House Rents in Capital
Much-awaited HC verdict still to come
Though the final hearing regarding the issue of house rents in Dhaka city concluded six months ago, the High Court is yet to deliver a verdict, which is expected to give tenants a respite from arbitrary increase in rents and huge advance payments.
Some Supreme Court lawyers and government law officials believe that it will be a milestone judgment to prevent house owners from treating tenants in an arrogant and autocratic manner and reduce their sufferings to some extent.
Talking to The Daily Star recently, they said it was not possible to say when the verdict would arrive as the HC bench of Justice Mohammad Bazlur Rahman and Justice Md Ruhul Quddus kept the matter waiting for a verdict any day after finishing hearing a related writ petition this January.
The petition, filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh more than three years ago, in April 2010, sought directives for strict enforcement of the House Rent Control Act 1991 so that owners cannot arbitrarily raise rents and take advance payments.
In May 2010, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why it should not be directed to enforce the law properly.
If the HC accepts the prayers of the petition, it may direct the government to form a commission to fix house rents considering the standards of buildings, their amenities, and locations in the capital, said Manzill Murshid, who moved the petition.
If the house rents are set by the commission, around 80 percent of sufferings of the tenants would go away, he said.
Manzill said he urged the court to direct the government to introduce transaction of house rents through banks so that the government can earn revenue from house owners.
House owners in the capital arbitrarily increase rents and evict tenants without notice defying the rent control law, he said.
As per the act, owners have to sign deals with tenants and provide written receipts for rent payments and cannot charge tenants more than one month’s advance rent, he added.
About 80 percent of Dhaka city people live in rented houses, said Manzill. The capital’s population is estimated to be around 1.5 crore.
Deputy Attorney General Goutam Kumar Roy, who opposed the petition, expects that the HC verdict would protect the interests of house owners, tenants and the government.
Perhaps, the judges are taking time to prepare a detailed verdict, he said, adding that the judgement might come after reopening of the court following the annual vacation.
The court went into vacation on August 1 and will reopen on September 15.
-With The Daily Star input
