House Rent Control Act, 1991’, as noted by the Chief Revenue Officer of the DNCC. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz announced these new guidelines at a press conference held at the DNCC Bhaban.
The guidelines further specify that once rent is set for a property, it will remain unchanged for the next two years. Any revision in rent after this period must be mutually decided by the landlord and tenant. However, any annual increase should not exceed 15 percent of the prevailing market value.
In terms of security and access, landlords are required to provide tenants with keys to essential areas to mitigate risks from disasters, ensuring tenants have unrestricted access to their homes. Landlords must consult tenants on security measures implemented in the building.
The guidelines also emphasize the necessity of a written contract between landlords and tenants. Rent should be paid by the 10th of each month, with landlords obliged to issue a signed receipt. Moreover, landlords must ensure all necessary utilities and services are operational, and both parties are encouraged to enhance greenery in common areas.
For dispute resolution, if tenants default on rent payments, landlords are advised against direct eviction. Instead, a procedure involving verbal and written warnings is recommended. A two-month notice period is stipulated for contract termination for both parties in residential buildings.
Ward-based landlord and tenant associations are proposed for resolving rent-related disputes, with unresolved issues escalated to the Zonal Executive Officer of the City Corporation. DNCC plans to organize zone-based meetings to raise awareness about the guidelines and ensure compliance.