Rent Assessment Board

Are you a tenant or a landlord? Have you ever encountered problems with a rental agreement? Do you know that you can be protected from these problems in the future? What would happen if a landlord decided to suddenly increase a tenant’s rent or a tenant violated the terms of his/her tenancy?

Do not wait to find out!

As a landlord or a tenant you can register with the Rent Assessment Board, which falls under the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

What is the Rent Assessment Board?

The Rent Assessment Board is a body of persons appointed by the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in accordance with the provisions of the Rent Restriction Act, Chapter 59:50.

The Chairman and two (2) other members sit at any time to adjudicate on matters coming before it.

Where is the Rent Assessment Board located?

There are four Rent Assessment Boards in Trinidad and Tobago:

• Port of Spain - Head Office
110 Henry Street, P.O.S.
625-2670

• San Fernando
11 Independence Avenue San Fernando
657-2005

• Arima
Pro Queen Street, Arima
667-1700

• Tobago
C/o Scarborough Magistrates Court
Bacolet Street, Tobago
639-5370, 639-2215

What does the Board do?

The functions of the Board are as follows:

1. To hear and determine applications whether by landlords or tenants for a review of rent in respect of tenancies of dwelling houses coming under the Rent Restriction (Dwelling Houses) Act, 1981 as amended by the Rent Restriction (Re-enactment and Validation) Act 1991 or in respect of land coming under the Land Tenants (Security of Tenure) Act 1981 as amended by the Land Tenants (Security of Tenure Amendment) Act 1983.
   1. Anyone of the parties concerned with the matter is entitled to be represented by an Attorney -at- Law.
   2. The Board hears evidence under oath from both parties either of whom may cross-examine the other.
   3. Having heard the evidence, the Board visits the dwelling houses or the land in question before making a decision in the matter.
2. To register new Landlords and Tenants in accordance with the Rent Restriction Act 45 of 1981.
3. To keep separate registers of Landlords and Tenants who are registered with the Board.
   1. These are open to the public and may be examined on payment of a fee of one dollar.

What does the Rent Restriction Act govern?

The Rent Restriction (Dwelling Houses Act 45 of 1981)

Act applies to all dwelling houses which were let, whether payable monthly or not, not exceeding ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000) per month, in the case of an unfurnished letting or ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED ($1,500) per month in the case of a furnished letting as at 31st December 1978, or where on that date the house was not the subject of letting at the commencement of the first letting after that date.

Every tenant and every landlord of a dwelling house, whether or not the dwelling- house is one to which this Act applies, shall register with the Rent Assessment Board within three (3) months of the commencement of this Act or of the tenancy, whichever is the later.

It should be noted that the tenant must re-register every time he/she rents another apartment. The landlord registers only once.

What are the benefits of registering with the Rent Assessment Board?

1. Tenant - The tenant may apply to the Board to have his/her rent reviewed on the grounds that the rent is too high.
2. Landlord - The landlord may apply to the Board to review his rent on the grounds that the rent is unreasonably too low.
3. The Board provides Notes of Evidence upon demand with regard to its Court Matters (See Schedule of Stamp Fees)

What is the cost of accessing the services of the Rent Assessment Board?