In the wake of recent evictions witnessed across the country, the proposed Landlord and Tenant Bill, 2021 has gained momentum and it continues to elicit mixed reactions from Kenyans.
National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya sponsored the Bill which seeks to control rents and bar landlords from ejecting tenants for defaulting on rent.
If the Bill is passed landlords are bound to face a six-month jail term or a fine of up to two months of rent for the property in question.
The bill reads, “A landlord and any agent or servant of a landlord who evicts a tenant without the authority of a tribunal or willfully subjects a tenant to any annoyance with the intention of inducing or compelling the tenant to vacate the premises or to pay, directly or indirectly a higher rent for the premises commits an offence.”
According to the Bill, if landlords intend to increase rent they should give a three-month notice.
Furthermore, if they deny tenants basic amenities such as water, garbage collection, and electricity, in a bid to force them to pay up their rent arrears, they could be fined.
The Bill states, “No landlord shall, without legal process, seize a tenant’s property for default in the payment of rent or for the breach of any other obligation of the tenant.”
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