Homeowners want protection from errant tenants
Speaking exclusively with Virgin Islands News Online, Mrs Frett-Henry said she has been in discussion with several other landlords who seem to share her idea. "The main thing is because we have people who would come rent your property, sometimes for months, without paying and they leave the country and there is nothing you can do," said Mrs Frett-Henry.
She noted that this and other issues of tenants not paying utility bills, damaging properties and moving without giving notice continues to increase. "Home owners have mortgages to pay, some people build their properties to earn a living for themselves when they get up in age and people continue to be dishonest and not committed to their obligations," contended the frustrated home owner.
Setting up the commission, she said, can put home owners in a position to sit as a united body with the relevant government authorities to advocate for systems such as having errant tenants’ names in a database system of HM Customs and Immigration Department to catch them before they leave the territory.
She also suggested the aligning with some legal firms that could assist in the timely handling of legal procedures when it comes to dealing with errant tenants.
"You have instances where some of these cases go to the courts and the tenants would never turn up and we the home owners have to be paying legal fees for an extended time, they don't show up, we still have to pay the lawyer and still end up not getting what monies these tenants owe us," explained Mrs Frett-Henry.
The fact that banks are also stepping up on foreclosures was also taken into consideration. "People got mortgages to pay and you can't go to the bank with the long lists of excuses we get from tenants," she added.
Mrs Frett-Henry said she is willing to move forward with the initiative with the support of others affected.
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36 Responses to “Homeowners want protection from errant tenants”
When you have an apartment for rent as a business, it is just that a business. You have to make allowance for bad debts, but if you attract the right clientele by giving them a decent product and looking after them you will attract a better standard of tenant. Btw - I hope you all pay taxes on your income!
You so right them landlord too greedy
obligation to meet the terms and conditions of the contract.
The tenants agree to make a security deposit(all or partial of which will be return of certain conditions are met) pay a certain sum by a certain time, take reasonable care to protect the property.....etc.
The landlord outside of the expectation of collecting rent when due, paying insurance, property taxes, or mortgage needs to maintain and repair their property in a responsive manner. They especially need to be responsive to repair services that have an immediate impact on tenants health and safety. Additionally, the landlord should hold tenants security deposits in escrow and return it when the lease is terminated consistent with the terms and conditions. The deposit should only be withheld for valid reasons, ie, damages beyond the normal wear and tear.
Moreover, violations of the terms and condition of a landlord-tenant agreement can be be resolve through arbitration or the courts. One role of government is to enforce contracts. Perhaps a small claims court can be established to handle claims below a certain dollar value, eg, $5K.
Further, real estate rental is a business and as in other business it carries risks. There will be excessive damages to property, people will skip out on paying rent, they will pay late, they may partial rent, tenants may be out of work.......etc. A landlord should anticipate and plan for a myriad of events that could adversely affect his/her business. Another commission is not needed; it is just another bureaucracy. There are mechanisms already in place to address breach of contracts.